Stilwell, Arthur Edward

Son of Charles H. and Mary Stilwell, was born on October 21, 1859, in Rochester, New York. Young Arthur was greatly influenced by his grandfather, railroad builder Hamlin Stilwell, and according to family tradition vowed to be a railroad builder himself one day. He married Virginian Jennie A. Wood in 1879 and after many business successes set his sights on building a railroad system from the farming region of the midwestern U.S. to the Texas Gulf Coast. Stilwell established the town of Port Arthur here on 4,000 acres in 1895. He later extended the Kansas City, Pittsburg, and Gulf Railroad from Shreveport south through western Louisiana to its terminus at Port Arthur. To promote settlement of the area Stilwell established a successful experimental farm, drilled water wells, and built a hotel, indoor swimming pool, and pleasure pier. In 1897 Port Arthur contained about 1,100 inhabitants. by 1900 Stilwell had completed a canal from Mesquite Point (7 miles south at Sabine Pass) to substantial port facilities at Port Arthur. By fulfilling a childhood dream Arthur Stilwell not only founded the town of Port Arthur but in large measure laid the foundation for its future prosperity. Stilwell died on September 26, 1928, and was cremated. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845 - 1995

Stilwell, Arthur Edward is a historical marker in Port Arthur, Jefferson County, dedicated in 1994. It is one of 109 historical markers documented in Jefferson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 137 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.8787, -93.9280 near Port Arthur. The nearest cataloged historic site is Lakeshore/Lions Park (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Gates Memorial Library, Gates Memorial Library, and Gates Memorial Library.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5245010572. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.