Who to call in Markham

The present site of Markham was part of Etherton League No. 29, which was acquired by Daniel Etherton and Richard Graves from the Republic of Texas on July 10, 1845. Abel Pierce later bought this area to use for ranching and grazing. It was then purchased by the Moore-Cortes Company for rice farming.

Originally called "Tent City," Markham was named for Charles Henry Markham, who was the general manager of the Southern Pacific Lines at the time.

Today Markham is a thriving community with numerous small businesses and a population which approached 2,000 during the construction of the STNP south of town. The Marathon Oil Plant, built in 1951, is nearby on FM 2157. It is still producing oil and gas and drilling for new wells continues. Transcontinental Pipeline, also on FM 2157, began operation in 1979.