Charles William Tait (1815-1878), A physician, civil engineer, U.S. Naval officer (1838-1843), came to Texas from Alabama in 1844, surveyed extensive lands for railroads and opened 6,000-acre Sylvania Plantation. Here he grew cotton, corn, cane and produced lime. His slaves hewed logs and fired brick in plantation kiln, then built headquarters compound 1847. Originally beside the family cemetery (1 mi. S), the headquarters was relocated on higher ground at present site. Double log barn and slave cabin were moved here and restored in 1969-70 by a grandson, Robert Elbert Tait. (1973)