The Coleman Brothers & the Lonesome Boys perform Saturday during Ben Wheeler’s birthday bash. Courtesy Photos BEN WHEELER — About 2,000 people attended this Van Zandt County town’s birthday bash on Saturday as bluegrass musicians performed and a historical marker was unveiled.

“Having the unveiling for the Alamo Institute during the Ben Wheeler Birthday Bash reinforced our goals with the event,” Brooks Gremmels said. “The bash brought Ben Wheeler’s past, present and future together — and what better way to solidify the Institute’s place in time than at the event?”

The Coleman Brothers and the Lonesome Boys performed, mule-drawn wagon rides were given, and exhibits, bounce houses and a “museum for a day” were on display.

“It was an intimate affair, during which the community really had a chance to see and learn about this great town’s roots and where we’re headed,” Gremmels said. “To me, it was a great success!”

Participants take a wagon ride during Ben Wheeler’s birthday bash on Saturday. Part of the day was devoted to the unveiling of a historical marker where the Alamo Institute, a former school adjacent to the park, operated during the 19th century, when Ben Wheeler was known as “The Alamo City.”

Among those who attended were Judge Rhita Koches, Van Zandt County Commissioner Ron Carroll,, Lawrence Greer of the Van Zandt County Historical Commission, and Shelby Davidson, a direct descendant of the Alamo Institute founder.

In the 1890s, Ben Wheeler was home to the Alamo Institute downtown. It was established by James F. Davidson and managed by faculty and a board of directors.

Gremmels’ Ben Wheeler Development Company and the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation host the annual event.

Ben Wheeler was a postal carrier contracted to carry mail from Canton to Edom on a mail-toting mule. Originally called Clough, the town was renamed Ben Wheeler in 1878.