Johnson City in Blanco County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Resting Place of a Founder

James Polk Johnson 1845 - 1885

— Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park —

Resting Place of a Founder Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 21, 2018

1. Resting Place of a Founder Marker

Inscription. Born in Alabama on August 24, 1845, James Polk Johnson was still a child when his family moved to Texas in search of a better life. As a teenager he served in the Civil War and then joined his uncles Tom and Sam Ealy Johnson in their cattle droving enterprise. For a time it was the largest cattle operation in Blanco and surrounding six counties, but the partnership was eventually dissolved in 1871, and James bought out his uncles' land holdings.

By 1879 local settlers desired a town in the area. At a Fourth of July celebration on Town Creek they selected James Polk Johnson's land for the site of the new community. Although James did not live to see his goal realized, Johnson City became the Blanco County seat in 1890. Little did he know that the town that bears his name would someday also be known as the hometown of his cousin and 36th President of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1845.

Location. 30° 16.669′ N, 98°

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24.96′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Texas, in Blanco County. Marker is on West Pecan Drive east of Avenue L, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in front of the James Polk Johnson Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnson City TX 78636, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Polk Johnson (here, next to this marker); Blanco County Trail Drives (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frontier Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Land Transformed (approx. ¼ mile away); Dr. James Odiorne (approx. ¼ mile away); Johnson Settlement (approx. ¼ mile away); James Polk Johnson Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Sam Ealy Johnson, Sr. (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 21, 2018

2. Resting Place of a Founder Marker

Marker is partially visible at the right of the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.