Temple in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Organization of the Texas Forestry Association
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 6, 2015
1. Site of Organization of the Texas Forestry Association Marker
One of Texas’ oldest conservation organizations. W. Goodrich Jones (1860-1950), who came to Temple as a banker in 1888, felt need for trees in this prairie town. He led planting drives in Temple, and in 1889 saw to establishment of a statewide Arbor Day.
Asked by the chief U.S. forester to survey Texas forest resources, Jones later enlisted aid of friends. On Nov. 1, 1914, he and about 20 associates met in the Carnegie library, then adjacent to the Temple public square, and organized the Texas Forestry Association. This body’s original aim, to gain public support for a state department of forestry, was accomplished within a year. The department was created by law in 1915; it was later retitled “Texas Forest Service”.
The Texas Forestry Association has since aided in the restoration of 11,500,000 acres of commercial forests—lifeblood of a large segment of the Texas economy. Over 2,000 woodland owners, tree farmers, industrialists, professional foresters, and concerned citizens are TFA members. Under such leaders as Jones, who served as president in 1914-21, the TFA has been the voice of forestry in Texas, urging expansion, protection, proper management, and wise use of all forests and related resources.
Erected 1974 by Texas Historical Commission.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1914.
Location. 31° 5.835′ N, 97° 20.472′ W. Marker is in Temple, Texas, in Bell County. Marker is at the intersection of N. Main Street and Adams Avenue (Texas Highway 53), on the left when traveling north on N. Main Street. Marker is in front of the Temple City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 N Main St, Temple TX 76501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City of Temple (here, next to this marker); Pool of Tears Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Temple Public Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Knob Creek Lodge No. 401 (about 300 feet away); First United Methodist Church Of Temple (about 500 feet away); Site of 42nd Reunion of Hood's Texas Brigade (about 500 feet away); Christ Episcopal Church of Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bernard Moore Temple (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Temple.
Also see . . . Texas Forestry Association. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on October 26, 2015.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 6, 2015
2. Texas Forestry Association and
City of Temple Markers
City of Temple Markers
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 6, 2015
3. Plaque under the Texas Forestry Association Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 6, 2015
4. Temple City Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 26, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
