Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The First County Agricultural Extension Agent
Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 9, 2015
1. The First County Agricultural Extension Agent Marker
At a time of low crop production and depressed farm economy, Smith County became the birthplace of the County Agricultural Agent concept. This occurred in an historic meeting Nov. 12, 1906, in an opera house near this site. Present were Dr. Seaman A. Knapp of the United States Department of Agriculture, County Judge S. A. Lindsey, and some 44 local leaders—many belonging to the Tyler Commercial Club which sought to underwrite farm improvement.
Smith County that day appointed Wm. C. Stallings (1842-1916) the first county agent in Texas and the first in the nation to serve only one county.
Three years earlier the first cooperative farm demonstration program was begun on the Walter C. Porter property, Kaufman County. That successful application of scientific farming operations and appointment of Stallings (an outstanding farmer of the Dixie community, west of Tyler) were first steps toward establishment of the County Agricultural Agents' system, now known the world over as the Cooperative Extension Service. Today its educational programs further development of agricultural and human resources in both rural and urban areas.
Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7716.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
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Location. 32° 21.064′ N, 95° 18.067′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. Marker is on West Erwin Street east of North College Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Located on the south side of the plaza across from the Smith County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 W Erwin St, Tyler TX 75702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Smith County C.S.A. / Tyler-Smith County C.S.A. Men and Units (a few steps from this marker); City of Tyler (within shouting distance of this marker); Tyler Civic Theatre Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Senator Thomas Glover Pollard (within shouting distance of this marker); Gov. Richard B. Hubbard (within shouting distance of this marker); Tyler Carnegie Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Tyler Commercial College (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Bryan Marsh (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.
Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 9, 2015
2. The First County Agricultural Extension Agent Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
