Johnson City in Blanco County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Dr. James F. Barnwell
Dr. Barnwell arrived in Johnson City in a horse-drawn buggy in 1898. His first office was in a building west of the Blanco County Jail, consisting of his office and a room to mix medications. Dr. Barnwell built Blanco County’s first hospital on the east side of the courthouse square in 1913. His residence was on the first floor and the hospital was on the second floor. The hospital was equipped with the county’s first x-ray machine and a Delco plant to furnish electricity for better lighting.
Dr. Barnwell served Blanco County as a physician, surgeon and respected community leader. He was married to Agnes Wall with whom he had two children. Upon her death, he married Irene Lewis, with whom he had one child. Irene was a nurse who worked beside her husband. Dr. Barnwell was also a member of the Johnson City School Board, president of Johnson City State Bank, and county health physician. Dr. Barnwell died on June 16, 1934 and was buried in the Johnson City Masonic Cemetery. His obituary in the Johnson City Record Courier called him a “skilled and able surgeon” who had established “one of the best small town hospitals in the Hill Country.”
Erected 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17678.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine.
Location. 30° 16.703′ N, 98° 24.649′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Texas, in Blanco County. Marker is on North Avenue G south of East Cypress Stret, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 North Avenue G, 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. Blanco County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Blanco County (within shouting distance of this marker); 1894 Blanco County Jail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Blanco County Courthouse: One Hundred Years of History (about 300 feet away); Blanco County Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); Blanco County Veterans Memorial Flagpole (about 300 feet away); Dr. James Odiorne (about 400 feet away); James Polk Johnson Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.