Walter Prescott Webb's Formative Years
Webb's father, Casner, was a rural schoolteacher and farmer. As he moved to different teaching assignments, the family moved with him. W. P. Webb thus was exposed to the physical geographical variety within the county that was so important to his western thesis. His neighbors were prime sources of frontier lore.
Although Webb's public school experience were infrequent. It was during these formative years in Stephens County that he developed his love of books and his desire to attend college. Also during this time, Webb was contacted by William Hinds of New York, who was to become his benefactor and a great source of encouragement for the young scholar.
In 1906 Walter P. Webb received his teaching certificate and spent the next three years as a rural educator. In 1909, at the age of 21, Webb left his home in Stephens County to pursue his college education at the University of Texas in Austin.
Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5711.)
Topics. This
this page online
Location. 32° 45.335′ N, 98° 54.273′ W. Marker is in Breckenridge, Texas, in Stephens County. It is on W. Walker Street near N. Court Street, on the right when traveling west. Immediately in front of the new Stephens County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W Walker Street, Breckenridge TX 76424, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stephens County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Stephens County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Camp Breckenridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Breckenridge Stephens Walker (within shouting distance of this marker); Old First National Bank Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church of Breckenridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); B.T. Brown House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Breckenridge Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Breckenridge.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2019, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 13, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 9, 2019, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
