Congressman George Mahon
George Herman Mahon (1900-1985) was born in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, to John Kirkpatrick and Lola Willis (Brown) Mahon. In 1908, the family moved to Loraine (Mitchell County), Texas where George grew up on a cotton farm and graduated from Loraine High School. He attended Simmons college (now Hardin-Simmons University) In Abilene and married his high school sweetheart, Helen Stevenson (1900-1987). George received his law degree from The University of Texas and began a law practice in Colorado City.
In 1926 George Mahon began a life in politics as Mitchell
county attorney and then district attorney. Elected to the U.S.
house ore representatives from the newly-created nineteenth
district in 1935, He retained the seat for 44 years. He was one of a
few members of house trusted with knowledge of the atomic
bomb during world war II. In 1949, Mahon was selected to chair a
new subcommittee on defense appropriations and later became the
chairman of the house committee on appropriations. Mahon was
instrumental in such west Texas projects as the reactivation of
Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock and Webb Air Force Base in Big
Spring, as well as construction of interstate 27 from Amarillo to
Lubbock. Mahon accompanied President John F, Kennedy on his trip
to Texas in 1963, and was in the motorcade in Dallas when the
president was killed. After the 1970 tornado in Lubbock, Mahon
persuaded federal officials to grant millions in federal aid to the
city. A new library, built on the site of the devastation, was named
for George and Helen Mahon. When he retired in December 1978,
Mahon was the longest-serving member of the house. He worked
closely with seven of eight U.S. presidents with whom he
served. In 1984 he and his wife returned to Colorado City.
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2017
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1978.
Location. 33° 35.261′ N, 101° 50.951′ W. Marker is in Lubbock, Texas, in Lubbock County. It is at the intersection of 9th Street and Avenue L, on the left when traveling east on 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lubbock TX 79401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Texas’ South Plains. It is also on the American Great Plains, specifically on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. 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 walking distance of this marker: First Methodist Church of Lubbock (approx. Ό mile away); A Tribute to Cotton (approx. 0.3 miles away); Colonel T. S. Lubbock / Texas in the Civil War
Another marker is no longer nearby. Buddy Holly (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
