Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Daily Sentinel
Photographed by Brian Anderson, April 10, 2021
1. The Daily Sentinel Marker
Inscription.
The Daily Sentinel. . The first newspapers in Texas, beginning in 1813, all had direct links to Nacogdoches. The leading family in the newspaper business was that of Col. R.D. Orton and his nephews, Robert W. (R.W.) and Giles Haltom. In 1899, following years of weekly newspapers, R.W., Giles and W.H. Harris established a daily newspaper under the name The Daily Phone. After six months, the paper became the Daily Sentinel. Initially, R.W. edited and managed the Daily Sentinel and Giles operated the presses. In addition to editorials, the Sentinel featured special editions to push for civic improvements, to note community accomplishments or to highlight the amenities of the region. A Weekly Sentinel was founded in 1900 and operated until 1936. When R.W. was elected to the Texas State Legislature in 1904, Giles took over the paper. The change became permanent when R.W. became ill and died in 1907., In 1918, responding to the clamor for news during World War I, an Associated Press wire service was added which drastically changed the format and content of the paper. Giles Haltom led the Sentinel until 1944 when it was sold to a local consortium. After World War II, Victor B. Fain returned to the Sentinel as editor. Fain's editorials, leadership and positive influence guided Nacogdoches through many crises. The paper moved locations in October 1950 to North Fredonia Street and featured modern efficient equipment. In 2007, the Sentinel was honored with the Gov. James M. Cox public service award. Over the last century, the Sentinel emerged from its frontier past to become a record of the movements, history and progress of Nacogdoches.
The first newspapers in Texas, beginning in 1813, all had direct links to Nacogdoches. The leading family in the newspaper business was that of Col. R.D. Orton and his nephews, Robert W. (R.W.) and Giles Haltom. In 1899, following years of weekly newspapers, R.W., Giles and W.H. Harris established a daily newspaper under the name The Daily Phone. After six months, the paper became the Daily Sentinel. Initially, R.W. edited and managed the Daily Sentinel and Giles operated the presses. In addition to editorials, the Sentinel featured special editions to push for civic improvements, to note community accomplishments or to highlight the amenities of the region. A Weekly Sentinel was founded in 1900 and operated until 1936. When R.W. was elected to the Texas State Legislature in 1904, Giles took over the paper. The change became permanent when R.W. became ill and died in 1907.
In 1918, responding to the clamor for news during World War I, an Associated Press wire service was added which drastically changed the format and content of the paper. Giles Haltom led the Sentinel until 1944 when it was sold to a local consortium. After World War II, Victor B. Fain returned to the Sentinel as editor. Fain's editorials, leadership and positive influence guided Nacogdoches through many crises.
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The paper moved locations in October 1950 to North Fredonia Street and featured modern efficient equipment. In 2007, the Sentinel was honored with the Gov. James M. Cox public service award. Over the last century, the Sentinel emerged from its frontier past to become a record of the movements, history and progress of Nacogdoches.
Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17345.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 31° 36.234′ N, 94° 39.243′ W. Marker is in Nacogdoches, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. It is at the intersection of North Fredonia Street and Commerce Street, on the right when traveling south on North Fredonia Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nacogdoches TX 75961, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. 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 Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 639 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2021, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.
