Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Baylor University
Photographed by Gary Estep, June 7, 2026
1. Baylor University Marker
World's largest Baptist University. Founded under charter issued by Congress of Republic of Texas on Feb. 1, 1845, and in continuous operation ever since.
Named for Judge R. E. B. Baylor (1791-1873), a native of Kentucky, an 1820s United States Congressman from Alabama, one of the first district judges in Texas. Judge Baylor, with the Rev. William Tryon and the Rev. James Huckins, obtained the charter under terms of a resolution of the Union Baptist Association to establish "A Baptist University...to meed the needs of all the ages to come". First location was at Independence, in Washington County.
Early Presidents were Henry L. Graves (1847-52); Rufus C. Burleson (1852-61), George W. Baines (1861-63), and William Carey Crane (1863-85). Texas Supreme Court Justices Abner S. Lipscomb, Royal T. Wheeler, and Judge Baylor taught the first law classes. An early benefactor was General Sam Houston, who sent his children to the University and who initiated construction fo the first woman's building.
In 1886 the University moved to Waco, where new schools have been added and the plant enlarged in later years. The Armstrong Browning Library, Texana Collections and other features are world renowned.
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1845.
Location. 31° 32.831′ N, 97° 7.24′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It can be reached from the intersection of MP Daniel Esplanade and South 5th Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is off the footpath in front of the Campus Living and Learning Building on the campus of Baylor University. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waco TX 76706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George W. Carroll Science Hall (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Main (about 600 feet away); Governor Patrick Morris Neff (about 600 feet away); Georgia Burleson and Early Female Education at Baylor (about 700 feet away); Carroll Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Burleson Quadrangle (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Texas Collection (approx. 0.2 miles away); R. E. B. Baylor (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Baylor University. (Submitted on August 25, 2021, by Kevin Hoch of Waco, Texas.)
Photographed by Kayla Harper, August 20, 2022
2. Baylor University Marker
Photographed by Kevin Hoch, August 24, 2021
3. Baylor University Marker
Photographed by Kayla Harper, August 20, 2022
4. Baylor University Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2021, by Kevin Hoch of Waco, Texas. This page has been viewed 743 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2. submitted on August 22, 2022, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. 3. submitted on August 25, 2021, by Kevin Hoch of Waco, Texas. 4. submitted on August 22, 2022, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
