Near Indianola in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ed Bell

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

1. Ed Bell Marker

Inscription. Famed storyteller David Edward "Ed" Bell was born to Calvin Oscar, Sr. and Annie (Shackelford) Bell on January 10, 1905, near Leakey, Texas. After moving to Indianola, Bell and his wife, Mary Alma (Smith), bought land along Powderhorn Bayou where they established what his customers called "Ed Bell's Fish Camp." Visitors to the fish camp were charmed by Bell's tall tales and over the decades he gained notoriety as a "Virtuoso Storyteller" performing at story-telling events across the country. Locally, Bell contributed to the economic growth of Indianola and, through his stories, preserved its cultural history.

Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17138.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1905.

Location. 28° 30.673′ N, 96° 29.273′ W. Marker is near Indianola, Texas, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of Bell Street and Ocean Drive, on the right when traveling south on Bell Street. The marker is located on the northeast side of the Indianola Fishing Marina. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 Bell Street, Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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,

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: Site of the Town of Indianola (approx. ¾ mile away); The Chihuahua Road (approx. ¾ mile away); Calhoun County Courthouse (approx. ¾ mile away);

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Sgt. William Henry Barnes (approx. 1.4 miles away); Indianola Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Rene Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Salle (approx. 1.7 miles away); Louis Antoine Andry (approx. 1.7 miles away); Indianola (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianola.

The Ed Bell Marker and Fish Camp image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

2. The Ed Bell Marker and Fish Camp

The view of the Ed Bell Marker from the parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

3. The view of the Ed Bell Marker from the parking lot

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 714 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.