Alice in Jim Wells County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Alice

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 20, 2022

1. Alice Marker

Inscription. In the 1880s, when the lines of the Corpus Christi, San Diego, & Rio Grande and the San Antonio & Aransas Pass railroads intersected, a new townsite was platted at the junction in what was then Nueces County. First called Bandana and then Kleberg, the town was finally named Alice (for Alice King Kleberg) when a post office was granted in 1888. Homes, business, schools, and churches were soon established. Texas Rangers serving in south Texas were headquartered in Alice. P. A. Presnall was elected the first mayor in 1904. Alice became the county seat of newly created Jim Wells County in 1911.

Incise in base: Given in memory of Marguerite A. Mullen Postmaster 1935-1954

Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 117.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 27° 45.134′ N, 98° 4.339′ W. Marker is in Alice, Texas, in Jim Wells County. It is at the intersection of East 2nd Street and North Adams Street, on the right when traveling west on East 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 East 2nd Street, Alice TX 78332, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the

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crow flies: First Baptist Church of Alice (within shouting distance of this marker); First United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church of Alice (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jim Wells County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); McGill Brothers Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Jose de Escandon (approx. ¼ mile away); Jim Wells County (approx. 0.9 miles away); Alice Cemetery (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alice.

Also see . . . Alice, TX - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on March 14, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Additional commentary.
1. Mayors of Alice
CD Jones was mayor from 1938 to 1939. He and his wife also built the Capri Motel, which is still in operation. The original property on North 281 is still in the family. The home has deteriorated in the last 20 years but plans are in place to deconstruct the home and repurpose the wood.

— Submitted January 31, 2025, by Kristen Jones of Alice, Texas.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 20, 2022

2. Alice Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 12, 2026

3. Alice Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.