Bastrop in Bastrop County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Kerr

Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022

1. Kerr Marker

Inscription. The Hon. Robert A. Kerr, political and civic leader, was born in Louisiana in 1833 and by 1855 had moved to Texas where he served as an election judge for San Patricio, Refugio, Calhoun and Victoria counties. After moving to Bastrop he became the first African American from this district to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives (1881 - 1883). In 1892 he was elected a Bastrop School trustee and helped lead efforts to establish a high school for black students. Robert died in 1913; his wife, Sarah, in 1934.

Beverly W. Kerr (1861 - 1941) and his wife Lula B. Kerr (1867 - 1944) were leaders in local church and civic affairs. Beverly was director of the Kerr Orchestra which played for community events, and Lula was the first primary teacher at Emile School in Bastrop. She taught music for 40 years. In 1914 Beverly and Lula established the Kerr Community Center.

Erected 2005 by Bastrop County Historical Society & Kerr Descendant Nelia Kerr Greene.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 30° 6.952′ N, 97° 18.403′ W. Marker is in Bastrop, Texas, in Bastrop County. Marker can be reached

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

from State Highway 95, 0.1 miles north of Farm Street. The marker is located in the northwestern section of the Fairview Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1307 State Hwy 95, Bastrop TX 78602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fairview Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Rangers (within shouting distance of this marker); William Dunbar (within shouting distance of this marker); War Babies (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); H.N. (Man) Bell (about 400 feet away); Robert Love Reding (about 500 feet away); Jesse Halderman (about 600 feet away); Campbell Taylor (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bastrop.

Also see . . . Kerr, Robert A. (1842–1912).

Robert A. Kerr, political leader, state legislator, and civic leader in Bastrop, Texas, was probably born in December 1842 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a White father, known as Major A. Kerr, and a Black mother. He went to Port Lavaca with his father around 1855. He was taught by his father and his father's sister and may have worked as a free Black barber in San Antonio before the Civil War. Sources suggest that he left San Antonio after allegations that he assisted slaves in escape attempts. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on April 20, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Kerr Marker in the Fairview Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022

2. The view of the Kerr Marker in the Fairview Cemetery

The Hon. R.A. Kerr gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022

3. The Hon. R.A. Kerr gravestone

The view of the Kerr Marker from the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022

4. The view of the Kerr Marker from the cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.