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

W. Goodrich Jones

(1860-1950)

Photographed By James Hulse, September 28, 2022

1. W. Goodrich Jones Marker

Inscription. Known as "Father of Forestry in Texas". Came to Temple, 1888, as a banker. Planted first tree (a pecan) in town; this led to establishing Arbor Day in Texas in 1889, through legislation introduced by Sen. Geo. W. Tyler.

In 1914 Jones organized Texas Forestry Association, which saw creation of Texas Department of Forestry signed into law in 1915 by Gov. James E. Ferguson.

For 60 years, Jones advocated conservation. A state forest at Conroe and this park bear his name. A fellowship in forestry conservation and research has been established by his family.

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2849.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 31° 5.517′ N, 97° 21.338′ W. Marker is in Temple, Texas, in Bell County. Marker is at the intersection of West Avenue H and South 23rd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Avenue H. The marker is located on the southwest corner of the Jones Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1102 West Avenue H, Temple TX 76504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cora Anderson Negro Hospital (approx. half a mile away); Ralph Wilson, Sr.

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(approx. half a mile away); Bernard Moore Temple (approx. 0.7 miles away); Grace United Methodist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Log Cabin Study of Dr. Arthur Carroll Scott (approx. ¾ mile away); Bird Creek Battlefield (approx. 0.9 miles away); Pool of Tears Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of Organization of the Texas Forestry Association (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Temple.

Also see . . . Jones, William Goodrich (1860–1950). Texas State Historical Association

During his early years Jones made repeated trips through East Texas, observing the developing lumber industry, which followed the penetration of the piney woods by the railroads. In 1898 B. E. Fernow, chief of the United States Bureau of Forestry, made a trip to Texas and asked Jones to make a survey of the region and write a report on the condition and future of forestry in Texas. The resulting document became a blueprint for conservationists in Texas. Jones denounced the haste and waste of the large logging operators and predicted that under current methods
Photographed By James Hulse, September 28, 2022

2. W. Goodrich Jones Marker
the great forest would disappear within twenty-five years. He recommended that the state and federal governments cooperate to regulate a planned-cutting, sustained-yield, systematic reforestation program that would prolong the life of the Texas forest indefinitely.

(Submitted on October 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the W. Goodrich Jones Marker in the Jones Parks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, September 28, 2022

3. The view of the W. Goodrich Jones Marker in the Jones Parks

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.