Temple in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ralph Wilson, Sr.
(April 10, 1901 - January 31, 1972)
Following a heart attack in 1954, he sold the company and planned to retire, but the break was short-lived. Partnering with American Desk Company and the Wynnewood Group, he founded Ralph Wilson Plastics (now Wilsonart International) in Temple. In the next few years, he transformed this new enterprise into what over time became the nation's and later the world's largest producer of high pressure decorative laminate. Wilson shared his wealth with the community. His will established the Ralph Wilson Public Trust that poured thousands of dollars annually into the community through non-profit organizations serving the arts, people with special needs, children and the poor. Wilson's lasting legacy of generosity and public service continues through the Ralph Wilson Youth Club that he founded.
Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18174.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 31° 5.102′ N, 97° 21.533′ W. Marker is in Temple, Texas, in Bell County. Marker is on South 25th Street, 0.2 miles south of West Avenue M, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located on the left side of the front entrance to the Ralph Wilson Youth Club. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1515 South 25th Street, 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. Log Cabin Study of Dr. Arthur Carroll Scott (approx. ¼ mile away); W. Goodrich Jones (approx. half a mile away); Claudia Potter, M.D. (approx. half a mile away); Wilma Carlton (approx. half a mile away); Former Site of Scott & White School of Nursing (approx. half a mile away); Scott & White Hospital (approx. half a mile away); Arthur Carroll Scott, Sr., M.D. (approx. half a mile away); Raleigh R. White, Jr., M.D. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Temple.
Also see . . . Club History. Ralph Wilson Youth Club
The Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple, Inc. evolved from the Temple Boys Club, organized through the efforts of several Temple citizens in 1965. The original Board of Directors applied to the State of Texas for a corporate charter for the Club and received the charter February 9, 1965. The longtime home of the Ralph Wilson Boys Club facility was built and paid for by Ralph Wilson, Sr. in 1970. In its early years, the Temple Boys Club was affiliated with Boys Clubs of America.(Submitted on October 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
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 195 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.