Near Richards in Montgomery County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Algernon "Texas” Alexander

Photographed By James Hulse, October 4, 2022

1. Algernon "Texas” Alexander Marker

Inscription. Algernon Alexander is internationally recognized as a father of Texas Blues. Born into abject poverty on September 12, 1900 in Jewett, Leon County, Texas, Algernon was raised in Richards, Texas, by his grandmother, Sally Beavers. While working in the cotton fields and for the railroad, Alexander learned the "Blues," a new expressive style of emotional and spiritual music sung by African Americans. Alexander made over 69 recordings for Okeh and Vocalion records as "Texas" Alexander from the late 1920s to the early 1950s, including the first known recording of the famous folk song "House of the Rising Sun" Alexander played with the top Blues artists of the era, including the Mississippi Sheiks and Lonnie Johnson. He mentored dozens of others, including his nephew Lightnin' Hopkins, his cousin Frankie Lee Sims and Lowell Fulson. Algernon "Texas" Alexander died in poverty in Richards, Texas, on April 14, 1954.

Erected 2016 by Texas Blues Enthusiasts and Montgomery County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1954.

Location. 30° 33.037′ N, 95° 48.38′ W. Marker is near Richards, Texas, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached

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from County Highway 209, ¼ mile east of Bays Chapel Road. The marker is located in the northeast section of the Long Street Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richards TX 77873, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bay's Chapel Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away); Bay's Chapel Methodist Church (approx. 3.7 miles away); Pool's Cemetery (approx. 4.3 miles away); Shiro Presbyterian Church (approx. 6.6 miles away); Anthony Drew Kennard (approx. 6.9 miles away); Ebenezer Baptist Church (approx. 7.1 miles away); Old Oakland Cemetery (approx. 8.2 miles away); Oakland Baptist Church (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richards.

Also see . . .
1. Alger "Texas" Alexander. Wikipedia

A short man with a big, deep voice, Alexander started his career performing on the streets and at parties and picnics in the Brazos River bottomlands, where he sometimes worked with Blind Lemon Jefferson. In 1927, he began a recording career that continued into the 1930s, recording sides for Okeh Records and Vocalion Records in New York, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.

(Submitted on October 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Texas blues. Wikipedia

Texas blues began to appear in the early 1900s among African Americans who worked in oilfields, ranches and
Photographed By James Hulse, October 4, 2022

2. Algernon "Texas” Alexander Marker and Gravestone (flat on ground)
lumber camps. In the 1920s, Blind Lemon Jefferson innovated the style by using jazz-like improvisation and single string accompaniment on a guitar; Jefferson's influence defined the field and inspired later performers. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many bluesmen moved to cities including Galveston, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas. It was from these urban centers that a new wave of popular performers appeared, including slide guitarist and gospel singer Blind Willie Johnson. Future bluesmen, such as, Lightnin' Hopkins, Lil' Son Jackson, and T-Bone Walker were influenced by these developments. Robert Johnson's two recording sessions both took place in Texas, although he was from Mississippi.

(Submitted on October 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Algernon "Texas” Alexander Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 4, 2022

3. Algernon "Texas” Alexander Gravestone

The Algernon "Texas” Alexander Marker at the back of the Long Street Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 4, 2022

4. The Algernon "Texas” Alexander Marker at the back of the Long Street Cemetery

The entrance to the Long Street Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 4, 2022

5. The entrance to the Long Street Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.