Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Abilene Reporter-News
Photographed By Duane Hall, July 19, 2015
1. Abilene Reporter-News Marker
The oldest existing business institution in Abilene is the Reporter Publishing Company, started by C.E. Gilbert. The first newspaper was printed on June 17, 1881, three months after the town was founded. Soon after Gilbert began publication, a fire destroyed several buildings in town, including his office. He rode the train to Baird (21 mi. E) and, using borrowed presses, published an “extra” edition about the blaze.
Two other Abilene papers were started in the 1880s. Part-time preacher W.L. Gibbs began the “Magnetic Quill” in 1882. Three years later Gilbert’s printer, James L. Lowry, began the “Taylor County News.” One of Lowry’s early editions covered a duel between Gilbert and Gibbs, both of whom survived.
Later “Reporter” owners were Dr. Alf H.H. Toler, John Hoeny, Jr., George S. Anderson, and Marshall Bernard Hanks, a former delivery boy for the paper who was publisher from 1906 to 1948. In 1911 the “Reporter” bought the “News,” resulting in the present name. Hanks and Houston Harte of San Angelo formed the Harte-Hanks Organization, now a national communications firm, which includes the “Reporter-News,” whose motto is: “Without or with offense to friends or foes we sketch your world exactly as it does”--Byron
Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1909.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 32° 26.995′ N, 99° 44.047′ W. Marker was in Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Cypress Street and N. 1st Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located next to the Cypress Street sidewalk near the main entrance to the newspaper. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 101 Cypress St, Abilene TX 79601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Hotel Grace (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas & Pacific Railroad Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); The Texas & Pacific Railway (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away); The Bankhead Highway (about 400 feet away); Pine Street Shootout (about 400 feet away); Site of Curfew by John J. Clinton (about 600 feet away); Hotel Wooten (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.
Also see . . . Abilene Reporter-News. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of
Photographed By Duane Hall, July 19, 2015
2. Abilene Reporter-News Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, July 19, 2015
3. Abilene Reporter-News Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, July 19, 2015
4. View to North Along Cypress Street
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 513 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on November 7, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
