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

Fred Lewis

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 20, 2023

1. Fred Lewis Marker

Inscription. Educator, NAACP officer and civil rights activist Fred Lewis (1912-2002), managed Ruth Starr Blake's estate after he returned from WWII. Lewis was influential in restoring voting rights for African American Texans. The first White Citizens Party was formed in 1878 in Harrison County by several officers of the Texas and Pacific Railroad, including Amory Starr (1847-1906). In 1923, the Texas legislature passed a law that excluded African Americans from voting in the Democratic Party primary. Fred Lewis advanced the case, Perry v. Cyphers, to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by raising funds and partnering with statewide NAACP leadership. In 1951, the court decision ended the white primary system and restored the vote to African Americans in Harrison County.

Erected 2019 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 22648.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights.

Location. 32° 32.521′ N, 94° 22.249′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Texas, in Harrison County. It is at the intersection of West Travis Street and

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South Fulton Street, on the right when traveling west on West Travis Street. Located in Starr Family Home State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 West Travis Street, Marshall TX 75670, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Comforts of Home (here, next to this marker); Starr Family Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Starr Family Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Weisman-Hirsch House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Albert & Katie Van Hook House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Arnot House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Turner House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trinity Episcopal Church

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 20, 2023

2. Fred Lewis Marker

To the left is the Comforts of Home Marker.

(approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.