Weatherford in Parker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Governor S.W.T. Lanham

(July 4, 1846 - July 29, 1908)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 20, 2023

1. Governor S.W.T. Lanham Marker

Inscription. A South Carolinian, Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham volunteered at age 15 and fought 1861-65 in the Civil War. In 1866 he married Sarah Beona Meng and moved to Texas. The Lanhams taught school, first in Bowie County, then in Weatherford. Admitted to the bar in 1869, Lanham in 1871 became district attorney for five counties, including Parker. Also in 1871 he began to build his home at this site, enlarging it later.

His speeches in 1871 at the trial of Indian chiefs in the Warren Wagon Train Massacre brought him fame at age 25. Elected United States Congressman in 1882 for the 98-county "jumbo" district of West Texas, he served as a national lawmaker for 17 years.

S.W.T. Lanham was the last Confederate veteran to be governor of Texas, 1903-07. He led in reviving East Texas iron works, began fiscal balance practices in state government, and invoked social justice. Laws made in response to his policies covered vital tax reforms, child labor curbs, uniform textbooks, and the Terrell Election Law to enable voters to nominate officials by ballot rather than in conventions.

Governor and Mrs. Lanham had eight children, including U.S. Congressman Fritz Lanham. The Ex-Governor died here at his home and is buried in Weatherford.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission

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. (Marker Number 2235.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 32° 45.147′ N, 97° 48.033′ W. Marker is in Weatherford, Texas, in Parker County. It is on South Alamo Street near West Simmons Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 604 S Alamo Street, Weatherford TX 76086, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Twentieth Century Club (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church of Weatherford (approx. 0.3 miles away); Woolfolk-McCall House (approx. 0.3 miles away); James Claude Wright House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Prince Memorial CME Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); All Saints' Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Franco-Texan Land Company Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chandor Gardens (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weatherford.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 20, 2023

2. Governor S.W.T. Lanham Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 457 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.