Rocksprings in Edwards County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Jess L. Hankins and King P-234
Born on April 23, 1905, Jess L. Hankins, who came from a ranching background, moved to his ranch six miles south of Rocksprings in 1925 when he married his wife, Olga Burney, whose family resided in Edwards County. Hankins heard about King from a ranch hand and decided to have a look at the stallion. Dubose showed no interest in selling King but Hankins, determined to buy the stallion, eventually purchased King on July 5, 1937, for $800. Purchasing King propelled Jess and his brothers, J.O. and Lowell, into the quarter horse business.
King died of a heart attack in 1958. Although his death devastated the Hankins family, King’s legacy lives on as he produced 658 foals during his twenty-six years of life, earning his induction into the AGHA hall of fame in 1989. Hankins became known as a pioneer horse breeder and an AGHA hall of fame horseman. Hankins also served as a director of the association in 1951, and as the thirteenth president of the AGHA. Hankins continued to work with horses until his death in 1994. Jess Hankins is buried in the Rocksprings Cemetery.
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18713.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals.
Location. 29° 56.446′ N, 100° 19.447′ W. Marker is in Rocksprings, Texas, in Edwards County. Marker is on Ranch to Market Road 674, 6 miles south of U.S. 377, on the left when traveling south. Hwy 377 South from Rocksprings, turn left onto Ranch Road 674; 6 miles to the Jess Hankins' Ranch, on left. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocksprings TX 78880, 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. Site of Rocksprings' First School Building (approx. 8.6 miles away); First Methodist Church (approx. 8.7 miles away); First Baptist Church of Rocksprings (approx. 8.7 miles away); Headquarters, American Angora Goat Breeders' Assn. (approx. 8.7 miles away); Rocksprings Telephone Company (approx. 8.7 miles away); Edwards County (approx. 8.7 miles away); The Sesquicentennial Committee Erects This Marker (approx. 8.7 miles away); Edwards County Courthouse (approx. 8.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocksprings.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
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