Montrose in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Louis Wiltz Kemp
(September 4, 1881 - November 15, 1956)
Kemp became a Texas history expert, a tireless speaker and a prolific writer of books, articles and biographies (notably The Heroes of San Jacinto and The Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence). He was president of the Texas State Historical Association and an original member of the Texas State Historical Survey Committee (now Texas Historical Commission). He chaired the Advisory Board of Texas Historians for the 1936 Texas Centennial, directing placement of more than 1,100 markers, monuments, and buildings across Texas. An organizing trustee and long-time president of the San Jacinto Museum of History Association, he was instrumental in creating the San Jacinto Museum and Monument on which is carved Kemp's summary of the Battle of San Jacinto.
Kemp married Violet Volz in 1925, and they had three sons. He lived at 214 Westmoreland Avenue in Houston from 1919 until his death, amassing an extensive collection of books and records on Texas history. Kemp is buried in the Texas State Cemetery. Governor Price Daniel wrote, "Louis Wiltz Kemp ranks with the immortals of Texas history. To my knowledge, no other person did more during his lifetime to preserve the great heritage of Texas."
Erected 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17503.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 29° 44.431′ N, 95° 23.087′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Montrose. Marker is on Westmoreland Street, 0.1 miles west of Flora Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located on the east side of the front yard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 Westmoreland Street, Houston TX 77006, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Waldo Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Gilmer-Cage-Cohn House (within shouting distance of this marker); Harper House (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ezekial and Mary Jane Miller House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Blue Bird Circle (approx. 0.2 miles away); James L. Autry House (approx. ¼ mile away); Courtlandt Place (approx. ¼ mile away); South Main Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Also see . . . Kemp, Louis Wiltz (1881–1956). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
At the end of his career he was considered one of the best informed men on Texas history. He checked and verified numerous inscriptions on historical monuments and, along with others, located the massacre site and burial place of James W. Fannin's men. Kemp was the prime mover in the plan to construct the San Jacinto Monument and Museum and was instrumental in having drives built in the San Jacinto battleground so that spots previously accessible only by foot or on horseback might easily be reached. He was a member of the board of the Texas State Library and chairman of the board of Texas historians for the Texas Centennial.(Submitted on November 5, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.