Port Acres in Port Arthur in Jefferson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Port Arthur College Radio Tower

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, January 16, 2026

1. Port Arthur College Radio Tower Marker

Inscription. Originally towering 180 feet above the campus of Port Arthur College, this radio tower was constructed in 1909. Due largely to the efforts of local community leader John W. Gates (1855-1911), the college offered instruction in wireless telegraphy. Equipment for the tower was donated by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company. Later adapted for radio broadcasting, the tower is no longer in use; but stands as a reminder of Port Arthur College and its early innovative programs in the field of communications.

Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15011.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 29° 52.776′ N, 93° 55.582′ W. Marker is in Port Arthur, Texas, in Jefferson County. It is in Port Acres. It can be reached from Lakeshore Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1501 Lakeshore Drive, Port Arthur TX 77640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Golden Triangle.

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is also in the American South,

on the Gulf Coast,

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: Ruby Ruth Fuller Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Gates Memorial Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port Arthur College (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Gates Memorial Library (about 400 feet away); Arthur Edward Stilwell (about 600 feet away); Lakeshore/Lions Park (about 700 feet away); Vuylsteke House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Federated Women's Clubs Of Port Arthur (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Arthur.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, April 18, 2025

2. Port Arthur College Radio Tower Marker

Port Arthur College Radio Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, April 18, 2025

3. Port Arthur College Radio Tower

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 20, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2025, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.