Near Homer in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
T. H. Harris
Photographed by Wesley Harris, November 2, 2020
1. T. H. Harris Marker
Thomas H. Harris served as State Superintendent of Education from 1908 to 1940. His tenure was the longest and, arguably, the most successful in the history of Louisiana education. Under his leadership, Louisiana's public school system transitioned from it meager beginnings to a system in which all children in the state had access to fairly good schools.
Harris was born on March 16, 1869, on a 250-acre farm two miles south of this marker. Following his father's death in 1881, 12-year-old Harris and his brother assumed responsibility for the family farm, which prevented his attending school until 1889 at age 21. He progressed rapidly in his classes at the Lisbon Academy and began teaching in various rural schools. He also attended Homer College for the 1891 session, followed by a year of study at the Louisiana State Normal School in Natchitoches in 1893. After holding a series of teaching positions around the state, he was appointed Superintendent of Education by Governor J. Y. Sanders in 1908. Harris died February 24, 1942, and is buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Baton Rouge.
Erected 2020 by Claiborne Parish Library.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics • Heroes. A significant historical date for this entry is February 24, 1942.
Location. 32° 48.448′ N, 92° 57.978′ W. Marker is near Homer, Louisiana, in Claiborne Parish. It is at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Arizona Road, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 2. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22491 Highway 2, Homer LA 71040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Louisiana. It is also 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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Arizona Academy Site (approx. 1.4 miles away); Arizona Methodist Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Sheriff Pat Garrett (approx. 3.3 miles away); Claiborne Parish Court House (approx. 5.3 miles away); Claiborne Parish War Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Hotel Claiborne (approx. 5.3 miles away); Parish Courthouse (approx. 5.3 miles away); Homer College (CME) / African American Education in Louisiana (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Homer.
Additional commentary.
1. Thomas is not his real name.
Thomas H. Harris was not his real name. Heres how he describes it. My name is not Thomas H. Harris, but Lee Marcus Harris. The name by which I have been known all my life developed as follows: When I was about three days old, my next older brother, Ausey, three years of age at the time, was invited to inspect his baby brother. Ausie looked me over and said, "Little Tom. And Tom I was thenceforth and forever. The middle initial 'H', which stands for nothing, was added later. Source: Minden Press-Herald
— Submitted April 1, 2024.
2. Research and composition of marker text.
The text of this marker was researched, composed and submitted to the State Office of Tourism by Vincent P. Ory and Beverly E. Smith of Claiborne Parish. The marker was sponsored by the Claiborne Parish Library.
— Submitted June 1, 2025, by Vincent P. Ory of Lisbon, Louisiana.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2021, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 1,169 times since then and 109 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2025, by Vincent P. Ory of Lisbon, Louisiana. Photo 1. submitted on August 23, 2021, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of reverse side, add text to inscription and a wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
