Shamrock in Wheeler County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Glenn Truax

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2025

1. Glenn Truax Marker

Inscription. Born in Cherryvale, Kansas, in 1896 to parents Abraham Lincoln and Lucretia Belle (Hart) Truax, Alvah Glenn Truax was a famed musician and creator of the Shamrock St. Patrick's Day Festival. Truax was a talented violinist from childhood. After serving in a military band during World War I, he graduated from Kansas State Teachers College and married Helen Brittain. Truax gained renown organizing school music departments and bands. During the Depression, parents often paid him with barter instead of cash. In 1935, the City of Shamrock offered Truax a salary to direct a municipal band. Upon arrival he was astonished to learn the city did not have a festival celebrating Irish heritage, despite its extremely Irish name. Truax and the booster club worked together to stage the first annual St. Patrick's Day Festival in 1938. The event's programming included a parade, boxing matches, football game, lecture on Irish history and the crowning of the first Miss Irish Rose. Twelve thousand people attended. This celebration would continue yearly, with tens of thousands attending. Later, the Texas Legislature designated

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the Shamrock St. Patrick's Day Festival as the official Texas celebration of the holiday.

In 1940, Glenn Truax left Shamrock to direct Perryton's Ranger Band. Later, he obtained a master's degree and served as president of the North Texas Band and Orchestra Association. Then, he served as the director of the West Texas State College band. In 1949, he attempted to retire, but love of music pulled him back each time to direct bands and music departments in Panhandle towns such as Canyon, Groom, Gruver and Morse. Truax died in 1968 in Wichita, Kansas, and is buried in Gruver (Hansford Co.).

Erected 2021 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23286.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 35° 12.938′ N, 100° 14.94′ W. Marker is in Shamrock, Texas, in Wheeler County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 83) and East 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 N Main St,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2025

2. Glenn Truax Marker

Shamrock TX 79079, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

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: Shamrock’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Blarney Stone Plaza (a few steps from this marker); The Legend of St. Patrick and the Shamrock (a few steps from this marker); Shamrock Water Tower (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Years: Shamrock in 1912 (about 500 feet away); Construction Planning (about 500 feet away); Chicago Bridge and Iron: A Tower Takes Shape (about 500 feet away); The Raising of Shamrock's Tower (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shamrock.

Also see . . . The History of St. Patrick's in Shamrock, Texas.

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In 1937, a Shamrock bandmaster named Glenn Truax had a grand idea to host a Shamrock St. Patrick's Day Celebration. (Shamrock St. Patrick's Association) (Submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.