Texarkana in Bowie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Jamison Building

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025

1. The Jamison Building Marker

Inscription.
Mississippi-born Dr. Garling Urih Jamison, Sr., (1881-1951) opened this structure in 1930 as Texarkana's first black business and professional office building. Designed by the Texarkana architectural firm of Witt, Seibert, and Halsey, it features an interesting and decorative use of brick. The Jamison Building became a center of economic, cultural, and social life in the city's black community and has remained an important local landmark.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 1983

Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9488.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 33° 25.225′ N, 94° 2.866′ W. Marker is in Texarkana, Texas, in Bowie County. It is at the intersection of West 3rd Street and Oak Street, on the right when traveling west on West 3rd Street. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the northwest corner of the subject building, facing West 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 523 West 3rd Street, Texarkana TX 75501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 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: Saenger Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Otis Williams & The Temptations Mural

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); First Disciples of Christ in Texas (approx. 0.3 miles away); Offenhauser Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); “Ace of Clubs” House (approx. 0.3 miles away); East Broad Street Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away in Arkansas); Booth-Rowe Building (approx. 0.4 miles away in Arkansas); St. James Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Texarkana.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Jamison Building awarded grant for renovations (KSLA News).

(By By Fred Gamble, 10/6/2022) Excerpt: Built in 1930, the Jamison Building is a Texas Historic Landmark in downtown. At one time, the building served as the location for several Black professionals in the area. Over the past 30 years, no one has occupied the building, leaving it in need of repair. Property Manager Cylestine Thornton says she’s been working for years to revive the area, and now they’re getting help from the state. A $50,000 grant from the Texas Rural African American Heritage group was awarded for work on the building.

(Submitted on October 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025

2. The Jamison Building Marker

The Texas Historical Commission Medallion is mounted directly above the historical marker.

2. Garling Uriah Jamison, Sr. (Texas State Historical Association).

(By David Park) Excerpt: Garling Uriah Jamison, Sr., Pioneer African-American physician and surgeon and community leader, was born in Smithville, Mississippi. Jamison attended his hometown’s namesake high school before entering Mississippi State Normal School for his undergraduate degree and then attaining an M.D. from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, in 1902. In 1906 Jamison moved his family to Texarkana where he began his medical practice. He eventually opened the Jamison Sanitarium in that city and served there as the chief surgeon. Jamison was active in his local community and served as president of the Texarkana Negro Business League.
The Jamison building — originally called the Jamison-Thompson-Weatherford building for Dr. W. T. Thompson and A. W. Weatherford — was built in 1930 to serve as an office complex for African Americans in Texarkana. The two-story structure included five suites and five separate offices on the top floor, six office spaces on the first floor, and a 200-seat auditorium for community meetings, concerts, and other gatherings. At its peak, the establishment housed three doctors, three dentists, two insurance agencies
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025

3. The Jamison Building Marker
The marker is mounted at eye-level on the northwest corner of the subject building, facing West 3rd Street.
and two notaries, a realtor, bonding company, beauty parlor, county agent, public stenographer, drug store, and barber shop, among other businesses.

(Submitted on October 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The Jamison Building Marker (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025

4. The Jamison Building Marker (northwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.