Martins Mill in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Lexie Dean Robertson

(July, 25 1893 - February, 16 1954)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 7, 2026

1. Lexie Dean Robertson Marker

Inscription.
Educator and noted poet, Lexie Dean Robertson, was the first native born Texan to be named Poet Laureate of Texas (1939-41). Born in Lindale (Smith Co.) to educators Alexander Green and Lena (Ansley) Dean, Lexie and her family moved to Martin’s Mill shortly after her birth. Her father opened a school here, naming it Lexie Academy after his eldest daughter. Lexie spent much of her formative years in Martin’s Mill, before living in Grand Saline and various other communities. She graduated from Canton High School at the age of 15 and began attending North Texas State Normal College (now the University of North Texas), where she met her future husband, James Franklin Robertson. The couple taught in Texas and Oklahoma, before settling in Rising Star (Eastland Co.), where Lexie worked as a school principal.

By the mid-1920s, Robertson left the education field to focus on her writing career. Known for her homespun poetry, Robertson was published in various publications nationwide and released her first volume of poetry, Red Heels, in 1928. She followed the popular anthology by releasing I Keep a Rainbow (1932), Acorns on the Roof (1939),

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and Answer in the Night (1948). In 1939, a special Texas State Legislative Committee named Robertson Texas Poet Laureate. She also participated in literary clubs and in 1944, was named Poet Laureate of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Lexie Dean Robertson died unexpectedly in Abilene (Taylor Co.) in 1954. She left behind a legacy of literature through the poems read by Texas schoolchildren of all ages and by readers throughout the nation and world.

Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16692.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 32° 24.905′ N, 95° 47.416′ W. Marker is in Martins Mill, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is on Farm to Market Road 1861 0.1 miles south of Old Farm to Market Road 858, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 FM 1861, Canton TX 75103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 7, 2026

2. Lexie Dean Robertson Marker

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Holly Springs United Methodist Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Holly Springs Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Cox Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); Liberty Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); Tidmore Cemetery (approx. 3.4 miles away); Carter Cemetery (approx. 4.4 miles away); Little Hope Baptist Church (approx. 4.6 miles away); Prairie Springs Cemetery (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martins Mill.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.