Johnson City in Blanco County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The LBJ Legacy

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

1. The LBJ Legacy Marker

Inscription. Just as Johnson City helped shape Lyndon Johnson, Lyndon Johnson helped shape the modern face of Johnson City. Throughout the town are buildings that reflect Johnson's quest to ease the hardships he knew here in his youth. The former LBJ Hospital - now the park visitor center (behind you) - is one of them.

The white stone building to the right of the boyhood home is the headquarters of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), one of Lyndon Johnson's most important contributions to the people of the Texas hill country.

Throughout the summer of 1938, freshman congressman Lyndon Johnson stumped hard for rural electrification. His arguments convinced wary farmers and ranchers that the cost would be worth the elimination of hand-pumped water, hand-washed laundry, and red-hot cook stoves. In 1939, electricity flowed to thousands of hill country residents for the first time.

The Pedernales Electric Cooperative
“Of all the things I have ever done, nothing has given me as much satisfaction as bringing power to the Hill Country of Texas.”
- Lyndon Johnson, January 1, 1959

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture

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• Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson, and the Rural Electrification 💡 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 30° 16.475′ N, 98° 24.659′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Texas, in Blanco County. Marker is next to the flagpole at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Site Visitor Center, near Ladybird Lane and Avenue G. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnson City TX 78636, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Johnson City (a few steps from this marker); Johnson Settlement Trail (a few steps from this marker); LBJ Boyhood Home (within shouting distance of this marker); L. B. J. Boyhood Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lyndon B. Johnson and Hill Country Electrification (about 500 feet away); Pedernales Electric Cooperative (about 500 feet away); Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc. (about 600 feet away); E. Babe Smith (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

2. The LBJ Legacy Marker

The LBJ Boyhood Home (white house) is seen in the distance beyond the trees.

Also see . . . LBJ National Historical Site. (Submitted on May 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Pedernales Electric Coop (PEC) Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

3. Pedernales Electric Coop (PEC) Photo on Marker

LBJ standing among friends.

LBJ Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 30, 2010

4. LBJ Photo on Marker

[Caption reads] Johnson not only brought electricity to the hill country, he also brought the $40,000 PEC headquarters building to Johnson City. Here the young congressman (below) stands in front of the PEC in 1940.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,241 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.