Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ira Hobart Evans
(April 11, 1844 - April 19, 1922)
Photographed By Bob Ward, September 1, 2020
1. Ira Hobart Evans Marker
Born in New Hampshire, Ira H. Evans grew up in Vermont. During the Civil War he served in the Union Army, attaining the rank of Major. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor and in 1865 was a member of the Honor Guard for the funeral of President Lincoln.
Following the war Evans was stationed in Texas along the Rio Grande until 1866. After his discharge from the Army in 1867, he returned to the area as an agent for the Freedmen’s Bureau. He was elected to the Texas Legislature in 1869 and in 1870 was chosen Speaker of the House, the first Republican and youngest person to date to hold that office. He was removed as Speaker on May 10, 1871, in a dispute over interpretation of the 1869 State Constitution.
Evans began a business career in 1872 and, as President of the New York & Texas Land Company, became a leader in Texas railroads and land development. He moved to Austin in 1885. Active in civic affairs, he served as President of the board of Tillotson College (now Huston-Tillotson College) from 1911 to 1920.
Evans bought this house in 1892 and hired noted architect Alfred Giles to remodel it to its current appearance. He moved to California in 1921 and, after his death in San Diego in 1922, was buried in Vermont.
Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1874.
Location. 30° 16.264′ N, 97° 44.81′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker is on San Antonio Street south of West 8th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 708 San Antonio Street, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Austin Woman’s Club (here, next to this marker); 1933 Austin Public Library (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emma West Flats (about 400 feet away); Gilfillan House (about 500 feet away); Joseph and Mary Robinson Martin House (about 500 feet away); Wooldridge Square (about 500 feet away); Votes for Women (about 500 feet away); Booker T. Washington (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia - Ira Hobart Evans. (Submitted on December 26, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas.)
2. Find-A-Grave - Ira Hobart Evans
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, December 22, 2020
2. Ira Hobart Evans Marker Area
3. Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution - Ira Hobart Evans. (Submitted on December 26, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas.)
Photographed By Keith Peterson, July 8, 2007
3. Ira Hobart Evans Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,166 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2011, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on September 22, 2020, by Bob Ward of Austin, Texas. 2. submitted on December 22, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. 3. submitted on December 26, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
