Jourdanton in Atascosa County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ralph Roy Smith

Photographed by John A Hensarling, June 21, 2012

1. Ralph Roy Smith Marker

Inscription. R. R. "Railroad" Smith (1880-1944) was born in Gonzales County to Alexander Frohock and Mary McGill (Mathews) Smith. Around 1907, Smith moved to Atascosa County where he opened up a law practice and entered into the newspaper business with a cousin. Smith successfully ran for the Texas House of Representatives in 1908, and during the Thirty-First Legislative session he solely sponsored a bill creating the Texas State Library and Historical Commission. Smith served later terms in 1911 and 1921. Smith moved his newspaper from Pleasanton to Jourdanton in 1909 and was also a strong advocate of moving the county seat from Pleasanton to Jourdanton in 1910.

Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15835.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 28° 55.464′ N, 98° 32.134′ W. Marker is in Jourdanton, Texas, in Atascosa County. It is on Oak Street (State Highway 97) 0.2 miles east of Jourdanton Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1604 E Hwy 97, Jourdanton TX 78026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jourdanton (here, next to this marker); Jourdan Campbell (here, next to this marker);

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Mercy Hospital (here, next to this marker); St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 0.7 miles away); Atascosa County Courthouse (approx. 0.7 miles away); Atascosa County (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Atascosa County Jail (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jourdanton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Atascosa County Courthouse (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by John A Hensarling

2. Ralph Roy Smith Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2012, by John A Hensarling of Campbellton, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,043 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 22, 2012, by John A Hensarling of Campbellton, Texas. 2. submitted on June 21, 2012, by John A Hensarling of Campbellton, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.