La Villita in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
John W. Smith
(November 4, 1792 - January 12, 1845)
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 18, 2026
1. John W. Smith Marker
Smith moved to San Antonio in 1828 and was soon in banking-mercantile, brokerage-contracting business.
Loyal to democracy and opposed to dictatorship, he was active in defending Texas against Mexico, 1835-42. He participated in "Affair at Gonzales" (Oct. 2, 1835), "Storming of Bexar" (Dec. 1835), siege of the Alamo (March 1836), and the Battle of the Salado (Oct. 1842).
Divorced on Jan. 15, 1831, in Missouri from Harriet Stone, he married Maria Curbelo, a descendant of the Canary Islanders who came to San Antonio in 1731.
Attorney for many pioneer Texans, he was dominant political figure in Bexar County during 1836-45 era. Elected first county clerk on May 1, 1837, and first Mayor of San Antonio Sept. 18, 1837, by Jan. 1838 he had been appointed postmaster as well. From 1842 to 1845 he served the Republic as senator from Bexar. During regular session of the 9th Congress, he died at Washington-on-the-Brazos. His grave is located in a State Park there. This marker stands at the site of his early home in La Villita De San Fernando.
Erected 1973 by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1898.
Location. 29° 25.269′ N, 98° 29.327′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in La Villita. It is at the intersection of King Philip Alley and East Nueva Street, on the right when traveling north on King Philip Alley. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also in the American South. 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: 101 King Philip V Street (a few steps from this marker); Mayor Maury Maverick Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Cirilus Gissi House (within shouting distance of this marker); Esquida-Downs-Dietrich House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dolores Alderete House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caile House (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Philip's College (within shouting distance of this marker); Simon Bolivar (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015
2. John W. Smith Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015
3. John W. Smith Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 18, 2026
4. John W. Smith Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on May 19, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
