Near Van in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Brady P. Gentry
(March 25, 1895 - Nov. 9, 1966)
| | Park Dedicated to Memory of Texas State Highway Commission Chairman | |
Photographed by Duane Hall, June 5, 2015
1. Brady P. Gentry Marker
A man whose public service was of highest order. Born on a farm near this site in Van Zandt County. Educated at Cumberland University (Tennessee) and Tyler Commercial College, was County Attorney and County Judge of Smith County. As chairman of Texas Highway Commission, 1939-1945, he traveled almost every Texas highway to learn road needs of state. Aided long-range financial strength of highway program by supporting the reservation of road-use revenue for road building.
An authority of highway policy, Gentry served in 1943 as president of the American Association of State Highway Officials. In that capacity he aided post-war expansion in use of motor vehicles by implementing legislation to provide funds for farm-to-market roads and the first major expressways in the country.
Interested in education, Gentry helped to establish Tyler Junior College. He served as U.S. Congressman, 1953-1957, for Third Congressional District of Texas. A member of committees for public works and roads, he helped design legislation for interstate highway system. Refused to vote along merely political lines.
The pre-eminent position of the Texas Highway Department and the high quality of roads in Texas and the U.S. are a tribute to the ability of Brady P. Gentry.
Erected 1967 by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.
Location. 32° 30.941′ N, 95° 41.285′ W. Marker is near Van, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It can be reached from Interstate 20 at milepost 538, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at a rest area on the I-20 westbound lanes between Exits 540 and 537; marker can only be accessed from the westbound lanes of the freeway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Van TX 75790, 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 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Free State of Van Zandt (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of the Neches (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pure Oil Company Camp (approx. 1.9 miles away); Marvin Chapel Cemetery (approx. 2.2 miles away); Van United Methodist Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); Swindall School (approx. 2.8 miles away); Van (approx. 2.8 miles away); Jarman No. 1 Discovery Well (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Van.
Also see . . . Brady Preston Gentry. From the Texas State Historical Associations “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on June 19, 2015.)
Photographed by Duane Hall, June 5, 2015
2. Brady P. Gentry Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, June 5, 2015
3. View to West from Rest Area
Photographed by Duane Hall, June 5, 2015
4. View to East from near Marker Location
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 886 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
