Near Stonewall in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bringing Washington Home

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, August 16, 2025

1. Bringing Washington Home Marker

Inscription. Imagine a plane roaring onto a newly constructed 3,000 foot grass airstrip. It’s 1953, and Senator Lyndon Johnson has arrived at the LBJ Ranch. Initially built to improve access to the Ranch during floods, the small airstrip soon proves inadequate for Johnson’s rising political aspirations. Within eight years it is lengthened to 6,300 feet to accommodate the increasing number and size of aircraft.

Throughout Johnson’s political career the Ranch was a magnet for politicians, businessmen, and entertainers. Inviting these decision makers and prominent guests to the Ranch fulfilled Lyndon Johnson’s desire to talk Washington politics in a Hill Country setting. The airstrip served as the connection between the two worlds.

The airport stays busy, disgorging cabinet members with important difficult decisions, budget estimates, and crises.
Lady Bird Johnson

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 30° 15.517′ N, 98° 37.443′ W. Marker is near Stonewall, Texas, in

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Gillespie County. It is on Malecek Road 1.2 miles north of Park Road 49, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located across from the Show Barn on the LBJ Ranch Driving Tour in Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stonewall TX 78671, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country.

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: The Working Corrals (a few steps from this marker); The Show Barn (a few steps from this marker); Hereford: Breed of Choice (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Watering the Landscape (approx. 0.4 miles away); The LBJ Ranch: A Living Legend (approx. half a mile away); The Environmental First Lady (approx. 0.6 miles away); LBJ - The Western Image (approx. ¾ mile away); The Environmental President (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonewall.

Another marker is no longer nearby. LBJ – The Image (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The marker includes a background image of the LBJ Ranch airstrip in 1967 and a small inset photo of a JetStar landing at the LBJ Ranch in 1966.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This list consists of 26 wayside exhibits along the LBJ Ranch driving tour in Lyndon B. Johnson NHP. The markers are in order as you

Photographed by Duane Hall, November 12, 2015

2. Bringing Washington Home Marker

View to east towards runway

would encounter them on the driving tour.

Also see . . . Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park - Official Website. (Submitted on December 5, 2015.)

Bringing Washington Home, The Working Corrals, and The Show Barn Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, November 12, 2015

3. Bringing Washington Home, The Working Corrals, and The Show Barn Markers

Bringing Washington Home marker on left side of road

LBJ Ranch Airplane Runway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, November 12, 2015

4. LBJ Ranch Airplane Runway

View to southeast from marker

Photographed by Duane Hall, November 12, 2015

5. Bringing Washington Home Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 5, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.