George West in Live Oak County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Birthplace of J. Frank Dobie
Dobie graduated in 1910 and began his career as an educator and journalist. In 1913 he moved to New York to earn a Master's Degree at Columbia University, and in 1914 he joined the University of Texas English faculty and the Texas Folklore Society. Dobie wed longtime sweetheart Bertha McKee in 1916, two years before she completed her Master's Degree in English at the University of Texas. He considered Bertha his best literary critic. Dobie served in the army for two years during World War I before returning to Austin in 1919. The next year he moved to South Texas to manage his uncle's ranch, Rancho de los Olmos, in La Salle County. There, steeped in the stories and traditions of the Mexican Vaqueros, he decided to collect and publish southwestern folklore. Returning to Austin in 1921, he resumed teaching and published his first book in 1929. He became a full professor at the University of Texas in 1933, but also taught in several other places during his career, completing many additional books.
J. Frank Dobie died on September 18, 1964, just four days after receiving the National Medal of Freedom from his friend President Lyndon B. Johnson. Dobie was laid to rest in the Texas State Cemetery. He is still remembered for his efforts to preserve the stories of Texas through the history and experiences of its people.
(1970, 2003)
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is September 26, 1888.
Location. 28° 20.063′ N, 98° 6.871′ W. Marker is in George West, Texas, in Live Oak County. Marker is at the intersection of Houston Street (Business U.S. 59) and Guadalupe Street, on the right when traveling east on Houston Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Houston Street, George West TX 78022, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City of George West (here, next to this marker); Thelma Laura Pugh-Lindholm (here, next to this marker); VFW and American Legion War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Texas Tough (a few steps from this marker); A Legendary Longhorn (a few steps from this marker); A Community Effort (a few steps from this marker); Driven to Succeed (a few steps from this marker); Live Oak County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in George West.
More about this marker. This marker is dual dated 1970 and 2003 and does not appear in the Texas Historical Commission's Atlas. The Atlas does contain a record for a marker that was placed near the old Dobie Ranch (#6291, Old Dobie Ranch, Birthplace of J. Frank Dobie) which is approximately 23 miles southeast of George West. The Atlas states that marker #6291 has been stolen so it is possible that this marker was created as a replacement for the stolen marker and moved to the courthouse grounds in George West in 2003.
Also see . . . Dobie, James Frank - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 16, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 3. submitted on April 26, 2020, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on May 24, 2021, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas.