La Grange in Fayette County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Birthplace of the SPJST

By Gregory Walker, April 30, 2011

1. Birthplace of the SPJST Marker

Inscription. On December 28, 1896, twenty-five Czech-Texans gathered in the district courtroom of this courthouse to establish a new fraternal benefit insurance society, the Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas, more commonly known a the SPJST. The SPJST held its first convention in the same room on June 20, 1897. I. J. Gallia served as the society's first president and J. R. Kubena was the first secretary. The SPJST officially began its business in Texas on July 1, 1897, while the state charter was approved on August 21, 1897. SPJST headquarters now is located in Temple.

Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 417.)

Location. 29° 54.302′ N, 96° 52.738′ W. Marker is in La Grange, Texas, in Fayette County. Marker is on North Main Street south of West Colorado Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Grange TX 78945, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fayette County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); The Dawson Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Beer Office and Bottling Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct

Location of Birthplace of the SPJST Marker (on the right) image. Click for full size.

By Gregory Walker, April 30, 2011

2. Location of Birthplace of the SPJST Marker (on the right)

line); The Dawson Expedition / Historic Oak Tree (about 400 feet away); Site of a Twin Blockhouse (about 700 feet away); The First U.S. Postal Rural Mail Route in Texas (about 800 feet away); City Library Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Bradshaw-Killough House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

Also see . . . Article about the Czechs in Handbook of Texas. (Submitted on February 4, 2014, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas.)

Categories. • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on February 4, 2014, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 719 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 4, 2014, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.