Live Oak County TXGenWeb Project

J. Frank Dobie State Marker Missing
Source:  The Progress, Live Oak County

By THOMAS GODLEY Editor, The Progress

The historical marker noting one of the most significant figures in Live Oak County remains missing.  The metal plaque describing the birthplace of author J. Frank Dobie was apparently stolen more than a year ago from its site near FM 534 and FM 3162 just north of Lagarto. Tige Brown, former chairman of the Live Oak County Historical Society, said a request to obtain a new marker was made to the Live Oak County Commissioners Court.  We went before the commissioners court some time ago and asked that the marker be replaced, said Brown. The state historical commission will do it, but it has to go through the court. I am not sure what has happened since the time we requested the replacement.  Jim Huff said he was unaware the author's marker was missing but added that the county has replaced a historical marker for the Charter Oak. The oak tree represents the site under which leaders signed a petition that established the county in 1855. The plaque, which cost about $750, had been taken from a site in Gussettville.  Why in the world anybody would steal those markers is beyond me, Brown said. It was just pure vandalism. Brown, who stepped down from the county historical society about 10 years ago, said the group has completely disbanded. Live Oak County is home to about 20 historical markers.  Dobie died on Sept. 18, 1964. He was regarded as the literary mind of the Southwest. The Southwestern Writers and the Texas Folklore Society honored him with a fete, and President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded him the nation's highest civil award, the Medal of Freedom, on Sept. 14, 1964. I think it's important to promote J. Frank Dobie as a part of our county's history, Huff said. I'm certainly interested in replacing the marker.   

The Progress Serving Live Oak and McMullen Counties