Rev George Washington Baines
(1809-1882)
Commemorated on 3 plaques
Texas Historical Marker #00279
George Washington Baines House. Built in the 1860s, this house was the residence of the Rev. George Washington Baines (1809-83) from 1870 to 1883. A pioneer Baptist preacher, missionary, editor, and educator, the Rev. Baines was the great-grandfather of United States President Lyndon Baines Johnson. The one-and-one-half-story frame house features characteristics of the Greek Revival style, including the distinctive front porch with square columns, transoms, and delicate ornamentation. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981 #279
316 Royal St., Salado, TX, United States where they lived
Texas Historical Marker #00341
Baylor University. World's largest Baptist University. Founded under charter issued by congress of Republic of Texas on Feb. 1, 1845, and in continuous operation ever since. Named for Judge R.E.B. Baylor (1791-1873), a native of Kentucky, an 1820s United States Congressman from Alabama, one of the first district judges in Texas. Judge Baylor, with the Rev. William Tryon and the Rev. James Huckins, obtained the charter under the terms of a resolution of the Union Baptist Association to establish "A Baptist University...to meet the needs of all the ages to come." First location was at Independence, in Washington County. Early presidents were Henry L. Graves (1847-52), Refus C. Burleson (1852-61), George W. Baines (1861-63), and William Carey Crane (1863-85). Texas supreme court justices Abner S. Limpscomb, Royal T. Wheeler, and Judge Baylor taught the first law classes. An early benefactor was General Sam Houston, who sent his children to the university and who initiated construction of the first woman's building. In 1886 the university moved to Waco, where new schools have been added and the plant enlarged in later years. The Armstrong Browning Library, Texana collections, and other features are world renowned. #341
?, Waco, TX, United States where they was president
Texas Historical Marker #01624
First Baptist Church of Colorado City. Founded as a mission station in 1881 by The Rev. George W. Baines (1809-1882), a former President of Baylor University and in 1880s a Baptist State Convention agent. The Rev. Peter Turner, an Englishmen, organized the church in 1882. Building site was donated by U.S. Senator and ex-Governor of Georgia Joseph E. Brown, a Texas & Pacific Railroad investor, developer of Colorado townsite. A.W. Dunn, J.T. Hutchins, J.B. Putnam, Alf H.H. Tolar, and G.W. Waddell were church trustees. The original small box structure was meeting place of all denominations until destroyed by tornado in May 1884. It was replaced by a similar frame building. In 1890, Pastor J.C. Burkett reported 140 on roll. This church joined that year with other members of Sweetwater Baptist Association to implement charter for Simmons College (now Hardin-Simmons University). In pastorate (1895) of The Rev. B.H. Carroll, Jr., a 4-room structure was erected. Classrooms and basement, added later, became emergency hospital for tornado victims on May 14, 1923. In 1924, this and neighboring county formed Mitchell-Scurry Baptist Association. Present church was built in 1928; annex in 1961. Congregation has included many community leaders; it has been active in home and foreign mission fields. (1973) #1624
Third and Chestnut St., Colorado City, TX, United States where they founded a church near