Historical Marker
Ben Marshall Baker
Columbus, Colorado County · Texas
Erected 1973
Baker came back to the paper as an employee. Fred Barnard hired him to work on the new Colorado Citizen he had started in 1869, and in 1873 Baker bought it, beginning more than three decades as editor and publisher. The yellow fever epidemic of 1873 and a fire in 1880 both briefly stopped publication. After his death in 1907 the paper changed hands repeatedly. Henry Hurr bought it in 1924 and in 1927 renamed it the Colorado County Citizen, and from 1993 a group of local residents published it, with a circulation of 4,292 in the 1990s.
What the plaque says
Ben Marshall Baker (1837-1907) Influential owner-editor of "Colorado Citizens," whch he and brothers, Hicks and James, founded in 1857. All joined Confederate Army in Civil War; Hicks was killed. In ill Health, James moved away. Ben published "Citizens," 1873-1907. This was his home. Widow Virginia (Cunningham) lived here until 1916. (1973)
Where it stands
29.70319, -96.54371 · Directions
More markers nearby
- William Demetris Lacey — steps away
- William B. DeWees — steps away
- Dilue Rose Harris — steps away
- Site of Railway Hospital — steps away