Historical Marker

Near Burial Place of Governor George Tyler Wood

Point Blank, San Jacinto County · Texas
Erected 1970

Point Blank owes its name to a governess. The Handbook of Texas says a Frenchwoman, Florence Dissiway, came in the 1850s to teach the children of the R. T. and Henry Robinson families and called the spot Blanc Point, which residents turned into Point Blank. R. T. Robinson reputedly opened the first store, and Wood had set up a plantation there as early as 1839. He was buried in the Robinson cemetery, where the state erected a monument in 1911. The post office opened in 1884, and residents voted to incorporate in 1975.

What the plaque says

Near Burial Place of Governor George Tyler Wood (1795-1858) Born in Georgia, where he fought in Indian wars, was a merchant, and member of State Legislature. In 1839, he moved with family to Texas, settling in this area. He was a member of 6th Congress of the Republic of Texas, 1841-1842; a delegate to the 1845 Annexation Convention; a member of first Senate of the state, 1846-1847. He resigned from the Senate to raise a regiment and fight in the Mexican War. While a senator, he introduced a bill to create Tyler County. Woodville, the county seat, was named for him. So was Wood County, created later. Governor of Texas, Dec. 21, 1847 - Dec. 21, 1849, Wood rallied state defenses against recurring Indian depredations, particularly around Corpus Christi, in Navarro County and along the Red River. Boundary disputes arose in Santa Fe County (then in Texas, now in New Mexico). Governor Wood advocated sales of public lands to liquidate the public debt. He also urged establishment of public schools. Texas laws were coded at his request. He established the state library and had state penitentiary built. Wood married in 1837 in Georgia Mrs. Martha Evans Gindrat, a widow with three children. Several other children were born to George and Martha Wood. (1970)

Where it stands

30.74083, -95.20840 · Directions

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