Original Townsite of Andrews

Means was born in a log cabin near Whitesboro in Grayson County on July 25, 1878. He ran the Andrews Abstract Company until 1914, when he moved to Abilene, and later worked for American Telephone and Telegraph in Florida before returning to Andrews in 1927 and to Abilene in 1934, where he owned ranches and oil wells. His gifts went well beyond Andrews: a two-story hospital for the Juliette Fowler Homes in Dallas in 1957, athletic buildings and a boys' dormitory there, and a $20,000 organ for Abilene's First Christian Church. He died in Abilene in September 1972.

What the plaque says

Original Townsite of Andrews Founded when Andrews County was organized in 1910, on land owned by Robert Madison Means (b. 1878). With his father, J. S. Means, "Bob" Means began homesteading here in 1899 and organized an abstract company in 1909. When Andrews battled Shafter City to acquire county seat, Means donated lots to local cowboys so they could vote; helped win election. Married Atwood Wilder, 1910; was county clerk, 1918-1922; civic leader throughout life. Town has grown through many gifts of real estate and funds from Means, who retired after finding oil on his land in 1934. (1970)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Early Settlers of Andrews County — steps away
• J. S. Means Ranch House — steps away
• Billionth Barrel — 0.5 mi
• Shafter's Trail — 0.6 mi