Historical Marker
Site of Wesleyan College
San Augustine, San Augustine County · Texas
Erected 1936
Daniel Poe led the 1842 effort to organize the college, the Handbook of Texas says, and President Sam Houston signed its charter on January 16, 1844. Classes began in a new building about March, under principal Lester Janes, with seven faculty and 155 students. The program ran from primary through collegiate level, with a separate female department, and its history course was unusual for the 1840s. Francis A. Wilson raised 20,000 acres and $20,000. The college granted only two degrees, both in February 1846, and the building burned in 1870.
What the plaque says
Site of Wesleyan College Site of WESLEYAN COLLEGE Established in 1842 Incorporated January 16, 1844 by the Methodist Church Named for John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of Methodism A successful school for a brief period United with the University of San Augustine in 1847 to form the University of East Texas, which shortly expired Erected by the State of Texas 1936
Where it stands
31.52830, -94.10101 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Site of San Augustine University — 0.2 mi
- Home of Matthew Cartwright — 0.3 mi
- Home of Col. Stephen William Blount — 0.3 mi
- First United Methodist Church of San Augustine — 0.4 mi