Timothy Stephen Smith

Smith was one of three Black voters who sued in 1973 in Robinson v. Commissioners Court, with Frank J. Robinson and Rodney Howard. The 1969 plan split Palestine's Black community across three of four commissioner precincts, though Black residents were 25 percent of the county in 1970. Judge William Wayne Justice ruled in March 1974 that the lines were a racially motivated gerrymander, and the Fifth Circuit affirmed on December 23, 1974. The court's plan produced a precinct 53 percent Black. Robinson, who helped found the Anderson County Civic League in 1965, sued Palestine over its council in 1976.

What the plaque says

Timothy Stephen Smith (February 20, 1902 – April 30, 2000) Born the son of a runaway slave, Smith yearned for a better life. He attended Prairie View A&M College and received a degree in vocational agriculture. He became a teacher, educating the children of North Carolina and Texas for 42 years. He also served Anderson County as chairman and election judge for Precinct 2, president of the Voter's Committee and was a member of the Democratic Party Executive Committee. A proponent of equal rights, he and others filed civil actions in 1973 to change the voting boundary lines in the county to equalize voting rights. They believed that the way the lines were drawn diluted Black voting strength. Judge William Wayne Justice agreed, stating the way the lines were drawn constituted a "racially motivated gerrymander" which was prohibited by a previous ruling in 1964. Anderson County switched from at-large voting districts to single-member districts for commissioners, constables, and justices of the peace. Because of their success, they filed suit against the City of Palestine stating their voting precinct boundary lines also diluted the Black voting strength. Judge Justice sided again with Smith and the lines were redrawn. The city switched from four at-large voting districts to six single-member voting districts. The county's first African American commissioner, Reginald O. Browne, was elected in 1978, and city councilmen Willie Myers and Rev. R.L. Linicomn were elected in 1977. Because they were successful in their effort, many African-American justices of the peace, city council members, county commissioners and constables have been elected. (2012)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Texas State Railroad Excursion Train — 3.7 mi
  A round trip of about 25 miles of track between the Palestine and Rusk depots through the Piney Woods, on a line built by prison labor and reopened as a tourist railroad in 1976.

More markers nearby

• Governor Thomas Mitchell Campbell — steps away
• Palestine Salt Works C. S. A. — steps away
• Anderson County — steps away
• Col. Homer Garrison, Jr. — steps away