Vicory Barker Tunstall

The Handbook of Texas says V. B. "Barker" Tunstall Sr., himself a fiddler, started the World Championship Fiddlers' Festival with others in 1937. It began on the town square with a barbecue dinner and a dance, and first prize was fifty dollars. In its early days people called it Barker Tunstall's Old Fiddler's Festival. After World War II it moved to Davy Crockett Memorial Park. In 1954 Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys played it, and Benny Thomasson and Jim "Texas Shorty" Chancellor each won three years running, in 1955 to 1957 and 1959 to 1961.

What the plaque says

Vicory Barker Tunstall (October 21, 1876 -- February 8, 1953) Born west of Crockett. A noted musician. Houston County District Clerk, 1918-22. A barber by trade. In boyhood, studied violin. At 16, began teaching. At 20, opened Tunstall Music House. Traveled East Texas 50 years with band that included his ten children. Founded World's Championship Fiddler's Festival, 1937. At 1951 state fair was proclaimed the Champion Fiddler of Texas. Married (1st), Emma Virginia English; (2nd) Mrs. Lillie Shanks. (1973)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Caddo Mounds State Historic Site — 26 mi
  Three earthen mounds of an ancestral Caddo village and ceremonial center on the old El Camino Real, settled about A.D. 800 and still sacred to Caddo people, with a grass house and visitor center.

More markers nearby

• Congressman Nat Patton — steps away
• Mary Allen Seminary — 0.6 mi
• William Monroe Patton — 0.9 mi
• Col. Steward Alexander Miller — 0.9 mi