Marker Inscription
Two speeches were delivered by Sam Houston in Rusk. The first, in 1855, was a debate with politician Frank Bowden. Houston, a U.S. Senator, was on a tour through central and east Texas trying to regain public favor after voting against the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Political debates were popular entertainment of the time, and were well attended. Houston campaigned for governor here in 1857. A newspaper account states his speech lasted three hours, but brought little enthusiasm from the crowd. When he finished speaking, applause was weak and many of the benches were empty.
About this site
Houston, Sam, Site of Speeches is a historical marker in Rusk, Cherokee County, dedicated in 1996. It is one of 112 historical markers documented in Cherokee County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 245 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.7960, -95.1534 near Rusk. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Baptist Church of Rusk (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include First Baptist Church of Rusk, First Presbyterian Church of Rusk, and Cherokee County C.S.A..
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5073006916. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
