Texas has a rich history of Black historical figures that have made their mark in the Lone Star State. Whether living here or visiting, there’s many Black history monuments to seek and learn from.
Austin American-Statesman
Texas has a rich history of Black historical figures who have made their mark in the Lone Star State. Whether living here or visiting, there are plenty of Black history monuments to seek and learn from.
Here is a site of public landmarks in Texas to see during Black History Month:
Jack Johnson Historical Marker
2627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX
Before there was Muhammed Ali, there was a braggadocious boxer from Galveston, Texas known as Jack Johnson. Johnson was the first African-American world heavyweight champion and a controversial figure during his time. According to writer and historian Geoffrey C. Ward, Johnson had his quarrels inside and outside the ring.
“In 1912, the U.S. government indicted Johnson under the Mann Act in an attempt to tarnish him and discourage his interracial relationships,” says the inscribed historical marker. “He fled the U.S. and lived in exile for eight years. In 1915, Johnson fought his last important match in Havana, Cuba. Although younger, fitter and taller, Jess Willard needed 26 rounds to knock out Johnson and take the heavyweight title. Johnson finally surrendered to federal authorities in 1920. While in prison, he obtained two patents. Johnson continued to fight but never again for a title. He spent his later years as an entertainer and exhibition fighter. A car crash on a North Carolina road ended his life at age 68.”