Earle C. Driskell
Mansfield, Tarrant County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born in Indiana in 1883, Earle Claud Driskelll came to Texas with his parents in 1888. Educated as a lawyer, he started his journalism career in 1907 when he joined the staff of the Fort Worth "Star". He soon gained recognition for his work as an advocate of a county bond program to improve the quality of local roads and highways. Largely through his editorial efforts, a major road bond package was passed in 1911 that set an example for other state and local highway programs. Driskell died of smallpox at his Fort Worth home the following year. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Indiana-born Earle Claud Driskell came to Texas as a boy in 1888 and, though trained as a lawyer, found his calling in journalism at the Fort Worth Star in 1907. He became a leading editorial voice for improving local roads, and his campaigning helped pass a landmark 1911 county road-bond package that other Texas communities imitated. Driskell died of smallpox at his Fort Worth home the following year, still a young man.
Why it matters
His crusade came at the dawn of the automobile age, when good roads were remaking American life and a persuasive editor could set a region in motion.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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