John Nance Garner
Detroit, Red River County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In this house, John Nance Garner, Vice-President of the United States since 1933, was born November 22, 1869. Member Texas Legislature, 1898-1902. Member of United States Congress since 1903. Speaker of the House, 1931.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
John Nance Garner, the Texas statesman nicknamed "Cactus Jack," was born in this house on November 22, 1869. He rose from the Texas Legislature to a long career in the U.S. Congress, serving as Speaker of the House in 1931 before becoming Vice President of the United States in 1933. His marker records a career that carried a Red River County native to the second-highest office in the land.
Why it matters
Garner's rise from rural North Texas to the vice presidency marks the growing weight of the frontier states in national politics during the early 20th century.
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