John W. Smith
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Great early San Antonio leader, a native of North Carolina. Moved to Illinois, then to Missouri, where he was sheriff of Rawls County in 1824. Came to Texas with Green DeWitt in 1826 and settled at Gonzales. Smith moved to San Antonio in 1828 and was soon in banking-mercantile, brokerage-contracting business. Loyal to Democracy and opposed to dictatorship, he was active in defending Texas against Mexico, 1835-42. He participated in "affair at Gonzales" (Oct. 2, 1835), "storming of Bexar" (Dec. 1835), siege of the Alamo (March 1836), and the Battle of the Salado (Oct. 1842). Divorced on Jan. 15, 1831, in Missouri from Harriet Stone, he married Maria Curbelo, a descendant of the Canary Islanders who came to San Antonio in 1731. Attorney for many pioneer Texans, he was dominant political figure in Bexar County during 1836-45 era. Elected first county clerk on May 1, 1837, and first Mayor of San Antonio Sept. 18, 1837, by Jan. 1838 he had been appointed postmaster as well. From 1842 to 1845 he served he republic as senator from Bexar. During regular session of the 9th Congress, he died at Washington-on-the-Brazos. His grave is located in a State Park there. This marker stands at the site of his early home in La Villita De San Fernando.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
A North Carolina native who drifted west through Illinois and Missouri, John W. Smith came to Texas with Green DeWitt in 1826 and settled in San Antonio, where he became a leading merchant and political figure. He fought in the opening "affair at Gonzales," the storming of Bexar, and the siege of the Alamo, from which he served as a courier, and later at the Battle of the Salado. Smith became San Antonio's first mayor in 1837, held numerous offices, and served the Republic as a senator until his death in 1845.
Why it matters
Smith links the Texas Revolution to the founding of San Antonio's civic government, embodying the pioneers who fought for independence and then built the institutions of the new Republic.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Briscoe Western Art Museum0.1 mi away · 210 West Market Street
- Instituto Cultural de Mexico0.2 mi away
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.3 mi away
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium0.3 mi away
- San Antonio Art League Museum0.3 mi away · TX
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.4 mi away
Attractions
- La Villitanearby
- River boat boarding0.1 mi away
- Yanaguana Garden0.2 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.3 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
Food & drink
- McDonald's0.2 mi away · 101 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX
- Chipotle0.2 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- The Original Mexican Restaurant0.2 mi away
- Cafe Ole0.2 mi away
- Agave Bar0.2 mi away
- Lone Star Cafe0.2 mi away
Places to stay
- Hilton Palacio del Rio0.1 mi away
- The Monarch San Antonio0.1 mi away
- Hotel Contessa0.1 mi away · 306 West Market Street
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio0.2 mi away · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
- Mokara Hotel and Spa0.3 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
- Marriott Riverwalk0.3 mi away
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · John W. Smith
- · Green DeWitt
- · Maria Curbelo
Related events
- · Siege of the Alamo (1836)
- · Storming of Bexar (1835)
- · Battle of Salado (1842)
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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Samuel S. Smith
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