Site of the "Red Lander" Office
San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
Marker Inscription
One of the most influential newspapers in the Republic of Texas during the 1840s. W. W. Parker bought equipment of "Texas Chronicle," Galveston, and brought it here in 1837. He published the "Red Lander" for three years. Dr. John S. "Rip" Ford, the celebrated journalist, Texas Ranger, and Confederate officer was on the staff. Alanson W. Canfield bought the paper June 12, 1840. Published a comprehensive weekly journal of wide circulation until 1853. Later, papers in other cities gained in prestige; this led to demise of the "Red Lander," 1861. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Among the most influential newspapers of the Republic of Texas, the "Red Lander" began when W. W. Parker bought the equipment of Galveston's "Texas Chronicle" and brought it to San Augustine in 1837. On its staff was John S. "Rip" Ford, later celebrated as a Texas Ranger and Confederate officer. Alanson W. Canfield bought the paper in 1840 and published a widely circulated weekly until 1853; as rival papers in other cities rose in prestige, the "Red Lander" finally ceased in 1861.
Why it matters
The "Red Lander" shows the outsized role a frontier newspaper could play in shaping public opinion in the young Republic of Texas, launching careers that spanned journalism, law enforcement, and war.
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Related people
- · W. W. Parker
- · John S. "Rip" Ford
- · Alanson W. Canfield
Themes & tags
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