The Rev. George Washington Baines

(1809-1882) Renowned Baptist minister in early Texas history; president from 1861 to 1863 of Baylor University (which included what is now Mary-Hardin-Baylor College); great-grandfather of Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th president of the United States. Born in North Carolina and reared without formal schooling on a farm, Baines worked his way through the University of Alabama. When licensed to preach at age 25 he became the third generation of his family to enter the ministry. Moved to Texas in 1850. Here his reputation as a wise and peace-loving clergyman continued to grow. He held offices in the Baptist State Convention and founded the Pioneer "Texas Baptist" newspaper, in 1855. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he accepted the presidency of strife-ridden Baylor University (at Independence) and guided it for two crucial years. Although plagued constantly by ill health, Baines was noted for his stamina. Parishioners also admired his marksmanship as well as his learning. In 1867 he moved to Salado. Preaching and working for Baptist education, he lived there until his death of malarial fever. He is buried in Salado. Twice married, Baines had ten children. (1972)

The Rev. George Washington Baines is a historical marker in Belton, Bell County, dedicated in 1972. It is one of 226 historical markers documented in Bell County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 411 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.0665, -97.4645 near Belton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Texas Baptist Educational Society (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include A Memorial to Civil War Education in Texas, Robert Emmet Bledsoe Baylor, and Luther Memorial.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5027005410. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.