George T. Southwell (1870-1924), born on a Victoria County ranch, was the eldest son of Sarah Elizabeth (Phelps) and English native John T. Southwell. George ran a wholesale feed business and livery in Victoria and Yoakum and married Maggie Wilson in 1896. The couple moved to Matagorda County, where George was a rancher and rice farmer. He later opened a furniture and undertaking business in Bay City. In 1912, the family moved to San Antonio. In 1914, George Southwell bought the San Antonio Rubber Stamp Company, which began on Commerce Street in 1866. The company first produced stencils for wool and cotton shipments and then expanded to rubber stamps. George managed the company until his death in 1924. His son, Wilson P. Southwell, Sr. helped the business grow from three employees to more than fifty, establishing a foundry to cast metal signs and plaques for clients in several states. In 1953, the name of the business changed to The Southwell Company. The Southwell Company’s products are found throughout the world and include stamps, plaques, signs, building seals and U.S. armed forces name tags. Among the companies most iconic works are their historical markers. They made bronze pieces for markers and monuments placed for the Texas Centennial in 1936, and since 1962 have produced thousands of official markers issued by the Texas Historical Commission. Additionally, The Southwell Company has produced thousands more historical markers and dedication plaques for cities, counties, and more than two dozen states. Founded 150 years ago and four generations in the same family, The Southwell Company continues its unique contribution to public history and the Texas landscape. (2016)
The Southwell Company
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The Southwell Company is a historical marker in San Antonio, Bexar County, dedicated in 2015. It is one of 239 historical markers documented in Bexar County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 542 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 29.4334, -98.4799 near San Antonio. The nearest cataloged historic site is Petty House (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Uhl, Gustav, House and Store, Hays Street Bridge, and Old Lone Star Brewery.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507018387. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
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