San Jacinto Centennial Association, 1935-1938

The San Jacinto Centennial Association was organized in the fall of 1935 to be the official agency for coordinating Houston's participation in the celebrations of the Texas Centennial of 1936. The Houston Chamber of Commerce, important members of the Houston business community as well as descendants of early Texans were influential in its formation. The Association's office was opened in leased space on the 8th floor of the Chamber of Commerce building on September 30, 1935. President of the Association was John C. Townes, Jr. Members of the Executive Committee were: George D. Wilson, Chairman; Mrs. I. B. McFarland, Secretary; Chester H. Bryan; Norman H. Beard; R. B. Morris; Jeff Barnette; and Wm. S. Patton. H. Dick Golding was hired as the Executive Secretary of the Association and Wm. S. Patton served as Treasurer. Jesse H. Jones, an influential and successful Houston businessman serving at the time as Chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Washington, D.C., was named Honorary President.

The Association formed seven committees to accomplish their work: the Publicity Committee, with Jeff Barnette as Chair; the Historical Committee chaired by Clarence R. Wharton; the Music Committee with Joseph S. Smith as Chair; the Beautification Committee, with C. L. Brock as its Chairman; the Schools Participation Committee, chaired by J. S. Griffith; the Acquisition of Relics and Documents Committee, with George D. Sears as Chair; and H. O. Clarke, Jr., chaired the San Jacinto Memorial Project Committee.

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