Birthplace of
Governor Ross Shaw Sterling (1875 - 1949) 

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Marker Text: Governor of Texas 1931-33, during critical years of the Depression. Born and reared on family farm here.              As a youth hoeing these fields, learned to stay ahead by taking "3 or 4 licks" while others took 2. followed this vigorous philosophy throughout life.
           In 1898 he married Maud Abbie Gage; had 5 children. In 1910 bought 2 wells which he developed into the Humble Oil & Refining Company in 1917. Then entered real estate development in Houston, 1925: bought the Houston "Dispatch" and "Post," forerunners of present Houston "Post." As head of Texas Highway Commission, 1927-30, achieved great reforms in roads programs.
          His term as governor saw forceful handling of crises of the times. He called a special session of the Legislature to deal with over-production in agriculture. Also put teeth into measures to control oil production by placing 4 counties under martial law following violations of conservation rules.
​      When he returned to private life, his fortune had been lost. Undaunted, he launched the Sterling Oil & Refining Company and eventually was head of other major businesses. Philanthropies included gift of his La Porte estate as a boys' home, founding of boys' camp and donations to Texas Christian University.(1970)

Marker No: 9134

Aluminum 27 x 42 Subject Marker 

Geographic: 29.711393, -94.675095

Location: On FM 563 about 1.3 mi. south of its intersection with FM 2936 about 4 mi. south of Anahuac