Temple Founder Lions Club
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Marker Text: The city of Temple arose from sparse blackland prairie into a railroad boomtown in the 1890s. Within a generation, a nucleus of railroad workers and stores and businesses built toserve them gave way to a diversepopulation and economy with many homes, businesses, schools and churches. To promote and improve their businesses and citiess, merchants established commercial clubs and chamber of commerce in the early twentieth century. In the spring of 1917, George M. Cunningham of Houston, a Lion's club national officer, spent several days in Temple, he enlisted the aid of two Temple businessman, real estate agent Henry K. Orgain and insurance executive William J. Bassett, to launch the city's club. The organization held its first meeting in a downtown hotel on May 30, 1917, with banker Pinckney Downs presiding as temporary president.
Early club minutes document that members were interested in community cleaniness and appearance, patriotism and high ideals for membership. Projects included the sale of liberty bonds during World War I, clean up campaigns for beautification and public health, and findraising for children and the visually impaired. The largest project the club undertook was the creation and continued development of the 100-acre Temple Lions Park. The temple founder Lion Club remains a strong group in Temple and continues to give back to the community with funds raised from the annual follies vairety show, auctions, raffles and golf tournaments. Throughout its exisitence, the Lions have worked with other civic organizations to accomplish large-scale projects. With special attention to neighbors in need, the Lion Club has endeavored to improve Temple's spirit to cooperation and it''s quality of life. (2017) |
Marker No: 18731
27 x 42 Aluminum Subject Marker
Geographic: 31.064337, -97.401520
Location: 4320 Lions Club Road, Temple
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