Barton, Bob (Jr.)
Bob Barton Jr.
Biography
Bob Barton Jr. (1930–2013) grew up in Buda, Texas, and graduated from Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1954. Along with owning and managing San Marcos' Colloquium Books, Inc., Barton operated a small family ranch near Buda. He published five Central Texas weekly newspapers, including the Hays County Citizen and the Onion Creek Free Press. Barton was very politically active in the Hays Democratic Party and represented District 47 (Hays, Blanco, Llano, and a southern portion of Travis Counties) in the Texas Legislature.
Texas 150 Oral History
Bob Barton Jr. describes his early life and education in the Buda and Kyle areas, specifically recalling how his cattle-driving family came to settle in Texas, attending Buda High School, and graduating from Southwest Texas State Teachers College after serving in the military during the Korean War. He discusses buying, running, and selling the Kyle News newspaper, as well as operating the Colloquium Bookstore. He speaks about the changes San Marcos and Texas politics have gone through over time, including his work with the Hays County Democratic Party. Barton shares his thoughts about Lyndon B. Johnson and discusses his own run for the Texas Legislature.
Full audio is available for this interview. Request via Ask an Archivist.
LBJ100 Oral History Project
Bob Barton Jr. talks about the common history of the Johnson family and his own family, starting around 1870s, when they all lived in settlements in Hays County. He goes on to tell stories about the Johnson family and Lyndon's rise into politics. Barton also talks about the political landscape of San Marcos and the antiwar movement on campus.
Full audio is available for this interview. Request via Ask an Archivist.