Reagan, John H., Monument
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Why it's listed
On a rise at the southeast corner of Reagan Park in Palestine, Texas, a granite base carries two bronze statues honoring John H. Reagan. The upper figure shows Reagan in an oratorical pose beside a classical chair, a nod to his nickname, the "Old Roman" of the U.S. Senate. Below him sits a young Roman soldier, an allegory for the Lost Cause of the Confederacy. Sculptor Pompeo Coppini modeled the figures, and they were cast at a foundry in Rome. The United Daughters of the Confederacy's local chapter proposed the monument after Reagan died in 1905, and it was dedicated on 6 July 1911 in the newly created park. Reagan had been a judge, congressman, Confederate cabinet officer and Texas Railroad Commission chairman, and he promoted Palestine's growth. The monument was listed for its artistic value as a work by Coppini and as an expression of early 20th century commemorative values. Vandalism has taken the original sword and a saber pommel.
Significance in brief: The monument is nominated under Criterion C in the area of Art, as a work by the noted sculptor Pompeo Coppini that blends portrait and allegorical figures in a classical style. It is also judged under Criteria Consideration F as a commemorative property. It reflects early 20th century cultural values, honoring a local dignitary and the Confederate heritage of the community.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 98000633, listed June 3, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Reagan Park;vicinity of Park and Crockett Sts., Palestine |
|---|---|
| County | Anderson County |
| Listed | June 3, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000633 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1906-1911 |
| Architect / builder | Coppini, Pompeo (sculptor) |
| Architectural style | Other: sculpture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still serves as a monument in a public park. The original sword has been moved to a museum after vandalism, and the saber pommel has been lost. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.76674, -101.62587 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 98000633.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q49508173
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.