 One of the devotees of the expanded historical marker program was Rupert N. Richardson, the Texas historian who served as a THC member from 1953–1967 and was from 1943-1953 the president of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.The Historical Markers have been manufactured by The Southwell Company, located in San Antonio, Texas.In 1936 the company was awarded the contract to manufacture all of the bronze historical markers for the Texas Centennial.