Jacob Fontaine
historical marker
Jacob Fontaine, born around 1808, arrived in Austin, Travis County, Texas, around 1850 as an enslaved person. After emancipation, Fontaine became a significant community leader. In 1864, he began preaching for enslaved people, leading to the founding of the First Baptist Church, Colored, around 1867. This became one of Austin's oldest Black churches, and he established several others in the area. Fontaine was also politically active, becoming one of the first Black men to vote in Travis County. In 1876, he founded "The Gold Dollar," Austin's first Black-owned newspaper, publishing it from his home. He notably advocated for the establishment of the University of Texas in Austin in 1881. Jacob Fontaine died in 1898. A historical marker in Austin, Travis County, was erected in 1986 by the Texas Historical Commission to recognize his contributions. This marker honors a pivotal figure in Austin's post-emancipation history.