Walter Cotton

Walter Cotton was born on December 27, 1895 in Mexia, the son of Lela Jones and Jesse Cotton.  He attended school at Rocky Crossing and at Mexia’s Dunbar School.  He later attended Prairie View College and Samuel Houston College.  He became a teacher, then principal, and eventually superintendent of the Woodland School. 

Mr. Cotton wrote two books, A History of Negroes of Limestone County, Texas from 1860 to 1939 and Missing Links.  Both have become important in documenting early African American history and culture in Limestone County.

Mr. Cotton once said that he had been drawing all his life and began painting in the 1930s out of a desire to preserve the history of African Americans for future generations.  He developed a technique of melting crayons in turpentine and would paint on cardboard, wood, or whatever was available.

Later in the 1960s, Mr. Cotton worked on canvas panels using traditional store-bought oils.  His work can be grouped into three categories: religious, historical, and portraits.  Health problems forced him to stop painting in 1969.  He died on July 25, 1978.