Friend of Education

It would be hard to state whether Dr. Goodall Wooten was best known as a physician, philanthropist, civic leader, or friend of education. For nearly forty years he was a beloved phys to the physician in Austin, ministering to the physical needs of many. During this time he was also active in promoting work of the Boy Scouts thru gifts and personal interest. He served as president of the Austin Chamber of commerce for two terms and was zealous in trying to make Austin a better and more beautiful city. His interest in education was evident in his active and loyal support of the University of Texas, of which he was an ex-students, and through his efforts in helping found the Texas Memorial Museum. Goodall Wooten was born in Paris, Texas, in 1869, the son of Henrietta Goodall and Dr. Thomas Dudley Wooten. His father, also a physician, was one of the original members of The University of Texas Board of Regents and served as president of the board for many years. The son, Goodall thus grew up in a family who fostered pride and interest in the University of Texas. In 1872, the family moved to Austin which was Goodall Wooten’s home for seventy years. He attended private and public schools in Austin and U.T., from which he received his bachelor’s degree in 1891 and master’s degree in 1982. He attended the medical school in Galveston and in 1895 graduated from the college of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

From Boy Scouts to Construction

The boy Scouts of the Austin area will long remember Goodall Wooten as one of their greatest benefactors. He was at all times active and interested in the Boy Scouts movement and was friend and classmate of Lyman J. Bailey, who organized the first scout troop in Austin. In 1934, Dr. Wooten purchased for $5,000 the Champion site overlooking Bull Creek, near Austin. The same year he presented these 125 acres to the Boy Scouts of Central Texas for use as a camp site. He also had a well dug on the property and gave more land and gifts for the camp totaling more than $20,000. I this way the campaign for construction of cabins, buildings and improvements for a first class scout camp was begun. The camp was named the Tom D. Wooten Scout Camp after Dr. Wooten’s only son who died in his youth. Goodall Wooten’s hobby of gun collecting is also of special interest to the boys and men of the community. His collection of guns, considered one of the best in the world,, is now on display in the Texas memorial Museum.Dr. Wooten served on the board of the Austin Chamber of Commerce for several years and served as president for the 1936-1937 term and again in 1938-1939. He had a great pride in and love for Austin and was active in promoting civic and cultural growth of the city. In the early 30’s he was named Austin’s :Most Worthy Citizen”, an honor bestowed annually on an outstanding Austin citizen. Dr. Wooten retired in the late 30’s. He died at his home, on the corner of 19th and Rio Grande, on January 30, 1942.

School History

It seemed fitting for the Austin School Board to name one of its schools for this man who gave so much in time and work as well as material wealth to the youth of Austin. The Goodall Wooten Elementary school on Anderson Lane, built in 1955, will have a small part in honoring the memory of this man who gave so much to Austin.