On Dec. 16, 1941, the Texas Biomedical Research Institute began as the scientific dream of its founder, Thomas Baker Slick Jr. A businessman, inventor, oilman, rancher, engineer, philanthropist, peacemaker and adventurer, Tom Slick might best be described as a visionary.

Motivated by the philosophy that the welfare of mankind could best be advanced through scientific endeavor, he dared to imagine a “city of science” in South Texas that could be a “great center for human progress through scientific research.”

By 1940, Slick had already purchased 1,602 acres of land extending from Leon Creek west to Potranco Road and south of Culebra Road. Located eight miles west of downtown San Antonio, this section was the site of the Institute’s original laboratories and became the first part of his famed Essar Ranch, a phonetic name for the letters “S” and “R,” standing for “Scientific Research.”

Its corrals were populated by herds of valuable breeding stock. His cattle breeding success included the original “Brangus,” a hybrid that combined the heat resistance of the Brahman and the meat quality of the Angus. The area would ultimately grow to a 4,000-acre tract.

Endowed with 1,875 shares of the Slick-Urschel Oil Company, FAR’s mission was to provide fundamental research and advanced education, covering agricultural research, the natural sciences and medicine.

In 1952, the institute was renamed the Southwest Foundation for Research and Education, succeeded by the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in 1984. In 2011, the name was changed to Texas Biomedical Research Institute.