Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Governor Andrew Jackson Hamilton
The First Republican Governor of Texas
Photographed By Keith Peterson, September 3, 2007
1. Governor Andrew Jackson Hamilton Marker
Nicknamed “Colossal Jack” because of his imposing stature and his oratorical skill, A.J. Hamilton was born in Alabama. He migrated to Texas about 1846. A lawyer, he served as acting Attorney General of Texas in 1850. His residence once stood one mile east of here while representing Travis County in the 4th Texas Legislature, 1851-53. He donated land for establishing the State Cemetery.
Elected to the U.S. Congress in 1859, Hamilton took a Unionist stand during the secession crisis along with his friend Sam Houston and others. Because of his convictions, he was forced to flee Texas in 1862, during the Civil War (1861-1865). U.S. President Abraham Lincoln commissioned him a Brigadier General and Military Governor of Texas on Nov. 14, 1862. He had little power until he returned to Texas in Jan. 1865, when Federal troops occupied Brownsville. He served as provisional Governor, Jun 17, 1865 – Aug. 9, 1866, during the turmoil of Reconstruction. He was a leader at the Constitutional Convention of 1868-69, and an Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court, 1868-70. Running as a conservative Republican, he lost the Governorship in 1869 to E.J. Davis.
He married Mary Jane (Bowen) (1826-1915) and had 6 children.
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1865.
Location. 30° 16.355′ N, 97° 44.462′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East 11th Street and Congress Avenue, on the right when traveling west. South side of the state capitol grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Governor James Edward Ferguson August 31, 1871 -September 21, 1944 (a few steps from this marker); Site of Second Travis County Courthouse and Walton Building (a few steps from this marker); The Woman Suffrage Movement in Texas (a few steps from this marker); African Americans in the Texas Revolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); First Classes of the University of Texas Law School (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Temporary Texas State Capitol of 1880’s (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Photographed By Michael Heinich, August 24, 2014
2. Governor Andrew Jackson Hamilton Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,214 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on August 24, 2014, by Michael Heinich of Austin, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
