Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Brownsville Home of Charles Stillman
1810 - 1875
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018
1. Brownsville Home of Charles Stillman Marker
Founder of Brownsville and partner in firm of M. Kenedy and Company, which opened the Rio Grande to steamboat navigation and controlled much of the commerce of Northern Mexico, 1848-1868.
was the birthplace of
James Stillman
President of the National City
Bank of New York, 1891-1909
Erected 1936 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 2531.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 25° 54.056′ N, 97° 29.791′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It is at the intersection of East Washington Street (Business U.S. 77) and East 13th Street, on the right when traveling north on East Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1325 East Washington Street, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stillman House / Residencia Stillman (a few steps from this marker); Stillman House Museum (a few steps from this marker); Stillman House (a few steps from this marker); Home of Charles Stillman (a few steps from this marker); Porfirio Diaz House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cecilio Lerma and Dolores Garcia Lerma
this page online
Regarding Brownsville Home of Charles Stillman. Texas Historic Landmark (1964), National Register of Historic Places (1979). This building now serves as the Stillman House Museum.
Also see . . .
1. Stillman House Museum. Charles Stillman was a Riverboat Captain along with Captains King and Kenedy who operated the Steamboats plying the River as far west as Rio Grande City and Roma. King and Kenedy received large tracts of land in lieu of payment for transporting troops during the Mexican War. Two counties immediately North of the Valley bear their names. Mr. Stillman enjoyed the River too much to leave it. (Submitted on May 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Charles Stillman. Stillman started a town company to sell lots for as much as $1,500 each and named the place Brownsville. By 1850 a population of between 3,000 and 4,000 had concentrated there. Stillman later sold the
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018
2. Brownsville Home of Charles Stillman Marker (wide view; northeast toward 13th Street)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018
3. Brownsville Home of Charles Stillman Marker (wide view; southeast toward Stillman House)
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 19, 2026
4. Brownsville Home of Charles Stillman Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on July 22, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
