Bryan in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Harvey Mitchell

(1821-1901)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014

1. Harvey Mitchell Marker

Inscription.
Came to Texas from Tennessee in 1839, and joined "minute men" protecting north frontier from Trinity to Brazos River. Moved to Brazos County; served 1842-1853 in County offices: Deputy Clerk, County Clerk, Surveyor, Chief Justice. Taught school, had a store, farmed. Led in building churches; also Brazos County courthouses of 1846, 1853, 1878. During Civil War, was assessor of Confederate state taxes.

As a member of a local committee, his determination and tact secured the location of the A. & M. College of Texas for his county. He rightly deserves title, "Father of Brazos County".

Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8689.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 30° 40.42′ N, 96° 22.249′ W. Marker is in Bryan, Texas, in Brazos County. It is on East 26th Street west of North Texas Avenue (Local Road 68), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in small plaza near Brazos County Courthouse main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 East 26th Street, Bryan TX 77803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Courthouse Cedar (here, next to this marker); Brazos County Confederate Commissioners Court

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(here, next to this marker); Town Named for William Joel Bryan (here, next to this marker); Brazos County (here, next to this marker); First Baptist Church, Bryan, Texas (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hood's Texas Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carnegie Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Methodist Church of Bryan (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bryan.

Also see . . .
1. Harvey, Texas.
Harvey is on Farm Road 30 some two miles southeast of Bryan in central Brazos County. It was established in 1879 and named for Col. Harvey Mitchell, an early settler of Booneville. Mitchell was known as the "Father of Brazos County" for his contribution to the development of the area. He was a justice of the peace, a minister, a hotel and store owner, a surveyor, and a blacksmith. (Submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Restoring Texas Historical Marker 8689 " Harvey Mitchell". (Submitted on December 15, 2025, by Chris Talley of Bryan, Texas.)

Harvey Mitchell Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014

2. Harvey Mitchell Marker (tall view)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 4,556 times since then and 290 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on December 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.