West Columbia in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Stephen Fuller Austin

1793-1836

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 7, 2020

1. Stephen Fuller Austin Marker

Inscription.

Stephen F. Austin's dedication to the settlement of Texas and its role as a republic was unmatched. Working long hours sometimes into the damp night as the republic's secretary of state, Austin caught a cold, which became pneumonia. With his final words of his beloved Texas, he died at the home of his friend Judge George B. McKinstry in Columbia on December 27, 1836 at the age of for- ty-three. After his body lay in state at the capitol building for two days, his coffin was escorted by Texas dignitaries to Bell's Landing and was carried down the Brazos on the Yellowstone, a 120 foot side-wheeler steamboat, a few miles downstream to his sister's Peach Point Plantation where it was interred with military honors. Upon hearing of Austin's death, Secretary of War William S. Fisher stated the following:

"The Father of Texas is no more. The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 27, 1836.

Location. 29° 8.674′ N, 95° 38.827′ W. Marker is in West Columbia, Texas, in Brazoria County. It is at the intersection of East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) and North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Columbia TX 77486, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masons of the Republic of Texas (here, next to this marker); The Brazos River and the Steamboat Yellowstone (here, next to this marker); Columbia in 1836 (here, next to this marker); From Republic to Statehood (a few steps from this marker); The Capitol Oak (a few steps from this marker); Religion in the New Capital (a few steps from this marker); Accomplishments of the First Congress (within shouting distance of this marker); Telegraph and Texas Register (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Columbia.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 7, 2020

2. Stephen Fuller Austin Marker

Stephen Fuller Austin Marker, to the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 7, 2020

3. Stephen Fuller Austin Marker, to the right

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 7, 2020

4. Stephen Fuller Austin Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 13, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.