Near Vidor in Orange County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Claiborne West

(1800-1866)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 15, 2022

1. Claiborne West Marker

Inscription. Born in Franklin County, Tennessee, Claiborne West moved as a young man to Louisiana. He married Anna Garner in 1824 and they had nine children. His family immigrated to this area in 1825 and received a land grant in the Cow Bayou settlement.

Soon West joined in the struggle for independence from Mexico. As one of the representatives from Liberty Municipality, he attended the 1832 Convention and the 1835 Consultation at San Felipe de Austin. West was responsible for the designation of Cow Bayou as Jefferson Municipality, the forerunner of Jefferson and later Orange County. He served as a representative from the municipality to the General Council and acted as local postmaster.

At the General Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, West was one of 58 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He helped draft the Republic of Texas Constitution. From July to October, 1836, West served in Franklin Hardin's Company of Volunteers. He then served in the first Congress of the Republic of Texas.

West moved from here to Montgomery County and later settled in Seguin. He was buried in the Riverside Cemetery at Seguin.

Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11523.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1836.

Location. 30° 7.883′ N, 93° 55.276′ W. Marker is near Vidor, Texas, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of Interstate 10 Frontage Road and Enchanted Lane, on the right when traveling west on Interstate 10. Marker is at the entrance to Claiborne West Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vidor TX 77662, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Golden Triangle.

It is also in the American South,

on the Gulf Coast,

and in the Piney Woods.

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Peyton Bland (approx. 3 miles away); Old First Orange Baptist Church (approx. 5.7 miles away); Site Of World War II P.O.W. Camp (approx. 7.4 miles away); Winfree Baptist Church (approx. 7½ miles away); Absalom Jett (approx. 8 miles away); Cow Bayou Swing Bridge (approx. 8½ miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 8½ miles away); Tex Ritter (approx. 9.3 miles away).

Also see . . . West, Claiborne (ca. 1800–1866) - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on January 20, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 15, 2022

2. Claiborne West Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 690 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 20, 2022, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.