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

Birth of a Republic

Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2023

1. Birth of a Republic Marker

Inscription.
This is the birthplace of the Independent Republic of Texas.

The words written here changed the course of history. The building you're looking at is a replica of the original Texas Independence Hall. It was an unfinished storefront that housed the Convention of 1836. Fifty-nine delegates met in frigid March weather right here, on the corner of Main & Ferry Streets in downtown Washington. They passed and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and wrote the new nation's Constitution. They also named Sam Houston commander of the Texas military.

Meeting in this spot was uncomfortable. For the first few days it was freezing cold and the unfinished windows meant they couldn't block the wind. The trip for many delegates would not have been easy. They underwent days of hard travel, only to arrive at a freezing meeting site. The depth of their convictions and the strength of their belief in an independent Texas must have been strong indeed.

Captions
Upper Right: Interior of the recreated building in front of you as it might have looked in 1836.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 30°

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

19.566′ N, 96° 9.394′ W. Marker is in Washington, Texas, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from Park Road 12, one mile Farm to Market Road 1155. The marker is located in the northwest section of the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park near the Texas Independence Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23400 Park Road 12, Washington TX 77880, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Here a Nation was Born (a few steps from this marker); Little Town on the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington-on-the-Brazos (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington's Boom Time (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Campbell Childress (about 600 feet away); Washington County (about 600 feet away); The Heart of the Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rooted in History (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

Also see . . . Washington-on-the-Brazos, TX. Texas State Historical Association

Washington-on-the-Brazos, officially named Washington, in the upper northeastern corner of what is now Washington County, was a major political and commercial center in early Texas. The town was originally named Washington and began to be called Washington-on-the-Brazos or Old Washington only after the Civil
Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2023

2. The Birth of a Republic Marker in front of the Texas Independence Hall
War. Washington was one mile southwest of the junction of the Brazos and Navasota rivers, where the La Bahía Road crossed the Brazos River, seventy miles northwest of Houston and nearly 200 miles up the Brazos from the coast.

(Submitted on February 28, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Birth of a Republic Marker in the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2023

3. The view of the Birth of a Republic Marker in the park

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.