Surfside Beach in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Velasco
Here was fought a battle -- the first collision in arms between Texas colonists and the Mexican military -- a conflict preliminary to the Texas War for Independence.
On June 26, 1832, when Texans under John Austin and Henry Smith came down river with cannon for use against Mexican forces at Anahuac, they ran against the resistance of Lt. Col. Domingo de Ugartechea. As commander of Mexican forces at Velasco, Ugartechea refused passage through the mouth of the Brazos River to the vessel bearing the cannon to Anahuac. Some 112 Texans attacked the port at midnight, and after 9 hours under the fire of Texas rifles and cannon, the Mexican garrison was forced to surrender.
The Battle of Velasco, brought on by a customs quarrel at Anahuac, was unknowingly fought after the dispute at Anahuac had been peaceably settled. After the victory at San Jacinto 4 years later, President David G. Burnet moved the capital of the Republic of Texas temporarily to Velasco. Here the Treaty of Velasco, ending hostilities between Texas and Mexico, was signed on May 14, 1836. (1965)
Erected 1965 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9605.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1836.
Location. 28° 57.047′ N, 95° 17.162′ W. Marker is in Surfside Beach, Texas, in Brazoria County. Marker is on Blue Water Highway (State Highway 332) near Surf Drive when traveling east. The marker stands 1 block south of Intracoastal Waterway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Surf Dr, Freeport TX 77541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Velasco, CSA (here, next to this marker); Historical Jetties (here, next to this marker); Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (a few steps from this marker); The Lively (approx. one mile away); Battle of Velasco Memorial (approx. one mile away); The San Felipe Incident (approx. one mile away); Republic of Texas Battery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Surfside Beach.
More about this marker. This marker stands next to another Texas Historical Commission Marker and a large stone monument about fifty yards from the entrance booth for autos to the beach. Note: Driving on the beach is permitted in this section.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Velasco. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on October 31, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
2. Battle of Velasco - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on October 31, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
3. Fort Velasco - Wikipedia entry. There were at least four forts at Velasco at almost but not the same location, all called Fort Velasco (see link for more details). (Submitted on March 27, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,708 times since then and 118 times this year. Last updated on April 2, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. 5, 6. submitted on October 31, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.