Greater East End in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
"Constitution" Bend
Photographed By James Hulse, November 7, 2023
1. "Constitution" Bend Marker
At the time, Houston was less than a year old. It was serving as temporary capital of the Republic of Texas, which was itself barely more than a year old. According to one story, the town's founders John and Augustus Allen (brothers), paid the captain of the boat $1,000 to make the trip as a publicity measure. The trading vessel was approximately 150 x 24 x 8 feet in size, with one deck, no mast, a round stern, male figurehead, and a cabin on the deck.
The "Constitution's" trip up Buffalo Bayou was not easy. Lines were run from it to trees and the boat was laboriously hauled forward by windlass. It ran aground twice. At one grounding, famous passenger Thomas Jefferson Chambers (Patriot of the Republic) had enough time to visit a friend on shore. Upon their arrival at Houston, 35 of the 150 passengers memorialized the captain for his landmark voyage.
The exit of the "Constitution" was no more graceful than her entrance: she had to back down the narrow bayou until she reached a spot wide enough to turn in. The name of this bend records that event.
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1837.
Location. 29° 44.913′ N, 95° 17.534′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Greater East End. Marker is on Clinton Drive east of U.S. 90. The marker is located on Port Houston property adjacent to the pavilion and dock for the Sam Houston Boat Tour. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7300 Clinton Dr, Houston TX 77011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Grateful Nation Remembers (a few steps from this marker); Houston's Deep-Water Port (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas H. Ball, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); WasteShark (within shouting distance of this marker); Hidalgo Park Quiosco (approx. 0.3 miles away); Magnolia Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lorenzo de Zavala (approx. 0.8 miles away); Magnolia Park City Hall and Central Fire Station (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
More about this marker. The marker is located at Port Houston and the port has limited access of the area through a reservation on a boat tour. The Sam Houston Boat Tour offers
Photographed By James Hulse, November 7, 2023
2. The "Constitution" Bend Marker next to the M/V Sam Houston boat
Also see . . . Sam Houston Boat Tour. Port Houston
The M/V Sam Houston has been operating as Port Houston’s public tour vessel since its inaugural voyage on July 30, 1958. This free service offers a leisurely, 90-minute round-trip, educational tour along the Houston Ship Channel. Individuals and groups are invited aboard to learn more about the port and maritime industry.(Submitted on May 18, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, November 7, 2023
3. The "Constitution" Bend Marker is located on the right side
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
