Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texas and the Civil War
Secession Convention
Photographed By Keith Peterson, September 3, 2007
1. Texas and the Civil War Secession Convention Marker
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 caused unrest and drastic action all over the South and in many Texas counties. Despite petitions, editorials and political pressure, Gov. Sam Houston refused to call a special legislative session to consider the position Texas should take on Dec. 3, 1860. A group of secession leaders took matters into their own hands and called on the people to elect delegates to a convention to meet in Austin on Jan. 28, 1861. Counties sent 177 delegates and the convention met in the Capitol from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 and March 2 to March 25. A committee on public safety, with broad powers, acted for the convention between sessions.
By vote of 166 to 7, the convention adopted the ordinance of secession and called for a statewide election – the first state in the Confederacy to let voters have a direct voice. 108 of the 122 counties favored secession by a vote of 46,129 to 14,697.
The convention voted to join the Confederacy, send delegates to its congress, gear for war and raise troops to protect the frontier. When Gov. Sam Houston refused to take the oath supporting the Confederacy the convention replaced him with the Lieutenant Governor, Edward Clark.
Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 12693.)
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Location. 30° 16.449′ N, 97° 44.312′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker is at the intersection of Brazos Street and East 13th Street, on the left when traveling south on Brazos Street. The marker is located in front of the Lorenzo de Zavala Archives and Library Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1201 Brazos Street, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building (a few steps from this marker); The Archive War (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol Greenhouses (within shouting distance of this marker); 1928 Granite Water Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); The Price of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Hood’s Texas Brigade Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Disabled American Veterans of Texas Monument (about 500 feet away); Grotto and Lagoon (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2013
2. Texas and the Civil War Marker (tall view)
Photographed By Michael Heinich, August 24, 2014
3. Texas and the Civil War Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2013
4. Texas and the Civil War Marker (Marker at center; Archives & Library Building in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,322 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on January 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on August 24, 2014, by Michael Heinich of Austin, Texas. 4. submitted on January 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
