College Station in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Senator Matthew Gaines

Photographed by Morgan Petermann, October 4, 2025

1. Senator Matthew Gaines Marker

Inscription. Just four years after Juneteenth, Gaines won election to the Texas State Senate by a two-to-one margin over his closest contender; becoming one of two Black senators and twelve Black representatives seated in the 12th Texas Legislature in 1870. The next year, he advocated for the passage of a school bill promoting public education for all races and for Senate Bill No. 276. Senate Bill No. 276 allowed Texas to take advantage of the 1862 Land Grant College Act, making the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M University, possible.

Erected 2021 by Texas A&M University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education.

Location. 30° 36.821′ N, 96° 20.462′ W. Marker is in College Station, Texas, in Brazos County. It is at the intersection of Houston Street and Lamar Street on Houston Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 471 Houston St, College Station TX 77840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: James Earl Rudder '32 (within shouting distance of this marker); Aggies in World War I (within shouting distance of this marker); Hart Hall

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Twelfth Man (within shouting distance of this marker); James Earl Rudder (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Main Drill Field, Texas A&M University (about 400 feet away); Nagle Hall (about 500 feet away); Silver Taps (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in College Station.

Also see . . . Matthew Gaines History. (Submitted on October 6, 2025, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas.)

Senator Matthew Gaines statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Morgan Petermann, October 4, 2025

2. Senator Matthew Gaines statue

Senate Bill No. 276 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Morgan Petermann, October 4, 2025

3. Senate Bill No. 276

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2025, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2025, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.