Columbia - The First Capital of The Republic of Texas
In July 1836, Ad Interim President of the Republic of Texas, David G. Burnet, named Columbia as the location for the country's first capital. He selected the town because it had adequate housing for legislators and possessed a newspaper, the Telegraph and Texas Register. The First Congress of the Republic convened in Columbia, and Sam Houston, the first elected President, was inaugurated here on October 22, 1836. The new government addressed a number of important issues while in Columbia, including the reorganization of the Republic's Army and Navy; the organization of a Post Office Department and General Land Office; the establishment of a Court System; and the approval of a National Seal and National Flags. The First Congress adjourned in December 1836, with plans to meet for a second session in the newly built City of Houston.
Although Congress began to meet in Houston, the Executive Branch remained here, conducting official duties until April, 1837, when President Houston moved his Executive Office to his namesake city. Although Columbia no longer served as capital, the Legislation passed here in 1836 continued to play a vital role throughout the years of the Republic. Today, Columbia is revered as a historic community and the First Capital of the Republic of Texas.
Erected 2008
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 29° 8.677′ N, 95° 38.854′ W. Marker is in West Columbia, Texas, in Brazoria County. It is on East Brazos Avenue west of North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west. Between 16th and 17th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 E Brazos Avenue, West Columbia TX 77486, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. 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: Members of the Senate
More about this marker. The site of the First Capital of the Republic of Texas was first identified by a monument placed at the site by the State Centennial Committee in 1938.
A replica of the First Capital building is located a few blocks away and displays a Texas Historical Marker, but for years, the original site was not identified other than with the State Centennial Committee monument.
In 2006, Nita Kennemer, then president of the Columbia Historic Museum, began the process of applying for a Texas Historic Marker.
In 2008, the marker was approved and delivered for installation. Around that same time
The Marker is located in the Capital of Texas Park, a walk through the Birth of Texas at this same location.
The park includes a walking path with 21 stations, each consisting of a black granite monument depicting the people and events of the early Republic, and a central plaza which is representative of the Seal of the Republic.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2011, by Debbie A. Sutherland of West Columbia, Texas. This page has been viewed 4,714 times since then and 143 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Debbie A. Sutherland of West Columbia, Texas. 2. submitted on January 1, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Debbie A. Sutherland of West Columbia, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
