Downtown Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Harris County
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 16, 2012
1. Harris County Marker
Inhabited during the 17th century by Karankawa and Orcoquiza Indians, and considered in 1756 by Spain for site of Presidio de San Agustin de Ahumada, this region was settled permanently in 1822 by the colonists of Stephen F. Austin. In 1824 John R. Harris (1790-1829) received title to 4,428 acres of land in Buffalo Bayou-Braes Bayou Junction area, and started village named for his family and for Harrisburg, Pa., founded by his grandfather. Colonial settlements in the vicinity were Cedar Bayou, Lynchburg, Midway, Morgan's Point, New Kentucky, and Stafford's Point.First step toward local government was taken when Stephen F. Austin and the Baron de Bastrop met (1824) with colonists at the house of William Scott, Midway, to explain colonization laws. Harrisburg, a town by 1826, was one of the original and most influential colonial municipalities, with a major role in Texas War for Independence, which won freedom in 1836.
The county of Harrisburg (later Harris) was created Dec. 30, 1836. The capital of the Texas Republic was within its boundaries for several years. In the Civil War, it was a command and ordnance center (1863-65),
this page online
Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 10677.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is December 30, 1874.
Location. 29° 45.686′ N, 95° 21.547′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Downtown Houston. Marker is at the intersection of Congress Street and San Jacinto Street, on the right when traveling west on Congress Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1115 Congress St, Houston TX 77002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Founding of Harris County (within shouting distance of this marker); Harris County 1910 Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pillot Building (about 300 feet away); Houston Bar Association (about 300 feet away); Republic Building (about 500 feet away); Sweeney, Coombs & Fredericks Building (about 600 feet away); Site of General Sam Houston House (about 700 feet away); First White House of the Republic of Texas (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Also see . . .
1. Harris County Website. (Submitted on September 17, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 16, 2012
2. Harris County Marker in Distance
2. Harris County, Texas. Wikipedia (Submitted on September 17, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
Photographed By Jim Evans, September 16, 2012
3. Harris County Criminal Courts Building Nearby
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
