Fourth Ward in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Gravesite of John Kirby Allen (1810-1838)
Co-founder of Houston
Houston in 1836 was a humid swamp overgrown with sweet gum trees and coffee bean weeds. In this spot, however, two brothers from New York recognized the future "commercial emporium of Texas."
John Kirby Allen was born and lived in New York until moving to Texas in 1832 with his older brother Augustus Chapman Allen, a professor of mathematics.
A natural leader with a magnetic personality, J.K. Allen was an astute businessman as well. He and his brother soon saw that the area around Buffalo Bayou could readily become a major seaport. Immediately after the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836), J.K. Allen carefully chose the site of future Houston.
On August 24 and 26, the brothers paid $9,428 for 6,642 acres of land originally granted by Mexico to John Austin, a pioneer colonist. Fittingly, they named the town for Sam Houston, leader of the Texas Army.
In glowing words, the brothers advertised their infant town all over the United States; and J.K. Allen, who was soon elected representative to the Texas Congress, worked unceasingly to make Houston the capital of Texas, as it became — 1837 to 1839.
At 28, J.K. Allen died of congestive fever, but the town he founded has since become Texas' largest city.
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 10593.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 29° 45.459′ N, 95° 22.738′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the Fourth Ward. Marker is at the intersection of Valentine Street and West Dallas Street, on the right when traveling south on Valentine Street. Marker is located in Founders Memorial Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1217 West Dallas Street, Houston TX 77019, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Augustus Chapman Allen (here, next to this marker); In Memory of Mrs. Rebecca Lamar (a few steps from this marker); Amos B. Edson (a few steps from this marker); David Porter Richardson (a few steps from this marker); Major Isaac N. Moreland (a few steps from this marker); Archibald S. Lewis (a few steps from this marker); James Collinsworth (a few steps from this marker); William Gammell (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers Associated with the Allen Brothers
Also see . . .
1. John Kirby Allen. Wikipedia (Submitted on September 18, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
2. John Kirby Allen. The Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on September 18, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
3. John Kirby Allen. The Texas Underground (Submitted on September 18, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
4. An article on John Kirby Allen in Enotes. (Submitted on September 18, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 977 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2012. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 18, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.