On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
• Ratified the constitution
• Appointed committees
• Provided for protection from Indians
• Provided for the army and navy
• Created the judicial branch
• Created the postal department
• Created the land office
• Established a . . . — — Map (db m164582) HM
Near East Jackson Street east of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Byrd Lockhart, Jr. moved to Green DeWitt’s Colony from Missouri around 1826 with several female relatives. He worked as a surveyor for the colony and settled in Gonzales, where he organized defenses against Indian attacks and supervised . . . — — Map (db m173015) HM
On West Brazos Street (State Highway 35) at Brown Street, on the left when traveling west on West Brazos Street.
Charlie Brown, born a slave in the late 1820s, came to the Brazoria County area from Virginia before the Civil War. Despite being illiterate and using an X for his mark beside his name on legal transactions, Brown acquired a vast amount of land . . . — — Map (db m172982) HM
On South 17th Street (State Highway 35) at East Bernard Street, on the right when traveling north on South 17th Street.
In September 1836 Columbia, now known as West Columbia, became capital of the Republic of Texas. This took place with the removal of the ad interim government here from Velasco. After the election called by ad interim President David G. Burnet, the . . . — — Map (db m49703) HM
On East Brazos Avenue west of North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west.
In 1836 and 1837, the town of Columbia (Now West Columbia) served as the capital of the Republic of Texas. Josiah Hughes Bell, a colonist with Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred, surveyed and platted Columbia in 1824 to serve as a center for . . . — — Map (db m41707) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) west of North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west.
When ad interim President David G. Burnet selected Columbia to serve as
the capital for the first elected Congress of the Republic of Texas, Columbia
had a population of approximately 3,000. A group of businessmen promised accommodations for use . . . — — Map (db m164586) HM
A grant from the Rosenwald Foundation of Chicago led to the establishment of a local school for African American students. The foundation represented a collaboration between Julius Rosenwald, President of Sears, Roebuck, and Company, and the . . . — — Map (db m83276) HM
On South 16th Street, 0.1 miles north of East Jackson Street, on the right when traveling north.
This congregation traces its history to early Methodist missionary activity during Texas' years as a republic in 1839. The Rev. Isaac L. G. Strickland was assigned to the Brazoria Circuit and organized a Methodist Church in Columbia (now West . . . — — Map (db m46456) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
Under Mexican rule, the municipality of Columbia was a part of
the Department of Brazos, State of Coahuila and Texas. In early
1830, the Mexican government imposed a series of new policies in
an effort to strengthen Mexico's hold on the . . . — — Map (db m164566) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) west of North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Due to the lack of accommodations in Columbia, a competition was
announced to search for a new capital location on November 14,
1836 with a decision to be made on November 30. Four ballots were
needed before the newly established town of . . . — — Map (db m164588) HM
On East Brazos Avenue at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
General Santa Anna, the president of Mexico, posed one of the greatest
problems to the new republic. Captured following the Mexican army's defeat at San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, Santa Anna and the Texas cabinet traveled aboard the steamboat . . . — — Map (db m164569) HM
Near East Jackson Street east of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
New Yorker George Rounds served in Col. James W. Fannin's regiment in the Texas War for Independence but escaped the Goliad Massacre. He settled in Columbia, where he operated a tavern. Just before his death, he drew up a will devising his estate . . . — — Map (db m173039) HM
Near Oil Field Road (County Route 467) 0.5 miles east of Texas Highway 36W, on the right when traveling east.
A member of Austin's colony, 1829. Soldier in the Battle of Velasco; delegate to the General Convention, 1832; chief justice of Brazoria County, 1836. In this home, built about 1830, Stephen F. Austin died, December 27, 1836 — — Map (db m78618) HM
Near East Jackson Street south of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Faithful soldier, Texas War for Independence. He was in unit of Capt. Jacob Eberly, detailed by Gen. Sam Houston to guard Bell's Landing (East Columbia) until civilians could escape in front of Santa Anna's army. He and 15 others then hurried to . . . — — Map (db m173011) HM
Near East Jackson Street east of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Born in Georgia September 24, 1798 Died July 10, 1837 Delegate to the Consultation, 1835 Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836 — — Map (db m173097) HM
Near East Jackson Street east of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
A member of Stephen F. Austin's original 300 colonists, Josiah Hughes Bell was born August 22, 1791, in Chester District, South Carolina. Josiah Bells father died when he was five years old, so he went to live in Tennessee with family to learn the . . . — — Map (db m182814) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
Josiah Bell, a personal friend of Stephen F. Austin and member of
The Old Three Hundred, managed Austin's colony for seventeen
months while Austin traveled to Mexico to negotiate with the
newly independent Mexican government to continue his . . . — — Map (db m164565) HM
Near East Jackson Street east of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Born in North Carolina to Andrew and Elizabeth (Stevenson) McKenzie, Mary Eveline McKenzie met her future husband, Josiah Hughes Bell, while visiting her aunt and uncle in Christian County, Kentucky, where her family helped found Little River . . . — — Map (db m172994) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
A tribute to the fidelity of pioneer Masons whose outstanding
leadership laid the cornerstone of the Republic of Texas. These
great Masons gave us our freedom, our heritage, our liberty, and
strengthened our faith in God. No men could have . . . — — Map (db m164584) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (U.S. 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
Mosely Baker
Austin -
Thomas J. Green
Bexar -
John W. Bunton
Bastrop -
Jesse Billingsley -
Dr. Branch T. Archer
Brazoria -
John A. Wharton -
John G. Robinson
Colorado -
John Chenoweth
Goliad -
William S. Fisher
Gonzales -
Jesse H. . . . — — Map (db m164575) HM
On E. Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35), on the right when traveling west.
Dr. Stephen H. Everitt -
Jefferson and Jasper -
Robert Wilson -
Harrisburg and Liberty -
William H. Landrum -
Shelby and Sabine -
Shelby Corzine -
San Augustine -
Sterling C. Robertson
Milam -
Alexander Somervell -
Austin and . . . — — Map (db m164578) HM
Near East Jackson Street east of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Came to Texas in January, 1836 Led out to be shot with Fannin's men, March 27, 1836, but escaped Fought at San Jacinto in Captain William H. Patton's company Died in Columbia, December 27, 1836 — — Map (db m173082) HM
Near site of The First Capitol of the Republic of Texas
About 1833 Leman Kelsy built a story-and-a-half clapboard structure near this location. When Columbia became capital of the Republic of Texas in 1836, the building was one of two . . . — — Map (db m43057) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
President
Sam Houston -
Vice President
Mirabeau B. Lamar -
Secretary of State
Stephen F. Austin -
Secretary of Treasury
Henry Smith -
Attorney General
James Pinckney Henderson -
Secretary of War
Thomas J. Rusk -
Secretary of . . . — — Map (db m164576) HM
On North 13th Street at Hogg Ranch Road, on the left when traveling east on North 13th Street.
In the 1920s, the Hogg family built this row of cottages and the barn. Generations of cattle hands, workers, and property managers called these cottages home. The Hogg family built these cottages in the midst of the oil boom to provide . . . — — Map (db m173814) HM
On E. Jackson St., 0.8 miles east of S. 17th, on the right when traveling east.
Site given by Josiah H. Bell family out of their grant, the first deeded to one of "Old 300" in colony of Stephen F. Austin. Has graves of many heroes of Texas Revolution of 1836.
Deeded in 1852 to Bethel Presbyterian Church. Since 1933 managed . . . — — Map (db m172990) HM
On Farm to Market Road 1301 at County Route 376, on the right when traveling south on Road 1301.
Zeno Phillips, one of Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300" colonists, acquired land here in 1829. Zeno and his brothers John Clark, Sidney, and James Ray (J.R.) Phillips, served in the Republic of Texas Army. The cemetery began with the burial of Zeno and . . . — — Map (db m96305) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (U.S. 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
The newly formed Republic of Texas faced many problems. With
no credit and no resources other than land, the republic had a
debt of 1.25 million dollars. Hostile Indians plagued the population. The new government appropriated $20,000 to . . . — — Map (db m164574) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
During the early colonization of Texas, the Catholic religion was the
established religion of Texas. As the colonists arrived in Texas to receive
their land grant they were required to accept the Catholic faith even
though many of them were of . . . — — Map (db m164590) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (U.S. 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
In the August 9, 1836 issue of the Telegraph and Texas Register,
Stephen F. Austin, Henry Smith and Branch T. Archer were listed
as candidates for the office of president of the new republic.
Archer later withdrew and threw his support to . . . — — Map (db m164572) HM
Near East Jackson Street south of South 16th Street, on the left when traveling east.
Samuel Tubbs, born in Pembroke, Massachusetts in 1792, took the surname of his paternal grandmother, Katurah Angier, in 1812. He received his medical degree from Brown University in 1823 and in 1824 came to Texas as a member of Austin's Old 300 . . . — — Map (db m173055) HM
On E. Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35), on the right when traveling west.
Following the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on
March 2, 1836 at Washington on the Brazos, an ad interim government was formed. Headed by President David G. Burnet and Vice
President Lorenzo de Zavala, this government . . . — — Map (db m164571) HM
Near South Columbia Drive (State Highway 36) north of Reid Road, on the right when traveling north.
One of the “Old Three Hundred” who came to Texas with Stephen F. Austin in 1821 • First alcade (sic, alcalde) of Austin's Colony • On this tract of 6,642 acres, granted him in 1824, was later built the town of Columbia, First . . . — — Map (db m52793) HM
On Jackson Street, on the right when traveling east.
St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 5 traces its history to 1838 when a warrant of dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The first worshipful master, Daniel T. Fitchett, was installed by . . . — — Map (db m172984) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
Stephen F. Austin's dedication to the settlement of Texas and its
role as a republic was unmatched. Working long hours sometimes
into the damp night as the republic's secretary of state, Austin
caught a cold, which became pneumonia. With his . . . — — Map (db m164585) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (Texas Route 35) at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
The fact that the Telegraph and Texas Register was operating in
Columbia following the revolution helped in Burnett's selection of
Columbia as the location for the meeting of Congress on October 3,
1836. The newspaper became the voice of the . . . — — Map (db m165828) HM
Near East Jackson Street east of South 16th Street, on the right when traveling east.
First male child born in Austin's colonies in Texas Born October 4, 1822 Died in March, 1871 His wife, Elizabeth Cayce Bell Born September 30, 1830 Died Feb. 24, 1864 — — Map (db m173006) HM
Near Val Verde Court east of Hogg Ranch Road, on the right when traveling east. Reported missing.
Last home of James Stephen Hogg, first native Texan to be elected governor. Located on an 1824 Spanish land grant made to Martin Varner. House built by sugar planter C. R. Patton. Restored 1920. Given to the State, 1958, by Miss Ima Hogg. . . . — — Map (db m173811) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) west of North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west.
The Brazos River, whose formal name Brazos de Dios is Spanish for Arms of
God, is the longest river in Texas. As it wound its way through Texas, it witnessed the coming of the first Anglo settlers, the signing of the Texas Declaration of . . . — — Map (db m164587) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
No single building was large enough to house both the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Two buildings served the two
bodies of Congress with a number of smaller log houses serving
as offices and committee rooms. The Senate met in a . . . — — Map (db m164579) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) west of North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west.
A triple trunked live oak tree stood near the buildings which
housed the House of Representatives and Senate. Tradition holds
that the Texas Declaration of Independence was first read publicly
under this tree causing it to also be called . . . — — Map (db m164589) HM
On East Brazos Avenue (State Highway 35) at South 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
The Old Three Hundred refers to the settlers who received land
grants in Stephen F. Austin's first colony. In 1821, Moses Austin,
Stephen's father, received the first land grant offered by the Spanish government to settle 300 families. Upon . . . — — Map (db m164563) HM
On East Brazos Avenue at North 17th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Brazos Avenue.
In January of 1836, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began gathering
troops on the Rio Grande River to begin his attempted take-over of Texas. Texans living in the southern parts of Texas began fleeing eastward to escape the invading Mexican . . . — — Map (db m164568) HM
On North 13th Street east of Hogg Ranch Road, on the right when traveling west.
Over the years, around a hundred enslaved men, women, and children lived here on the Patton plantation. Eighteen slave cabins once stood near this spot, forming a small community separate from the "big house" across the creek. The slaves . . . — — Map (db m173817) HM
On North 13th Street east of Hogg Ranch Road, on the right when traveling east.
In the 1840s, the Patton family slaves built this factory to produce sugar and molasses from sugarcane. Today, you can still see the outline of its foundation. Only the wealthiest planters could afford the massive investment of a sugar mill . . . — — Map (db m180369) HM
On State Highway 36, 0.5 miles south of County Road 4, on the right when traveling north.
In 1920, Texas & Pacific Railway official William H. Abrams (1843-1926) of Dallas owned this old plantation land, then considered fit only for pasture. He leased mineral rights to the Texas Company (now Texaco, Inc.), whose drilling reached a . . . — — Map (db m52766) HM