Boonville, Texas facts for kids
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 Location in the State of Texas |
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| County | Brazos County | ||
| Area - Land - Water |
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| Population - Total - Density |
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| Time zone - Summer (DST) |
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| Latitude Longitude |
30°36'5" N 96°18'52" W |
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Boonville was once an important town in Brazos County, Texas. It was the very first county seat, which means it was the main town where the county government was located. Today, Boonville is known as a ghost town, meaning it's no longer an active community.
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History of Boonville
Boonville played a big role in the early days of Brazos County. This area was actually called Navasota County at first! The town was the county seat from the 1840s all the way to the 1860s.
Why Boonville Was Important
The town got its name from Mordecai Boon, Sr. He was the nephew of the famous American explorer, Daniel Boone. Being the county seat meant Boonville was the center for important decisions and activities in the county.
How Boonville Became a Ghost Town
Things changed for Boonville in 1866. A new railway, called the Houston and Texas Central Railway, was built. It extended from a town called Millican to a new place named Bryan. Because of the railway, Bryan became the new county seat. This change caused Boonville to slowly lose its importance and become a ghost town.
Exploring Boonville Today: The Heritage Park
The old town site of Boonville is now part of the city of Bryan, close to State Highway 6. For a long time, the only thing left of Boonville was a cemetery on Boonville Road. This cemetery has a special monument from the Texas Centennial, which celebrates 100 years of Texas independence.
Since 2015, the area around the cemetery has become the Boonville Heritage Park. This park helps people learn about Boonville's history. It has new buildings, including an old log cabin built in 1856. This cabin was moved here from Grimes County to be part of the park. The park also features a special area called the Six Flags Over Texas Plaza. You can also see a replica of a "Twin Sister" cannon, which were famous cannons used in Texas history. Plus, there are signs that explain the history of the area.
