Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington-on-the-Brazos
Washington
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Replica of Independence Hall, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. The inscription reads: "Here a Nation was born."
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 Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas
Location in Texas
Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Washington |
| Elevation | 69 m (226 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77880
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| Area code(s) | 979 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1349512 |
Washington-on-the-Brazos is a small, unincorporated community located along the Brazos River in Washington County, Texas, United States. It is famous for being the place where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836. This event led to the creation of the Republic of Texas.
The town was named after Washington, Georgia, which itself was named for George Washington. Originally, it was just called "Washington." But after the American Civil War, people started calling it "Washington-on-the-Brazos." This helped tell it apart from Washington, D.C., which is "Washington-on-the-Potomac."
Contents
History
Early beginnings
In the early days of Texas, Washington-on-the-Brazos was a very important place for politics and business. It was about 70 miles northwest of Houston. It was also over 200 miles up the Brazos River from the coast. The town was built near where the Brazos and Navasota rivers meet.
In 1821, families like Andrew Robinson's moved near the future town site. Robinson received land from the Mexican government in 1824. By 1822, he was running a ferry at a busy river crossing. This crossing helped a town called La Bahia grow.
In 1831, Robinson gave some land to his daughter Patsy and her husband, John W. Hall. Hall saw that the area had great business potential. In December 1833, he planned out a new town. The first house was built by Methodist leader John W. Kenney. In 1835, Captain Hall and others formed the Washington Town Company. They bought more land from Robinson. Dr. Asa Hoxey, who used to live in Washington, Georgia, named the new town "Washington."
By 1835, Washington had become a key place for supplies. Merchants and traders moved there because of its location on the river and important roads. The town grew as more people moved into Texas and farming increased. Washington was also a good place to live because it was on cliffs above the river. This made it healthier and safer from floods.
Texas's capital city
In December 1835, General Sam Houston moved his army's headquarters and supply base to Washington. By 1836, about 100 people lived there. Local business owners offered a free meeting hall for the Convention of 1836. This was the only building large enough for the meetings. Many delegates had trouble finding places to stay.
Between March 1 and March 17, 1836, important things happened in Washington. Delegates wrote the Republic of Texas Constitution and the Texas Declaration of Independence. They also formed a temporary government. However, the people of Washington and the Texas government had to leave quickly. They fled to avoid Antonio López de Santa Anna's army.
After Texas won the Battle of San Jacinto, Washington became even more important. Many new settlers came, and farming grew in the area. The town became a legal center when it was chosen as the county seat. Nearby forests helped sawmills start running by 1837. A brickyard also opened, helping to build the town. In 1836, the Republic of Texas opened a post office in Washington.
In 1837, Texans celebrated their first independence anniversary with a big ball in Washington. The Texas Congress officially recognized the town on June 5, 1837. On December 29, 1837, it became an official local government. The town also saw the building of a racetrack and many bars. This created a lively, but sometimes challenging, atmosphere.
In 1837, the first Missionary Baptist church in Texas was founded in Washington. Religious leaders worked to improve order in the town. A revival in 1840 helped reduce disorderly behavior. This led to the founding of Washington's second Baptist church in 1841. By 1838, Washington was a center for religious activity.
The town's economy grew, making it a hub for media and education. The Masonic Lodge, formed in 1838, helped fund the Washington Masonic Academy in 1841. By 1839, the town had 250 people. Washington's first newspaper, Texas Emigrant, was published in 1839. Other newspapers followed.
In 1841, Mount Vernon became the county seat. But Washington was chosen to be Texas's capital again in 1842. The presence of the Texas Congress, high courts, and foreign embassies made the town's economy and social life boom. In 1844, the Washington Masonic Lodge received a new charter. In the summer of 1844, peace talks between President Houston and Native American groups happened in the town.
In 1845, important events took place in Washington. Anson Jones became president, and his inaugural ball was held there. The Texas Congress also met to approve Texas joining the United States. Later in 1845, Austin became the capital again. Washington then lost its political importance.
A town's slow decline
Washington was near the highest point on the Brazos River where steamboats could travel. After the steamboat Mustang arrived in 1842, people wanted to make Washington a major riverport. It became a center for trade between the interior of Texas and the Gulf Coast.
However, floods in 1843–1844 hurt cotton farming and made river travel difficult. Diseases also spread in Washington in 1844–1845. In 1848, town citizens formed the Brazos Steamship Association. They bought two steamboats to start regular service. Between 1849 and 1858, Washington's economy and population grew fast. It was a popular stop for steamboats and a key place for shipping cotton.
Washington was a busy stagecoach stop and riverport. It had many businesses serving travelers, and shops selling goods. There were also industries like leather, wood, and metal manufacturing.
The Texas Ranger and Brazos Guard newspaper started in Washington in 1847. More churches were founded, including a Presbyterian church (1847) and an Episcopalian mission (1848). The population grew to 750 by 1856. At its peak, Washington had two newspapers, four churches, two hotels, and a busy business district.
In 1858, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad offered Washington $11,000 to connect the town to its planned rail route. But Washington turned down the offer. A new road was built to Hempstead in 1858. The building of railroads to Navasota in 1859 and to Brenham in 1860 hurt Washington. The town had relied on river transportation. As trains became more popular, steamboat service stopped. This caused the once-busy riverport to decline.
In the 1860s, most people moved to Brenham or Navasota. Some buildings, like the Episcopal church, were even moved. Washington became a small supply center for the nearby farms.
Becoming a historic site
By 1884, only about 175 people lived in Washington. By 1889, most of the town had become farmland. A Masonic Hall was one of the last old buildings to burn down in 1912. In that year, Washington had about 100 residents. It had a few grocery stores, a blacksmith, a doctor, and a cotton gin.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, the population stayed around 300. In 2000, 265 people lived in the area. It still had a post office, two churches, cemeteries, and a volunteer fire department. The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site became the main center of activity.
In 1915, the state government set aside money for a park. This park included part of the old town site. Every March 2, Washington-on-the-Brazos celebrates Texas independence. Major celebrations happened in 1936 (Centennial) and 1986 (Sesquicentennial). The Star of the Republic Museum, built in 1970, holds many artifacts and historical documents. Anson Jones's home is also preserved at the park's Barrington Living History Farm.
Between 1964 and 1969, archeologists studied the site. Their discoveries helped make the rebuilt buildings look more like they did during the Republic era.
Culture
The town is home to the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Site. This site has three main attractions:
- The Star of the Republic Museum: A museum about the Republic of Texas.
- A replica of Independence Hall: This is where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed.
- Barrington Living History Farm: This was the home of Anson Jones, the last president of the Texas Republic.
The town also has the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. It was founded in 1849 and is the oldest Black Catholic church in Texas.
Washington Avenue in Houston is named after Washington-on-the-Brazos. It was once the main route to Washington County.
Geography
Washington-on-the-Brazos is located on Farm to Market Road 912. It is off Texas State Highway 105. The town is about 18 miles (29 km) east of Brenham. It is also about 10 miles (16 km) west of Navasota. It sits in the upper northeastern part of Washington County. The town is near where the Brazos and Navasota rivers meet.
Education
The first school in Washington may have been started by John Hall's wife in 1837. The local Masonic Lodge helped support an academy. The Washington Female Academy taught girls in 1856 and 1857. In 1899, schoolchildren from Brenham placed a marker at Independence Hall.
In the 1930s, the community had two schools. One of these schools was for African American students. Today, students in the community attend schools in the Brenham Independent School District.
Gallery
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Inside the replica of the building where Texan independence was declared on March 2, 1836
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Visitor Center at Washington-on-the-Brazos
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Star of the Republic Museum is located within the state historical park.
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Frontier cabin replica at Star of the Republic Museum
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Steamboat exhibit at Star of the Republic Museum
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Entrance to Barrington Living History Museum
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Barrington Farm, residence of Anson Jones
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Corral at Washington-on-the-Brazos
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Washington-on-the-Brazos historical marker
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Texas Historical Marker for Andrew Robinson Sr.
