Bell's Landing
East Columbia, Brazoria County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded 1823 as Brazos River landing for Josiah H. Bell's plantation. Townsite of Marion laid out in 1824. Later named East Columbia. Army enlistment point and ferrying dock during Texas Revolution. Key river port and trade center during Republic of Texas days. (1965)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Established in 1823 as a Brazos River landing for Josiah H. Bell's plantation, this spot grew into the town of Marion—later East Columbia—laid out in 1824. During the Texas Revolution it served as an army enlistment point and ferrying dock, and in the years of the Republic it thrived as a key river port and trade center. The Brazos was then a highway, and landings like this one were its ports.
Why it matters
Bell's Landing shows how river commerce, not roads, first stitched together the plantations and towns of early Anglo Texas.
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Related people
- · Josiah H. Bell
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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