Brazos County
Bryan, Brazos County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Brazos County, part of Stephen F. Austin’s colony, was created from Washington County in 1841. It was first named Navasota County, with Boonville as the county seat. In 1842 the name was changed to Brazos County. Through the Civil War, Millican, located at the end of the railroad from Houston, was a major town. When the railroad was continued through the county, Bryan became the county seat in 1866. The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (Texas A&M) opened in 1876 and College Station grew around it, incorporating in 1938. [original 1936 text: A part of the Municipality of Austin, 1828, Municipality of Washington, December, 1837, Created as Navasota County, January 30, 1841, Name changed to Brazos, January 28, 1842. Organized as Brazos County, February 6, 1843. First railroad reached Millican in 1860. County seat, Boonville 1841-1866. Bryan, since]
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Carved from Washington County in 1841 as part of Stephen F. Austin's colony, this county was first called Navasota with its seat at Boonville, then renamed Brazos in 1842. Through the Civil War, Millican flourished as the end of the railroad from Houston, but when the line pushed north Bryan became the county seat in 1866. The 1876 opening of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas — now Texas A&M — drew College Station into being around it.
Why it matters
The county's shifting seats and names track how railroads and a land-grant college, more than any founding decree, decided where Texas towns rose and thrived.
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Related people
- · Stephen F. Austin
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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