HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

Fort Bend

Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Built in November, 1821 by William Little, William Smithers, Charles Beard, Joseph Polly and Henry Holster. Its name was given to the county when created in 1837.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Built in November 1821 by William Little, William Smithers, Charles Beard, Joseph Polly, and Henry Holster, Fort Bend marked one of the earliest Anglo-American settlements in what was then Mexican Texas, on a bend of the Brazos River. These men were among the vanguard of Stephen F. Austin's colony, the 'Old Three Hundred,' who planted American settlement in the region. When the county was created in 1837, it took its name from this pioneer fort.

Why it matters

Fort Bend represents the opening of Anglo-American settlement in Texas, the frontier foothold that grew into one of the state's founding colonies.

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Related people

  • · William Little
  • · Joseph Polly
  • · Henry Holster

Themes & tags

Westward ExpansionFrontier HistoryLandmark

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