Home of Chas. Stillman
Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Home of Chas. Stillman, ship owner, merchant, rancher, who came to Brazos Santiago in 1828 and in 1849-50 founded City of Brownsville in old Espiritu Santo Land Grant. Built about 1850 for his bride, Elizabeth Goodrich, of Connecticut. Has separate kitchen, cisterns, carriage house, patio typical of pre-Civil War architecture. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Merchant, ship owner, and rancher Charles Stillman came to the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1828 and went on to found the city of Brownsville in 1849–50 within the old Espíritu Santo land grant. This house was built around 1850 for his Connecticut-born bride, Elizabeth Goodrich, complete with a separate kitchen, cisterns, and patio typical of pre–Civil War border architecture. Stillman became one of the most powerful commercial figures of the lower Rio Grande.
Why it matters
It marks the founding of a major border city and the rise of the trade empires that tied the Texas-Mexico frontier into national and international commerce.
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Related people
- · Charles Stillman
- · Elizabeth Goodrich
Themes & tags
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