Site of Old Customhouse
San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
Marker Inscription
On El Camino Real - Old Spanish Road. One of 3 ports of entry in Republic of Texas, 1836-1845; here duties were collected for entire eastern border. For many years, only public building in town. Served as courthouse; site of cases tried by many famous lawyers. Replaced by new building in 1855. (1966)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Standing on El Camino Real, the Old Spanish Road, this customhouse was one of just three ports of entry in the Republic of Texas between 1836 and 1845, collecting duties for the entire eastern border. For years the only public building in town, it doubled as a courthouse where noted lawyers argued their cases before a new structure replaced it in 1855.
Why it matters
The customhouse marks how the young Republic of Texas asserted its sovereignty through the everyday business of taxing trade along its frontier border.
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Themes & tags
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