Washington-on-the-Brazos
Washington-on-the-Brazos, Washington County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This village -- site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence and first capital of the Republic of Texas -- began in 1822 as a ferry crossing. Here the historic La Bahia Road (now Ferry Street) spanned the Brazos River. In 1834 a townsite was laid out and named, probably for Washington, Georgia, home of a leading settler. In 1835, as political differences with Mexico led toward war, the General Council (the insurgent Texas government) met in the town. Enterprising citizens then promoted the place as a site for the Convention of 1836 and, as a "bonus," provided a free meeting hall. Thus, Texas' Declaration of Independence came to be signed in an unfinished building owned by a gunsmith. The Provisional Government of the Republic was also organized in Washington, but was removed, March 17, as news of the advancing Mexican Army caused a general panic throughout the region. The townspeople fled too on March 20, 1836, in the "Runaway Scrape." After the Texan victory at San Jacinto, the town thrived for a period. It was again capital of Texas, 1842-1845; and became center of Washington State Park, 1916. It now contains historic buildings and "Barrington," home of Anson Jones, the last President of Texas. (1969)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This village on the Brazos River began in 1822 as a ferry crossing on the historic La Bahia Road and became the birthplace of the Texas nation: here, in an unfinished building owned by a gunsmith, delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. As Santa Anna's army advanced, the provisional government fled and townspeople joined the panicked "Runaway Scrape." After San Jacinto secured independence, Washington served again as capital from 1842 to 1845 and later became a state park preserving "Barrington," home of Anson Jones, the Republic's last president.
Why it matters
Washington-on-the-Brazos is where the Republic of Texas was declared into existence, a founding moment that set Texas on the path from independent nation to American state.
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Related people
- · Anson Jones
Related events
- · Signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence
- · Convention of 1836
- · Runaway Scrape
- · Battle of San Jacinto
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Washington County
Washington, TX
On this ground at Washington-on-the-Brazos, delegates gathered from March 1 to 17, 1836, to declare Texas independent, organize a republic, and frame its constitution—even as Santa Anna's army closed in on the Alamo. The marker inscribes the names of all the signers, from Sam Houston and Lorenzo de Zavala to Tejano leaders José Antonio Navarro and Francisco Ruiz, calling on Texans to keep their memory engraved on their hearts.
George Campbell Childress Statue
Washington, TX
Born in Nashville in 1804, George Campbell Childress came to Texas in 1835 after helping raise funds and volunteers for the Texas cause. As a delegate to the 1836 Constitutional Convention held at Washington-on-the-Brazos, he chaired the Committee of Five that drafted the Texas Declaration of Independence, and he was soon dispatched to Washington to seek U.S. recognition of the new republic. He died in Galveston in 1841.
Andrew Robinson Sr.
Washington, TX
Andrew Robinson Sr. was the first of Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300" colonists to reach Texas, arriving in November 1821 with his family and later receiving title to over 9,000 acres. He co-founded the town of Washington, ran a ferry at the La Bahia Crossing, and kept a hotel and saloon. In 1835 he fought at the Battle of Gonzales, where his unit carried the original Lone Star flag sewn by Sarah Dodson.
Asa Brigham
Washington, TX
Born in Massachusetts in 1790, Asa Brigham became a leading figure in Texas's fight for nationhood, serving as alcalde of the Brazoria municipality in 1835 and signing the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. He went on to serve the young Republic as auditor and, for most of its existence, as treasurer. He died in 1844 at Washington, the town where independence had been declared.