Washington-on-the-Brazos

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)

Washington-on-the-Brazos is a historical marker in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Washington County, dedicated in 1969. It is one of 155 historical markers documented in Washington County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 355 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.3263, -96.1556 near Washington-on-the-Brazos. The nearest cataloged historic site is Washington County (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Childress, George Campbell, Robinson, Andrew, Sr., and Barrington, Anson Jones.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5477008404. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.