West Columbia in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Near Site of First Capitol of the Republic of Texas
Near site of The First Capitol of the Republic of Texas
About 1833 Leman Kelsy built a story-and-a-half clapboard structure near this location. When Columbia became capital of the Republic of Texas in 1836, the building was one of two which housed the newly formed government. The First Republic of Texas Congress convened in Columbia. Here Sam Houston took office as President and Stephen F. Austin as Secretary of State. In 1837 the government moved to Houston. The 1900 storm destroyed the original capitol. The replica at this site was built in 1976-77.
Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9560.)
Location. 29° 8.673′ N, 95° 38.533′ W. Marker is in West Columbia, Texas, in Brazoria County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North 14th Street and Hamilton Street. Click for map. The replica of the First Capitol of the Republic of Texas is located behind West Columbia City Hall. Marker is at or near this postal address: 512 E Brazos Ave, West Columbia TX 77486, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbia Rosenwald School Columbia - The First Capital of The Republic of Texas (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Columbia Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Columbia United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Columbia (approx. 0.4 miles away); Home of George B. McKinstry (approx. one mile away); Site of the Home of Josiah Hughes Bell (approx. 1.1 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in West Columbia.
More about this marker. Following the March 2 signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the formation of an ad interim government, Ad Interim President David G. Burnet named Columbia (now West Columbia) as the location for the October 1836 meeting of Congress. Two buildings served as the House of Representatives and Senate with a number of smaller log houses serving as offices and committee rooms. Sam Houston, the hero of San Jacinto, was inaugurated as the republicís first president in Columbia on October 22. The first Congress ratified the Constitution, provided an army and a navy, created the judicial branch and postal department, established a financial
Tours of the replica are available by calling the Columbia Historical Museum at 979-345-6125.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The original site of the First Capitol is identified with a Texas State Historical Marker and the Capital of Texas Park.
Categories. • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence •
Credits. This page originally submitted on , by Debbie A. Sutherland of West Columbia, Texas. This page has been viewed 4,431 times since then and 160 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on , by Debbie A. Sutherland of West Columbia, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.