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Brenham is the county seat for Washington
County. Part of Stephen F. Austin's first colony in
Texas, It was organized in 1837 and named after George
Washington. Being one of the earliest areas open for
settlement, many pioneers moved to the area to take claim on
its large land grants. From this original settlement
many communities and towns evolved including the present day
town of Burton, Chappell Hill, Washington-on-the-Brazos,
Independence and Brenham. The historic town of
Washington-on-the-Brazos was developed on the banks of the Brazos river in
1821. The flourishing cotton trade and steamboat
activity, on and near, the Brazos River, quickly helped
the community of Washington grow into a flourishing town. In 1836, this
was the site where the the Declaration of Independence from
Mexico was signed, and soon after became the Capitol of Texas.
During the 1850's, Washington County began to
receive a large influx of German Immigrants into the area.
The immigrants quickly settled on farms, bringing their, still
very prevalent, German Heritage to this area.
The City of Brenham was established in 1844
and named for, a hero of the Mier Expedition, Richard Fox
Brenham. After the Civil War, Brenham was occupied by
Federal troops. Brenham and Washington County has a
unique place in Texas history and is very proud of its
heritage. |
