How Travis County Was Founded and Named

The Fourth Congress of the Republic of Texas established Travis County on January 25, 1840. This happened just days after the community of Waterloo was renamed Austin and made the capital city. The county was named in honor of William Barret Travis.

Travis died at the Alamo on March 6, 1836, at age 26. He wrote the famous 'Victory or Death' letter during the Mexican siege, asking for reinforcements. The county name was chosen to honor his sacrifice. Austin became both the county seat and the capital of the Republic — a role it has held ever since.