History Stories & local character

West Columbia Served as the First Capital of the Republic of Texas

In 1836, soon after independence, ad interim president David G. Burnet chose Columbia as the republic's first capital. The town, now West Columbia, had housing for lawmakers and a printing press for the Telegraph and Texas Register.

The first elected Congress of the Republic of Texas met there. On October 22, 1836, Sam Houston took the oath as president. Mirabeau Lamar became vice president. Stephen F. Austin served as secretary of state and died in Columbia on December 27, 1836.

Congress moved the capital to Houston in November 1836 because Columbia lacked space for staff. Markers in West Columbia still point to that short capital season.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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More stories and useful context near Brazoria County

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Stories & local character

Lake Jackson Grew as a Dow-Planned Company Town During World War II

Lake Jackson began as a planned town for Dow's wartime Brazosport workforce, with construction starting on December 8, 1941 and the city incorporating in 1944.

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Stories & local character

Brazoria County Is Where the Republic of Texas Was Born

Brazoria County was settled by Stephen F. Austin's first authorized colonists in 1821, hosted the treaties that ended the Texas Revolution, and served as the site of the Republic of Texas's first capital.

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Practical

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Offers Free Access to 44,000 Acres of Coastal Habitat

The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge near Freeport is a free, year-round public refuge with more than 320 bird species, fishing access, hiking trails, and a seasonal auto tour route.

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Stories & local character

Oil and Sulfur Mining Shaped Brazoria County's Economy Before Petrochemicals Arrived

Brazoria County had significant oil production beginning in 1901 and became a leading sulfur-producing county in the early 20th century, laying the groundwork for the later petrochemical industry.

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Place pages in Brazoria County

Alvin Angleton Bailey's Prairie Bonney Brazoria Brookside Village

Nearby county shelves

Fort Bend (58) Galveston (41) Matagorda (12) Harris (64) Wharton (12) Chambers (12)