Texas Bob Travels Home

Henry Smith
Washington - March 2, 1836

"Independence is declared; it must be maintained."

Sam Houston
Washington - March 2, 1836

Texas Bob at Independence Hall

Replica of Convention Hall

Replica of the house in which the Constitutional Convention was held March 1 to 17, 1836, and in which the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed.

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 town site 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. (Historical Marker)

Andrew Robinson, Sr.

First settler of Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300" colonists to arrive in Texas. Came November 1821 with his wife Nancy and 2 children. In 1824 he received title to over 9,000 acres of land and was made a captain in the Colonial Militia. The town of Washington was surveyed on his grant and he became a co-founder of it. By 1830 he was operating a ferry at La Bahia crossing as well as a hotel and saloon. In 1835 he fought in the Battle of Gonzales, where his unit first carried into battle the original Lone Star Flag made by Sarah Dodson. He died 1852

George Campbell Childress

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, January 8, 1804. Died in Galveston, Texas, October 6, 1841. Before coming to Texas in December 1835, he assisted in raising funds and securing volunteers for the Army of Texas. Delegate from the municipality of Milam to the Constitutional Convention held here March 1 to 17, 1836.

Chairman of the committee of five which drafted the Texas Declaration of Independence, appointed by President Burnet March 19, 1836, agent of Texas at Washington to secure the recognition of the sovereignty and Independence of Texas by the United States.

Anson Jones

1798-1858

Last President of the Republic of Texas, surgeon in the army, soldier at San Jacinto, representative and senator in the Congress of Texas, minister to the United States.

Residence built in 1845 at Barrington, country home of Dr. and Mrs. Anson Jones, moved to this site in 1936.

Barrington Living History Farm,

Part of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park, is patterned after the cotton plantation of Anson Jones, who was the last president of the Republic of Texas. Jones' restored 1845 dogtrot-style, two-story frame home, as well as replica outbuildings such as slave quarters and a corn crib, are all located at Barrington.