Columbia

In September 1836 Columbia, now known as West Columbia, became capital of the Republic of Texas. This took place with the removal of the ad interim government here from Velasco. After the election called by ad interim President David G. Burnet, the first permanent government of the Republic went into operation here in Columbia in October. Inaugurated were President Sam Houston and Vice-President Mirabeau B. Lamar. Under their leadership the first duly elected Congress convened and the first Constitution of the Republic was ratified. Citizens of this vicinity served the Republic. Henry Smith of nearby Brazoria prior of this time has been the first Anglo-American governor of Texas, in the 1835-36 Revolutionary provisional government. In President Houston's cabinet he was secretary of the treasury. Stephen F. Austin, colonizer and Father of Texas, was secretary of state; under the heavy demands of that office, his health broke and he died here on December 27, 1836. In April 1837 at the wish of President Houston, the seat of government was moved to more adequate quarters in the city of Houston. (1965)

Columbia is a historical marker in West Columbia, Brazoria County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 125 historical markers documented in Brazoria County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 223 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.1423, -95.6486 near West Columbia. The nearest cataloged historic site is Columbia United Methodist Church (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Columbia Cemetery, Angier, Samuel Tubbs, M.D., and Rounds, George.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5039009547. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.