Town Named for William Joel Bryan

(1814-1903) Native of Missouri. Member of prominent family who were Texas statesmen, planters, developers. Grandson of Moses Austin, who obtained from Mexico charter for American colony in Texas, but died before making settlement. Nephew of Stephen F. Austin, "Father of Texas", who actually established the colony. Came to Texas with his mother, Emily Austin Bryan Perry, in 1831. During Texas Revolution, fought in Battle of Bexar, 1835. For 71 years was a planter on land near Peach Point, where the bachelor Stephen F. Austin had a room reserved for him in Perry Home. As eldest nephew, inherited family leadership when Stephen F. Austin died in 1836. Backed his brothers' careers, especially in the case of Guy M. Bryan, U.S. Congressman 1858-1860, and for many years a leader in Texas government. During the Civil War, cared for business interests of his 4 sons in the Confederate Army. At his own expense fed Confederate troops stationed near his plantation to defend the Texas coast. Backed construction of deep water harbor at mouth of the Brazos. During building of Houston & Texas Central Railroad, donated site for Bryan, which in 1866 became county seat of Brazos County. (1965)

Town Named for William Joel Bryan is a historical marker in Bryan, Brazos County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 54 historical markers documented in Brazos County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 172 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.6758, -96.3705 near Bryan. The nearest cataloged historic site is Brazos County Confederate Commissioners Court (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Mitchell, Harvey, Zimmerman, Minnie Zulch, House, and Brazos County Courthouse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5041008669. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.