FAQs: "Why are you called 'The Birthplace of Texas'?"

People see our marquee in the Visitor Center and frequently ask two questions: "What time is the movie?" and "Why are you 'The Birthplace of Texas'?" Today we'll tackle the Birthplace question. Stay tuned for the movie answer! :-)

So, do YOU know why we have this tagline everywhere? You see it in our logo. You see it in stone as you enter our county. And you definitely see it if you go to Washington-on-the-Brazos. But why?

First of all, the title refers not to Brenham or our Visitor Center, but rather Washington, Texas, in Washington County, at the historic site of Washington-on-the-Brazos to be exact. In 1836, a group of men gathered in a small building known today as Independence Hall to declare independence from Mexico - they wanted Texas to be its own Republic and drafted a Declaration of Independence on that very site of Washington-on-the-Brazos. That gathering became known as the Convention of 1836 and they were successful in their endeavor. On March 1 they gathered, March 2 they declared independence, and on March 14 their constitution was adopted.

March 2, 1836, was Texas' birthday, the very day Texas became its own Republic free from Mexico! Texans have been celebrating its independence ever since, and you can join us for our annual celebration on the Saturday & Sunday closest to March 2nd at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Interesting factoid: Town leaders wanted the town of Washington to be the capitol of Texas, but it was passed up by Republic leaders in favor of Waterloo, later renamed Austin. Washington was, however, the county seat until 1844 when the seat honor was given to Brenham.

As you drive into our county from any direction, you will see one of these signs welcoming you to "The Birthplace of Texas." We're proud that this is the county in which it all started, and we hope you'll take the time to go to Washington-on-the-Brazos to learn more about our beginnings as a Republic and what life was like back in the 1800s!