PRISTINE PRAIRIE
THE NASH PRAIRIE PRESERVE near West Columbia protects a 400- acre tract that is one of the last remain- ing segments of the Coastal Prairie. This was once part of the KNG Ranch and contains more than 300 docu- mented plant species, including several rare ones and at least one type of grass thought to be extinct.
www.nature.org.
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Landing at the intersection of the Brazos River and Texas 35.
THE CAPITOL OF TEXAS PARK—A WALK THROUGH THE BIRTH OF TEXAS —The park has 21 historical monuments that depict the time from after the Battle of San Jacinto to 1837 when the capitol moved to Houston. A cistern dates to the Republic of Texas period. Texas native plants are identified. 100 E. Brazos Ave.
www.texasgems.org/park.
COLUMBIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM —The museum traces the historical significance of the Victorian era. The displays also document the West Columbia Oilfield and the ranching industry. A room is devoted to East Columbia. It includes a set of 1860 woodworking planes and two 1890s wedding gowns. Call for Saturday tours. 247 E. Brazos (Texas 35). 979/345- 6125.
www.columbiahistoricalmuseum.com. Rosenwald Schools — Rosenwald schools were
hubs of rural African-American life in the 1930s-40s South. Few survived. This one is a walk-in exhibit at the Columbia Historical Museum.
EAST COLUMBIA MAIN STREET NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT —Founded by Josiah Hughes Bell in 1823, the site was originally named Bell’s Landing and served as a supply depot for settlements on the Brazos River. In 1824, Bell laid out the new town and named it Marion. In 1842, it became East Columbia. 979/345-3921.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS — The Ammon Underwood Home — This is one of the oldest frame houses still standing in Texas. Underwood, who came from Massachusetts to East Columbia in 1834, operated two large cotton plantations in Brazoria County. In East Columbia.
www.westcolumbiachamber.com/ Page_5_Points_of_Interes.php. The Replica of the First Capitol — Built at this
site 1976-77 to commemorate the one that housed the government when Columbia became the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1836. The original was destroyed by the 1900 storm. At 14th and Hamilton. The Sweeny-Waddy Cabin — Built in 1850 as the
home of an enslaved African-American family who worked on the Sweeny’s plantation. Mark and Larkin Waddy remained on the plantation after the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865. In East Columbia. 972/345-3921.
HISTORICAL DRIVING TOURS —Self-guided driving tour booklet describes historical sites around the first capital of the Republic of Texas. Available at the West Columbia Chamber of Commerce. 202 E. Brazos. 979/345-3921.
OLD COLUMBIA CEMETERY —Part of an original grant to one of Stephen F. Austin’s Old 300. Cemetery holds the graves of many Texas Revolution heroes. 16th and Jackson streets. 972/345-3921.
VARNER-HOGG PLANTATION STATE HISTORIC SITE — The plantation, a Texas Historical Commission property, was founded in 1824 by one of Texas’ first colonizers, Martin Varner, and later owned by Texas Gov. James S. Hogg. It features the mansion, period furnishing, historic cemetery and orchards.
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Admission charge. Two miles north of West Columbia on F.M. 2582. 979/345-4656.
www.visitvarnerhoggplantation.com.
WHARTON POP. 8,664
ALT. 111
WHARTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE: 225 N. Richmond Road. 979/532-1862.
www.whartontexas.com
Organized in 1846, the town lies on the scenic Colorado River and southwest of Houston on U.S. 59. The downtown area is known for its quaint antique and gift shops, restaurants, historical murals and restored 1888 Wharton County Courthouse. Also downtown is the 1921 Plaza Theatre (
whartonplazatheatre.org). Riverfront Park overlooks the winding Colorado River. Visit the restored 1915 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot.
MAP R-19
Children can play at Dinosaur Park near downtown.
20TH CENTURY TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM —The museum exhibits items that highlight technological developments in the 20th century. 3615 N. Richmond Road. 979/282-8810.
www.20thcenturytech.com.
DICKSON MONUMENT —A granite shaft honors Sheriff Hamilton B. Dickson, killed in 1894 during the attempted capture of a murder suspect. He was so widely respected that trains were chartered from distant points to accommodate the huge attendance at his funeral. Milam Street. 979/532-1862.
WHARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM —Features the county’s heritage. Displays include wildlife trophies; and photographs of ranching, agriculture, archeology, medicine and local sulfur mines. Includes the former home of Dan Rather, former CBS news anchor. 3615 N. Richmond Road. 979/532-2600.
www.whartoncountyhistoricalmuseum.com.
GULF CO AST
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