County Seat: Brenham * County Population: 31,248
The Washington County Courthouse was completed in 1939 in a Moderne style as designed by architect Travis Broesche. The limestone structure is decorated with nationalistic eagles, characteristic of New Deal architecture.
Washington County, created in 1836, was an original county of the Republic organized in 1837 with Washington-on-the-Brazos as its initial capital. Territory loss due to creation of additional counties led to a county seat election, with Brenham as the victor in 1844.
The county was named in honor of George Washington, while Brenham refers to Dr. Richard Fox Brenham, a surgeon in the army of the Republic of Texas and a Mier Expedition victim.
The Washington County area was one of the earliest settled regions in Texas, as pioneers from across the United States and immigrants from Western Europe responded to liberal land grants. In fact, Washington County is known as The Birthplace of Texas.
Washington-on-the-Brazos came to be in 1821 and flourished thanks to steamboat navigation on the Brazos River. Delegates from each municipality in Texas gathered in an unfinished frame building in Washington-on-the-Brazos for the Convention of 1836, declaring Texas’ independence from Mexico and writing a new constitution establishing the Republic of Texas, which existed as a separate and independent nation from 1836 to 1846.
Today the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site features a 293-acre park located on the original town site, which served as the capital of the Republic of Texas. The complex includes conference and education centers and showcases Independence Hall, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed.
The last president of the Republic of Texas, Anson Jones, is honored at the Barrington Living History Farm. The southern cotton plantation with historic breeds and heirloom crops depicts 1850s daily life on a working farm.
The Star of Republic Museum and Texas Baptist Historical Museum offer further glimpses into the storied past and rich history of Washington County. Other favorite spots include Somerville Lake along with a variety of antique shops, famous nurseries, and renowned bed and breakfasts.
The county is also known as home to the world headquarters of Blue Bell Creameries, open for tours by the public.
Visitors and homefolks celebrate the area’s local German heritage at the annual Brenham Maifest, one of the oldest spring festivals in the South. The communitywide festival conducted in May is hosted in Firemen’s Park in Brenham and includes extravagant parades, elegant coronations and a carnival.
(Texas Almanac 2006-2007)