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Texas
| Counties
HARRIS COUNTY,
TEXAS
29° 51' 36"
N, 95° 23' 24" W (29.86, -95.39) |
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Harris County
History
(Historical Marker
on Old Harris County Courthouse grounds, San Jacinto St., Houston)
HARRIS COUNTY
Inhabited during the 17th century by Karankawa and Orcoquiza Indians,
and considered in 1756 by Spain for site of Presidio de San Agustin
de Ahumada, this region was settled permanently in 1822 by the colonists
of Stephen F. Austin. In 1824 John R. Harris (1790-1829) received
title to 4,428 acres of land in Buffalo Bayou-Braes Bayou Junction
area, and started village named for his family for Harrisburg, Pa.,
founded by his grandfather. Colonial settlements in the vicinity were
Cedar Bayou, Lynchburg,
Midway, Morgan's
Point, New
Kentucky, and Stafford's Point. First step toward local government
was taken when Stephen F. Austin and the Baron de Bastrop met (1824)
with colonists at the house of William Scott, Midway, to explain colonization
laws. Harrisburg, a town by 1826, was one of the original and most
influential colonial municipalities, with a major role in Texas War
for Independence, which won freedom in 1836.
The county of Harrisburg (later Harris) was created Dec. 30, 1836.
The capital of the Texas Republic was within its boundaries for several
years. In the Civil War, it was a command and ordnance center (1863-65),
of Trans-Mississippi Department, Confederate Army. It has since grown
into a center for world commerce.
1972 |
Harris County
Town List
Cities, Towns &
Ghost Towns: History, attractions, landmarks, architecture, monuments,
museums, cemeteries, bridges, parks, vintage & contemporary images,
area destinations, hotels,
and forum.
County Seat - Houston
Book Hotel Here - Houston
Hotels |
Harris County
Vintage Maps
|
From 1907 Texas
state map #2090 showing Harris County
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
From
1920 Texas state map #10749 showing Harris County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
From
1940 Texas state map #4335 showing Harris County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
us. |
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