Brenham

Duane's take

Now, I'm telling this one straight from the official marker, the way the record has it. Sit back and let me carry you into Washington County. We're talking about Brenham.

Founded in 1843, which means this town was staking its claim on the map before the ink was hardly dry on Texas statehood. Named for Richard Fox Brenham, born in 1810 and gone by 1843, a patriot of the Republic of Texas. The town carries his name, and that name carries some weight.

When the Civil War came calling, Brenham stepped up as a railhead and supply center, the kind of place that keeps an army moving, the kind of place that doesn't get forgotten in the history books. Then in 1883, Blinn Memorial College was founded right here, planting roots of learning deep in this Washington County soil. And it wasn't just soldiers and scholars that made Brenham.

This was, and is, a center for farming, trade, and manufacturing. The real heart of a working Texas community. But here is the part that might just make you want to pull off the highway.

Brenham is home to the famous annual Maifest, a colorful folk tradition that has drawn people together in a way only a town with this kind of character can manage. Historical sites marked throughout. Brenham didn't just make history.

It kept it.

What the marker says

Founded 1843. Named for Richard Fox Brenham (1810-1843), Republic of Texas patriot. Railhead and supply center in Civil War. Blinn Memorial College founded here, 1883. Center for farming, trade and manufacturing. Home of famous annual Maifest, colorful folk tradition. Historical sites marked.