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Brazos County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s. Here are seven interesting facts about the county’s past:
1. Brazos County was established in 1841, and Bryan was named as its county seat. The city of Bryan is named after William Joel Bryan, who helped find the site for Texas A&M University.
2. Speaking of Texas A&M University, it was established in 1876 as the state’s first public institution of higher learning. The university has since become a cornerstone of the community, with its influence felt not just in education, but in sports, research, and community outreach.
3. Brazos County played a role in the Civil War. In 1867, a group of ex-Confederates formed the Knights of the White Camelia in Bryan, allegedly with the intent to create a new Confederacy. The group disbanded soon after, however.
4. Brazos County’s courthouse has an interesting architectural background. It was designed by San Antonio architect James Riely Gordon and was built in 1892. The courthouse is known for its distinctive tower, which features a statue of Lady Justice holding a sword and scales.
5. Brazos County has seen its fair share of natural disasters. In 1900, the county experienced a major hurricane that killed more than 6,000 people in nearby Galveston. The county also suffered from numerous floods, including a devastating one in 1957 that forced thousands of people to evacuate.
6. Brazos County has a rich agricultural heritage. Cotton was the county’s main cash crop in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but today, corn, sorghum, wheat, and soybeans are the primary crops grown in the county. Livestock production, particularly beef and dairy cattle, is also important to the local economy.
7. Brazos County has been home to several notable people over the years. Some of the most famous include actress Carolyn Jones (best known for playing Morticia Addams in the TV series “The Addams Family”), former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and “Wizard of Oz” author L. Frank Baum, who started a newspaper in Bryan in the late 1800s.
These are just a few of the many interesting facts about Brazos County’s history. From agriculture to education to famous residents, the county has a diverse past that continues to shape its present and future.
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