washington county texas genweb

Welcome To Washington County!

Washington County was named for George Washington. On March 1, 1836, delegates elected from each municipality in Texas convened in an unfinished frame building in Washington-on-the-Brazos. While the forces of General Santa Anna laid siege to the Alamo, the Convention of 1836 declared Texas' independence from Mexico, wrote a new constitution which established the Republic of Texas and organized an ad interim government. The county was organized in 1837 and began as a Mexican municipality. Located near the center of Stephen F. Austin's first colony, the area was opened to settlement in 1821 under Spanish control. It is one of the earliest settled areas in Texas. The County seat is Brenham.

The Birthplace of Texas

A free and independent Republic of Texas was officially declared March 2, 1836, when the 54 delegates -- each representing one of the settlements in Texas -- approved the Texas Declaration of Independence. It was here at Washington-On-The-Brazos where it all happened in Independence Hall.

To learn more about this historic county please visit Washington on the Brazos website.

102 Years of History

Blue Bell Creameries, based in Brenham, Texas

In August 1907, the Brenham Creamery Company formed to purchase excess dairy products from farmers and produce butter local sales. In 1911, the creamery began making ice cream, producing a maximum of two gallons each day. E.F. Kruse, who managed the creamery from 1919 to 1951, changed the company's name to Blue Bell Creameries in 1930. During the company's early years, management set the tone for careful business practices and respect for tradition. Under the Kruse family's leadership, business expanded into markets outside of Brenham. Blue Bell has become one of the nation's most successful ice cream brands with a focus on its "country" origins, quality ingredients and friendly service.