Bryan, Texas, Brazos County seat history, attractions, landmarks, courthouse, photos, hotels. (original) (raw)

TX - Bryan downtown

History in a Pecan Shell

Bryan was named after William Joel Bryan, a nephew of Stephen F. Austin.

A timeline of significant events in Bryan's history:
1820s and 1830s: settled by members of Stephen F. Austin's colony.
1859: the Houston and Texas Central Railroad came through the area and the town was platted.
1866: a post office was granted and Bryan replaced Boonville as the county seat.
1867: The railroad that had been stalled at Millican because of the Civil War came to Bryan.
1868: The Bryan News-Letter became the first newspaper to be published.
1871: the first courthouse in Bryan was built.
1872: Bryan is incorporated.
1876: Texas A&M College opens in nearby College Station.
1877: The Bryan Independent School District was established.
1880: Bryan's first school was opened.
1884: Population reaches 3,000.
1889: Bryan obtained electric lighting and a waterworks.
1892: The fifth Brazos County Courthouse, designed by Eugene Heiner, was built
1900: Bryan has a population of 3,589 and the International-Great Northern Railroad arrived.
1902: Bryan's Carnegie Library was opened with a 10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie
1910: Bryan builds an interurban railroad to College Station, which is abandoned in 1923.
1930s: North Oakwood merges with Bryan and Bryan and College Station become "twin" cities.
1936: State Highway 6 is built through Bryan.
1942: Bryan Air Air Field is opened.
1950: population of Bryan reaches 18,072.

The building of shopping centers and the growth of A & M University drew population and especially businesses away from downtown Bryan in the 1950s and 60s.

Bryan Hotels

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Bryan Landmarks / Attractions

TX - 1955 Brazos County Courthouse

| TX - Bryan Municipal Bldg Childrens Museum | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |

Queen Theatre, Bryan, Texas The former Queen Theater
Saloon sign, Bryan Texas Austin Marshall and Texas Outlaw Ben Thompson once owned a saloon in Bryan TE Photo
Bryan TX - Drive in sign "Drive In" sign
Bryan TX Coca Cola ghost signs Faded signs on the side of a building
Tremont Building, Bryan, Texas The mysterious Tremont Building

Bryan / College Station Tourist Informatiom

Bryan / College Station Chamber of Commerce
979.260.5200
Website - http://www.b-cs.com/

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