Independence or Coles Settlement

INDEPENDENCE or COLES SETTLEMENT

NAME: Independence or Coles Settlement
COUNTY: Washington
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 4
CLIMATE: Warm winter, hot summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT:Winter, spring, fall

COMMENTS: Very interesting and historical place to visit.
REMAINS: Many Original buildings including 19th century homes, old Baylor, the cemetery.

The oldest house in Washington County is that of John P. Coles who first settled in the area in 1824, at which time he built his home which still, stands. To celebrate the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the people of Coles Settlement in 1836 changed the name of the town to Independence in honor of the event. Independence is remembered for several reasons. Its most famous citizen is Sam Houston who lived there from 1853 to 1858. Another reason is Independence is the birthplace of Baylor University. Its first year of operation was in 1846, beginning upper-level studies the following year. The reason Baylor is no longer in Independence is the same reason for the general economic decline of the town. Railroad tracks were laid in every direction but none passed through the town. Other towns grew up along the railroad sapping the economic strength from Independence. It is now a rural community with few residents. However, visitors find Independence enormously interesting given its historic nineteenth century homes, the ruins of old Baylor University, exhibits in the Historical Center and an intriguing cemetery. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenoweth	Baylor College, 1884 Courtesy State Library, Austin Texas Picture of Independencein the early 1880's as seen from the Baylor University Male Campus. Note: Gen. Jerome B. Robertsons's House in foreground. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Independence Baptist Church organized in 1839. Originally it was an adobe structure that burned down and was replaced in 1872 by this building. Sam Houston was converted in this church and baptised in Rocky Creek just south. Courtesy Mike Woodfin The four columns ruins of the front facade of the Baylor Female Building, a three-story classroom and chapel structure (1854-86). Structure eventually fell in on itself. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Ruins of the Kitchen of the Baylor College (1851) Courtesy Mike Woodfin Blanton Hotel (on left) built in 1853. Stage Coach Depot built in 1850's traveling the La Bahia Road. Both restored as private residences. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Built in 1934 from the stones of Baylor Univ. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Located on the site of Dr. Thomas C. Hairston house built in the 1850's. This was Hairston's stone kitchen, restored. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Dr. Thomas C. Hairston's office which was moved to this site from across the road. Courtesy Mike Woodfin General store Built circa 1900. Owners included Booker, Schulte, and Wasson families. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Gil Martins General Store. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Mrs. Sam Houston's grave. She died in 1867 of yellow fever. Courtesy Mike Woodfin This thick adobe was built in the 1830's to house Mexican prisoners. It was later used as a residence Courtesy Mike Woodfin 1850 residence of Mrs. Sam Houston after Houston died in 1863. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Site of seveal school sites. This final one was built in 1939. Courtesy Mike Woodfin Shannon family store. Served as the Post Office for many years. Courtesy Mike Woodfin 1850 Wilson House Courtesy Mike Woodfin

The oldest house in Washington County is that of John P. Coles who first settled in the area in 1824, at which time he built his home which still, stands. To celebrate the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the people of Coles Settlement in 1836 changed the name of the town to Independence in honor of the event. Independence is remembered for several reasons. Its most famous citizen is Sam Houston who lived there from 1853 to 1858. Another reason is Independence is the birthplace of Baylor University. Its first year of operation was in 1846, beginning upper-level studies the following year. The reason Baylor is no longer in Independence is the same reason for the general economic decline of the town. Railroad tracks were laid in every direction but none passed through the town. Other towns grew up along the railroad sapping the economic strength from Independence. It is now a rural community with few residents. However, visitors find Independence enormously interesting given its historic nineteenth century homes, the ruins of old Baylor University, exhibits in the Historical Center and an intriguing cemetery. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenoweth

Baylor College, 1884
Courtesy State Library, Austin Texas

Picture of Independencein the early 1880's as seen from the Baylor University Male Campus. Note: Gen. Jerome B. Robertsons's House in foreground.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Independence Baptist Church organized in 1839. Originally it was an adobe structure that burned down and was replaced in 1872 by this building. Sam Houston was converted in this church and baptised in Rocky Creek just south.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

The four columns ruins of the front facade of the Baylor Female Building, a three-story classroom and chapel structure (1854-86). Structure eventually fell in on itself.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Ruins of the Kitchen of the Baylor College (1851)
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Blanton Hotel (on left) built in 1853. Stage Coach Depot built in 1850's traveling the La Bahia Road. Both restored as private residences.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Built in 1934 from the stones of Baylor Univ.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Located on the site of Dr. Thomas C. Hairston house built in the 1850's. This was Hairston's stone kitchen, restored.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Dr. Thomas C. Hairston's office which was moved to this site from across the road.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

General store Built circa 1900. Owners included Booker, Schulte, and Wasson families.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Gil Martins General Store.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Mrs. Sam Houston's grave. She died in 1867 of yellow fever.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

This thick adobe was built in the 1830's to house Mexican prisoners. It was later used as a residence
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

1850 residence of Mrs. Sam Houston after Houston died in 1863.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Site of seveal school sites. This final one was built in 1939.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

Shannon family store. Served as the Post Office for many years.
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

1850 Wilson House
Courtesy Mike Woodfin

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