Underwood, Ammon, House
Main St., East Columbia, TXThe Ammon Underwood house, a significant example of pioneer-anglo architecture in Texas, was the home for nearly fifty years of the prominent businessman, plantation owner, Texas revolutionary soldier, and Texas legislator, Ammon Underwood. The original structure was built in 1835-36 by Thomas Nibbs and enlarged by Underwood in 1838. The house, located in East Columbia, is the oldest existing residence there. Although the house has been moved two times to avoid the encroaching river, it still stands on the original lot.
When the Underwood house was built, the community was known as Bell's Landing for its founder in 1823, Josiah Hughes Bell. At that time it was the head of navigation on the Brazos River, and was the most important shipping point in Stephen F. Austin's first colony, having a considerable volume of import and export trade due to the large sugar and cotton plantations in the area.
In 1835 Thomas Nibbs (1807-1844), a lawyer from Alabama constructed the first building on the site above the Brazos River at Bell's Landing. Nibbs built a simple two-room, one-story hand-hewn log frame structure as his homestead. He lived there until his lack of success as a lawyer caused him to move to Fort Bend County where he started a plantation. Nibbs sold the property to Ammon Underwood on October 15, 1838. Underwood immediately enlarged and improved the buildings constructed by Nibbs.
Ammon Underwood (1810-1887) came to Texas from Boston, arriving at Velasco on April 10, 1834. After working for several businesses in various communities Underwood chose to settle in Columbia where he went into partnership in a mercantile business with John P. Coles and David H. Milburn. For fifty years Underwood continued in the mercantile business in Columbia where his firm owned a large two-story brick building with its own warehouse on the banks of the Brazos. In November 1835, the revolutionary war with Mexico had become acute in Texas and Underwood joined the Texas Army, taking part in the siege of Bexar and the Battle of Old Mill before being appointed head of the post commissary at Columbia. After the war, Underwood was postmaster at Columbia from 1836-1845.
In 1838 Ammon Underwood entered into another business partnership, this time with Mrs. Catherine Carson. Mrs. Carson settled on the Bernard River in 1824 as one of Stephen F. Austin's first three-hundred colonists. Together they financed the enlargement and improvement of the house on the Brazos River which they opened as a much-needed boarding house in the thriving community. Mrs. Carson presided over the establishment until the marriage of her daughter, Rachel, to Ammon Underwood in 1839. The boarding house was discontinued then, and the building became Underwood's residence.
Underwood owned a large plantation in addition to his business holdings, but he continued to live in town. The multi-talented Underwood also represented the Brazoria District in the Nineteenth Texas Legislature in 1884, as well as being the local correspondent for the Galveston News. Ammon Underwood died at East Columbia in 1887 and was survived by his wife and four children who remained in the house.
Local significance of the building:
When the Underwood house was built, the community was known as Bell's Landing for its founder in 1823, Josiah Hughes Bell. At that time it was the head of navigation on the Brazos River, and was the most important shipping point in Stephen F. Austin's first colony, having a considerable volume of import and export trade due to the large sugar and cotton plantations in the area.
In 1835 Thomas Nibbs (1807-1844), a lawyer from Alabama constructed the first building on the site above the Brazos River at Bell's Landing. Nibbs built a simple two-room, one-story hand-hewn log frame structure as his homestead. He lived there until his lack of success as a lawyer caused him to move to Fort Bend County where he started a plantation. Nibbs sold the property to Ammon Underwood on October 15, 1838. Underwood immediately enlarged and improved the buildings constructed by Nibbs.
Ammon Underwood (1810-1887) came to Texas from Boston, arriving at Velasco on April 10, 1834. After working for several businesses in various communities Underwood chose to settle in Columbia where he went into partnership in a mercantile business with John P. Coles and David H. Milburn. For fifty years Underwood continued in the mercantile business in Columbia where his firm owned a large two-story brick building with its own warehouse on the banks of the Brazos. In November 1835, the revolutionary war with Mexico had become acute in Texas and Underwood joined the Texas Army, taking part in the siege of Bexar and the Battle of Old Mill before being appointed head of the post commissary at Columbia. After the war, Underwood was postmaster at Columbia from 1836-1845.
In 1838 Ammon Underwood entered into another business partnership, this time with Mrs. Catherine Carson. Mrs. Carson settled on the Bernard River in 1824 as one of Stephen F. Austin's first three-hundred colonists. Together they financed the enlargement and improvement of the house on the Brazos River which they opened as a much-needed boarding house in the thriving community. Mrs. Carson presided over the establishment until the marriage of her daughter, Rachel, to Ammon Underwood in 1839. The boarding house was discontinued then, and the building became Underwood's residence.
Underwood owned a large plantation in addition to his business holdings, but he continued to live in town. The multi-talented Underwood also represented the Brazoria District in the Nineteenth Texas Legislature in 1884, as well as being the local correspondent for the Galveston News. Ammon Underwood died at East Columbia in 1887 and was survived by his wife and four children who remained in the house.
Commerce; Agriculture; Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
About Brazoria County
Brazoria County Timeline
Brazoria County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Karankawa and the Atakapan, who thrived along the Gulf Coast. European exploration of the region began in the 16th century, with Spanish explorers venturing into the area. However, it was not until the 1820s that significant permanent settlements were established.
In 1822, Stephen F. Austin brought the first American colonists to the region, leading to the establishment of the Austin Colony. The county was officially organized in 1832 and was named after the Brazos River, which borders the county to the north. The economy of Brazoria County in the early years was predominantly agricultural, with cotton becoming a major cash crop and sugar production gaining prominence. Slavery played a significant role in the county’s economy, with many enslaved people working on the plantations.
During the Texas Revolution in the 1830s, the area witnessed several historical events. Significantly, Velasco, a small community in Brazoria County, served as the site of the Battle of Velasco, where Texan rebels clashed with Mexican troops in June 1832. The county also provided numerous soldiers to the Texas Army, with several residents playing important roles in the fight for Texas independence.
In the following years, Brazoria County experienced growth and development, with several towns and communities emerging. In the late 19th century, railways expanded through the county, further boosting its economic prospects. The discovery of oil and gas reserves in the early 20th century brought even greater prosperity to the area. Today, Brazoria County continues to thrive economically, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, petrochemicals, manufacturing, and tourism.
In 1822, Stephen F. Austin brought the first American colonists to the region, leading to the establishment of the Austin Colony. The county was officially organized in 1832 and was named after the Brazos River, which borders the county to the north. The economy of Brazoria County in the early years was predominantly agricultural, with cotton becoming a major cash crop and sugar production gaining prominence. Slavery played a significant role in the county’s economy, with many enslaved people working on the plantations.
During the Texas Revolution in the 1830s, the area witnessed several historical events. Significantly, Velasco, a small community in Brazoria County, served as the site of the Battle of Velasco, where Texan rebels clashed with Mexican troops in June 1832. The county also provided numerous soldiers to the Texas Army, with several residents playing important roles in the fight for Texas independence.
In the following years, Brazoria County experienced growth and development, with several towns and communities emerging. In the late 19th century, railways expanded through the county, further boosting its economic prospects. The discovery of oil and gas reserves in the early 20th century brought even greater prosperity to the area. Today, Brazoria County continues to thrive economically, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, petrochemicals, manufacturing, and tourism.
Brazoria County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Brazoria County, Texas.
- 1822 - Stephen Austin received the first land grant in the area that would become Brazoria County.
- 1832 - Brazoria County was officially established as a municipality of Mexico.
- 1836 - Texas gained independence from Mexico, and Brazoria County became part of the Republic of Texas.
- 1837 - The county seat was moved from Velasco to Brazoria.
- 1839 - The county seat was once again relocated, this time to Columbia.
- 1842 - Brazoria County was split, and part of it became Fort Bend County under the Republic of Texas.
- 1846 - Texas was admitted to the United States, and Brazoria County became a county in the state of Texas.
- 1892 - The county seat was moved from Columbia to Angleton, where it remains today.
- 1943 - Construction of the Dow Chemical Company plant began, making it a major employer and industry in the county.
- 1961 - Brazosport College was established in Brazoria County.
- 2019 - Brazoria County celebrates its rich history and continues to thrive as an important region in Texas.