Varner-Hogg Plantation
a.k.a. Varner-Hogg State Historical Park
2 mi. NE of West Columbia off SR 2852, West Columbia, TXThe Varner-Hogg Plantation is a rare survivor - an intact homestead dating from Stephen F. Austin's original "Old Three Hundred" colony. Settled first in 1824 by Martin Varner, the property has been the home of other notables, especially Columbus R. Patton, the planter who most likely built the main house, and James Stephen Hogg, the first native Texan to serve as governor. Governor Hogg's children Will and Ima, also occasional residents, led philanthropic and cultural efforts in Texas. Until 1956, the land was under continuous production, ranging from sugar cane and cotton to oil. Now operated by the State as a park, the Varner-Hogg Plantation serves as a showcase for a part of Miss Ima's nineteenth-century furniture collection.
Martin Varner hailed originally from Pennsylvania but had lived in Texas (Jonesborough and Independence) since 1818. In 1824, Varner received a league of land in the Austin colony from the Mexican government; he settled on the property and, according to family tradition, built a two-room cabin on the site of the present house museum. Besides other farm products, Varner grew sugarcane and became the first colonist in Texas to distill rum from molasses. His partner, Israel Water, sent a bottle of his rum to Stephen F. Austin in 1829. Although not enthused with the idea of producing spirits, Austin wished them success with the enterprise. Varner joined Sam Houston's army to fight for Texan independence and later moved to Wood County, Texas, where he died in 1843 or 1844.
In 1834, Varner sold his place to Columbus R. Patton for 13,000 pesos. The large Patton family emigrated to Texas from Kentucky and may have arrived in Texas earlier than 1834. Several of the Patton's including Columbus participated in the Revolution of 1836; William H. Patton was aide-de-camp to Sam Houston and charged with guarding Santa Anna. Patton held the Mexican general on the family plantation for a short time and later accompanied him to Washington. Though William H. Patton later moved to Bexar County, most of the Patton family resided in the home place in Brazoria County. John D. and Columbus R. managed the plantation until John's death in 1840. Columbus took over the place and developed it into a productive sugar plantation. Although as many as 60 slaves lived and worked there, it was not the largest or most productive sugar enterprise in the county but was prosperous and larger than the average. Construction of the plantation house probably occurred during Patton's residence. Other large brick houses of the same type dating from as early as 1832 are known, however, so they may even have been built by Varner.
Patton was committed to a lunatic asylum in 1854, perhaps the result of a brain tumor. A court-appointed administrator maintained the plantation for a number of years. It then changed hands twice, finally becoming part of the holdings of the New York and Texas Land Company.
In 1901, Governor James S. Hogg purchased 4,100 acres of the plantation initially as an investment but soon thought of it as a country home. The scattered family often gathered at "The Varner" for holidays and vacations. Governor Hogg was Texas' first native governor and held office from 1891-95. He was instrumental in establishing the Texas Railroad Commission and necessary prison reforms. Hogg predicted that the property was a probable site for oil comparable to Spindletop, and instructed his children to retain the property for exploration after his death, which occurred in 1906.
The West Columbia Oil Field came in in 1920, creating a boom for the people of nearby West Columbia as well as for the Hogg children. The Hogg's remodeled the house in 1920, incorporating decorative elements from the Governor's Mansion in Austin and their own interpretation of traditional southern plantation architecture. Miss Ima furnished the main house with nineteenth-century antiques in 1956, along with her minor restoration. She then presented the house with 52.67 acres of land to the State of Texas for use as a park. One of Texas' foremost philanthropists, she was noted for her interests in American and Texan antique furnishings, music, and arts education. She died in 1975.
Varner-Hogg State Historical Park is now a popular museum and picnic spot. A wealth of archival material concerning the plantation, its contents, furnishings, management, and occupants has been carefully conserved and made available to the public, adding another dimension to the significance of this site and the general area. Opportunities for an investigation into agricultural and social practices of the day are also available from the ruins still extant both above and below ground level.
Local significance of the building:
Martin Varner hailed originally from Pennsylvania but had lived in Texas (Jonesborough and Independence) since 1818. In 1824, Varner received a league of land in the Austin colony from the Mexican government; he settled on the property and, according to family tradition, built a two-room cabin on the site of the present house museum. Besides other farm products, Varner grew sugarcane and became the first colonist in Texas to distill rum from molasses. His partner, Israel Water, sent a bottle of his rum to Stephen F. Austin in 1829. Although not enthused with the idea of producing spirits, Austin wished them success with the enterprise. Varner joined Sam Houston's army to fight for Texan independence and later moved to Wood County, Texas, where he died in 1843 or 1844.
In 1834, Varner sold his place to Columbus R. Patton for 13,000 pesos. The large Patton family emigrated to Texas from Kentucky and may have arrived in Texas earlier than 1834. Several of the Patton's including Columbus participated in the Revolution of 1836; William H. Patton was aide-de-camp to Sam Houston and charged with guarding Santa Anna. Patton held the Mexican general on the family plantation for a short time and later accompanied him to Washington. Though William H. Patton later moved to Bexar County, most of the Patton family resided in the home place in Brazoria County. John D. and Columbus R. managed the plantation until John's death in 1840. Columbus took over the place and developed it into a productive sugar plantation. Although as many as 60 slaves lived and worked there, it was not the largest or most productive sugar enterprise in the county but was prosperous and larger than the average. Construction of the plantation house probably occurred during Patton's residence. Other large brick houses of the same type dating from as early as 1832 are known, however, so they may even have been built by Varner.
Patton was committed to a lunatic asylum in 1854, perhaps the result of a brain tumor. A court-appointed administrator maintained the plantation for a number of years. It then changed hands twice, finally becoming part of the holdings of the New York and Texas Land Company.
In 1901, Governor James S. Hogg purchased 4,100 acres of the plantation initially as an investment but soon thought of it as a country home. The scattered family often gathered at "The Varner" for holidays and vacations. Governor Hogg was Texas' first native governor and held office from 1891-95. He was instrumental in establishing the Texas Railroad Commission and necessary prison reforms. Hogg predicted that the property was a probable site for oil comparable to Spindletop, and instructed his children to retain the property for exploration after his death, which occurred in 1906.
The West Columbia Oil Field came in in 1920, creating a boom for the people of nearby West Columbia as well as for the Hogg children. The Hogg's remodeled the house in 1920, incorporating decorative elements from the Governor's Mansion in Austin and their own interpretation of traditional southern plantation architecture. Miss Ima furnished the main house with nineteenth-century antiques in 1956, along with her minor restoration. She then presented the house with 52.67 acres of land to the State of Texas for use as a park. One of Texas' foremost philanthropists, she was noted for her interests in American and Texan antique furnishings, music, and arts education. She died in 1975.
Varner-Hogg State Historical Park is now a popular museum and picnic spot. A wealth of archival material concerning the plantation, its contents, furnishings, management, and occupants has been carefully conserved and made available to the public, adding another dimension to the significance of this site and the general area. Opportunities for an investigation into agricultural and social practices of the day are also available from the ruins still extant both above and below ground level.
Commerce; Agriculture; Exploration/settlement; Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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 University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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.