Fort Anahuac
a.k.a. 41 CH 226
TX 564, Anahuac, TXFort Anahuac is now represented by only the foundations of its walls but the archeological deposits in the area are of the greatest significance in that they represent rare evidence of the brief Mexican Republic period of Texas history. Having been built and abandoned in that period the stratigraphic sequence should be easily interpreted. Difficulties encountered in accurately dating artifacts and features in sites of long occupation should not be encountered. The site is of great historic importance as the scene of the first serious agitation and armed conflict of the Texas Revolution.
Fort Anahuac was built by Mexico at the mouth of the Trinity River as a customs house and small fort in 1830 when Texas was still a Mexican state. The fort commanded the trade route to the early colonies of Anglo settlers in the Trinity River valley and was thus of great strategic, economic, and political as well as military importance. It was built by the small contingent of about 160 Mexican soldiers sent to be its garrison which was commanded by the infamous Col. Juan Davis Bradburn. Friction with the local settlers began when Col. Bradburn conscripted labor and materials to build the fort. The fort and nearby town of Anahuac was the scene of early agitation leading up to the Texas Revolution and for a time several prominent Texans including Patrick C. Jack and William B. Travis were imprisoned at the fort.
The fort originally had brick walls more than seven feet thick and had been built from a model given to Col. Bradburn by his superiors in Mexico. The fort armament consisted of two 18 lb. pivot guns. The barracks adjoining the fort had walls about four feet thick. Aside from enforcing customs laws another purpose of the fort was to halt foreign immigration in accordance with a new law passed on April 6, 1830. The local Anglo settlers resented the fort for both of these reasons as well as friction with soldier convicts who made up part of the garrison. The conflict between the settlers and the soldiers ensued.
Fort Anahuac has been called the "Birthplace of the Texas Revolution" and is of great historical importance for the following list of firsts that occurred there:
-Mexican authorities first unjustly jailed American colonists;
- The public first voiced opposition to unjust edicts;
- The first written resolutions of war (the Turtle Bayou Resolutions);
-The first to disregard Mexican martial law and take matters of civil rights into their own hands;
-The Texas navy's first action against Mexican forces;
-The first Texas marine assault on Mexican forces;
-Mexican soldiers first fired on an army of Texas colonists;
-The first Mexican soldier killed in action against Texas troops;
- And the first Texas soldier killed in action against Mexican troops.
Today the site of Fort Anahuac is a county park with historical markers to remind visitors of its historic nature. The county historical commission has plans for the archeological investigation of the fort and hopes subsequently to establish interpretive displays and exhibits.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
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.
In 1824, Thomas Jefferson Chambers, a lawyer and land speculator, was granted a colonization contract for the area, which later became known as Chambers County. He established a settlement called Anahuac, which quickly grew into a thriving port town. However, tensions between American settlers and the Mexican government eventually led to the Anahuac Disturbances in 1832, a series of conflicts over local issues such as trade regulations and land titles.
During the Texas Revolution in 1836, Chambers County played a significant role. The Battle of Anahuac took place in May of that year, with Texian rebels successfully capturing the Mexican garrison and securing control of the region. After Texas gained independence, Chambers County became part of the Republic of Texas in 1836.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Chambers County's economy was heavily dependent on agriculture, with cotton and rice being the primary crops. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 20th century brought a new wave of economic growth to the region. The establishment of several petrochemical plants contributed to the county's industrial development, transforming it into an important hub for the oil and gas industry.
Today, Chambers County continues to evolve and thrive. It is renowned for its natural beauty and offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The county's historical significance, coupled with its economic growth, makes it an attractive place to live and visit in Southeast Texas.
Chambers County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Chambers County, Texas.
- 1830s - Native American tribes such as the Karankawa and Atakapa are present in the area.
- 1822 - The Mexican government establishes the Municipality of Atascosito, which includes present-day Chambers County.
- 1835-1836 - The Texas Revolution takes place, leading to Texas gaining its independence from Mexico.
- 1836 - Chambers County is officially founded and named after Thomas Jefferson Chambers, a landowner and early settler in the area.
- 1840 - The town of Anahuac becomes the county seat of Chambers County.
- 1850s - Rice becomes an important crop in the county, leading to economic growth.
- 1861-1865 - Chambers County residents participate in the American Civil War, with many serving in the Confederate Army.
- 1875 - The Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad is completed, boosting trade and transportation in the county.
- 1900 - The devastating Galveston Hurricane causes significant damage to Chambers County.
- 1901 - The Spindletop oil strike in nearby Beaumont leads to an oil boom in Chambers County.
- 1933 - The completion of the Intracoastal Waterway greatly benefits the county's shipping and trade industries.
- 1943-1945 - During World War II, the county hosts the Chambers County Airport, which serves as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces.
- 1957 - Chambers County becomes home to the Chambers County Nuclear Power Plant, which operates until 1974.
- 2005 - Chambers County is impacted by Hurricane Rita and experiences significant damage.