William Joel Bryan

Bryan's plans ran well beyond his plantation. With George L. Hammeken he promoted the Brazos and Galveston Railroad and developed a townsite called Austinia near present Texas City. The town that bears his name came by another road. In 1865 he granted a railroad right-of-way across his land in Brazos County, and the townsite that grew there took his name. He helped finance it and set up its bank. He and Lavinia had seven children, and four later served in the Confederate Army.

What the plaque says

William Joel Bryan (December 14, 1815 - March 3, 1903) Grandson of Moses Austin, whose dream of Anglo-American colony changed course of Texas history. Came to Texas with his mother and stepfather in 1831; served in Texas army from 1835 to 1838. A highly successful planter, he was instrumental in building of deepwater port at mouth of the Brazos. Town of Bryan, Texas, is named for him. He married Lavinia Perry. Lived at "Durazno" Plantation-- a gift of his uncle, Stephen F. Austin. Had 7 children. Recorded - 1970

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site — 11 mi
  A sugar and cotton plantation on the San Bernard River whose enslaved builders and their descendants left one of the best-preserved African American archeological sites in Texas.
• Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge — 12 mi
  Coastal prairie, salt marsh and bays between Freeport and Christmas Bay, where an auto tour along Big Slough passes wintering geese, ducks and wading birds in the tens of thousands.
• Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site — 16 mi
  A Brazos sugar plantation built by enslaved people for the Patton family, later leased convict labor and Hogg family oil, now told through Rachel Patton and Sarah Ford.

More markers nearby

• Major James Peckham Caldwell — steps away
• Henry William Munson — steps away
• Emily Margaret Brown Austin Bryan Perry — steps away
• James Franklin Perry — steps away