Gulf Prairie Cemetery

Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas, was originally buried at this pioneer cemetery in Jones Creek. The cemetery was part of the Peach Point Plantation, which he considered to be his only home in Texas. His crypt remains alongside his beloved sister. This self-guided site is located at 231 Gulf Prairie Drive, Jones Creek, 77541. 979-233-2464

Fort Velasco Replica

Surfside Beach is the home of the Fort Velasco Replica. Stephen F. Austin and his colonists first arrived here in Texas in 1821. Eleven years later, in 1832, the first battle of Texas’ war for independence was fought between the colonists and the Mexican Army at Fort Velasco. The actual fort was destroyed by the Hurricane of 1900. Located on the corner of Monument and Parkview in Surfside Beach near City Hall.

Stephen F. Austin Statue County Park

This iconic 76-foot tall statue of Stephen F. Austin, was designed by famed Texas sculptor David Adickes. The complex includes a visitor and information center, picnic areas, and a Texas-shaped pond in the back of the property where catch-and-release fishing is permitted. Open Wednesday – Saturday. Located at 41885 SH 288, Angleton, 77515. 979-849-5965. www.brazoriacountytx.gov/departments/parks-department.

Brazoria County Historical Museum

The museum is housed in the 1897 Brazoria County Courthouse located in Angleton. The Austin Colony Exhibit traces the history of Texas as a colony, including the early Spanish exploration of the Area and the events surrounding the war for independence with Mexico. It is the only fully definitive exhibit on Colonial Texas (1821-1836). The museum is also a repository for information on Brazoria County, related historical subjects and extensive genealogical and photographic holdings. Closed Sundays. 100 East Cedar, Angleton, 77515. 979-864-1208 www.bchm.org

Replica of the First Capitol

Columbia (now West Columbia) was the capital of Texas on October 22nd, 1836. On that day, Sam Houston, the first president of the Texas Republic, gave his inaugural address on the steps of the original Capitol. This site is now home to a replica of the original Capitol building and a park with a path connecting a series of monuments that commemorate the history of this area. 200 N. 14th St., West Columbia, 77486. 979-345-3123 www.westcolumbiatx.org.

The post Where Texas Began appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

Abner Jackson Plantation Site
This historic archeological site is where the plantation of Major Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson, was located. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Tours highlight the early sugar making process, how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870’s, and the destruction of the hurricane of 1900. Located at FM 2004 near Hwy 332, Lake Jackson, 77566. 979-297-1570. www.ljhistory.org Tours by appointment only. Managed by the Lake Jackson Historical Museum.

Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site
Significant to the antebellum period of Texas history and the tumultuous era of Reconstruction, this site hosted a sizable plantation operation and two-story Greek Revival-style house. The site highlights the multiple perspectives and evolving relationships of those who lived and worked on the land during the 19th century. Today, the Levi Jordan Plantation provides a unique opportunity to understand the evolving agricultural history of the South and the early African American experience in Texas. Located at 7234 FM 521, Brazoria, 77422. 979-345-4656. www.visitlevijordanplantation.com. By appointment only. Managed by the Texas Historical Commission.

Varner Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
This majestic antebellum home tells the story of its three owners: Austin colonist Martin Varner, sugarcane mogul Columbus Patton and Texas Gov. James S. Hogg. This property hosted sugar cane production, rum distilling and oil drilling as it transitioned through families. Located at 1702 N. 13th St., West Columbia, 77486. 979-345-4656 Closed Mondays. www.visitvarnerhoggplantation.com Managed by the Texas Historical Commission.

The post Plantation Sites Tour – Brazoria appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

Fins
Sea Center Texas is home to a 50,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico aquarium filled with red drum, snapper, and other fish including sharks. It is also the largest redfish hatchery in the world and can produce up to 20 million juvenile fish each year for release into Texas coastal waters. Be sure to visit the 20-foot touch pool to handle marine animals. Other exhibits include replicas of Texas state record saltwater fish and an outdoor wetland exhibits with a boardwalk. Closed Mondays. Hatchery tours must be scheduled in advance. No admission fees.
302 Medical Drive, Lake Jackson 77566
www.tpwd.texas.gov/seacenter 979-292-0100

Feathers
The combination of location, relatively mild climate, and diverse habitat make the Brazosport Area home and haven to more than 300 bird species. The San Bernard and Brazoria National Wildlife Refuges, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, and the Quintana Bird Sanctuary have trails, boardwalks and the facilities that make spotting birds easier for groups. Both refuges and the Quintana Bird Sanctuary are open sunrise to sunset everyday and are free to the public. The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory is open Monday – Friday. Information about the refuges can be found at
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, 6801 County Rd 306, Brazoria 77422
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, 2022 County Road 227, Freeport 77541
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 Highway 332, Lake Jackson 77566
Quintana Bird Sanctuary, 814 Lamar, Quintana 77541
www.fws.gov/refuge/brazoria or 979-964-4011. Information about the sanctuaries can be found at www.gcbo.org or 979-480-0999

The post Fossils, Fins & Feathers – Brazoria appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The East Columbia Historic District is a small district comprised mostly of 19th century domestic buildings erected when the community of East Columbia was one of the most important inland ports in Texas. The district includes the oldest surviving neighborhood in East Columbia, a community dating to the earliest years of exploration and settlement by Anglo- and African-American colonists in Texas.

East Columbia’s subsequent rise to prominence stemmed from its strategic location on the Brazos River, which served as a major conduit for the shipping of goods to and from surrounding settlers. The river port became a vital component in the plantation-based economy that developed along the Brazos River during the 19th century. As it includes houses of merchants, plantation owners, and those involved in steamboat operations, the district is being submitted in conjunction with the Historic Context “Transportation and Settlement along the Brazos River.”

The district is nominated to the National Register under Criteria A and C as one of the few tangible links to the commercial development of the steamboat trade in the region and because the houses are noteworthy illustrations of 19th-century domestic architecture. It includes one property previously listed in the National Register (the Ammon Underwood House; NR 1976). East Columbia’s beginnings can be traced to the founding of Stephen F. Austin’s original colonization effort, commonly referred to as the “Old 300” because he agreed to introduce 300 families within a 200,000-acre land grant in Texas.

Initial settlement patterns tended to fan out from major waterways such as the Brazos River. These pioneers realized the importance of rivers for transportation purposes as well as their potential role in the economic development of the colony. With that purpose in mind, Josiah H. Bell established a site for the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo on the Brazos River in 1824. Called Bell’s Landing by the early colonists, it served as a nucleus for a town that Bell named Marion and is now known as East Columbia. The inland port played a significant role in the development of the frontier interior of Austin’s colony in a number of commercial ways: as a transportation and debarkation center for new settlers arriving in the colony; as a distribution center for their much-needed supplies; and as a loading station for the shipments of sugar, com and cotton crops cultivated after plantations were established throughout the county.

For more information about visiting and other historical sites in the area please visit: Columbia Historical Museum

The post East Columbia – Historic District appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The post Hampton Inn and Suites appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The post Best Western Plus appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The Ocean Village Hotel is beachfront, and pet friendly. It has quite a few different room configurations to choose from. Rooms include flat-screen TV’s, microwave, and mini-refrigerators. Most of the rooms offer spacious private balconies. Room types include: king rooms, double queen rooms, honeymoon suites & kitchenettes. Accessible Rooms are available. Ocean Village Hotel is on the same property as Seahorse Bar and Grill.

The post Ocean Village Hotel appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

San Luis Pass County Park
Here you have a great view of San Luis Pass and the sand flats are often littered with small flocks of gulls and terns. Northern Gannets often venture into swift waters of San Luis Pass to fish. Scope the nearshore waters in summer and fall for Magnificent Frigate birds. Please stay clear of the dunes as they represent a fragile ecosystem (and home to many rattlesnakes).
This is a 15-acre bay park with both day-use amenities and overnight facilities. San Luis Pass County Park features paved full-service RV spots, cabins, a climate-controlled meeting room with kitchenette, interpretive center, pavilion, restrooms, a playground, fish cleaning stations, paved parking, and a boat launch.
Natural attractions include bay fishing from the park, boating, bird watching, nature viewing, and beach combing in addition to shelling on nearby beaches.
14001 County Road 257, Freeport, TX 77541. Day-use Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. – dusk. An entrance fee may be required.

Christmas Bay
Spot Great Blue Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Royal Terns and other shorebirds in this bay. Rafts of Redheads often crowd Christmas Bay in winter, and Wilson’s Plovers and Horned Larks nest in the dunes along the shore. This is a good spot to scope for winter ducks in the bay and Marbled Godwit flocks on the reefs.
Christmas Bay has extensive oyster reefs and salt marsh ideal for fishing, bird watching or enjoying nature. It is very shallow and great for kayaks; most paddlers can comfortably stand in its waters in most areas. If you wade fish wear ray-proof wading boots or shuffle your feet to avoid a stingray strike. The trail length is 19.1 miles and there is a 3.8-mile route and a 10.3-mile route. Launch sites are along Bluewater Highway between Surfside Beach and San Luis Pass on County Roads 257J, 257S, and at San Luis Pass County Park.

Surfside Beach
You can drive the beach from any of the public access roads off of Bluewater Highway but an annual beach pass is required when you get to Surfside Beach. Gulls, terns, and shorebirds congregate in this area and Red Knots are often seen along this beach in migration. The near-shore waters are regularly jammed with Brown Pelicans diving amongst the schools of menhaden, and rafts of sea ducks may drift close enough to the shore to allow a close inspection. In winter, Northern Gannets can sometimes be seen fishing offshore from the beach.

Surfside Bird and Butterfly Trail
This is a great place to spot butterflies, herons, pelicans, egrets, terns and more. The Surfside Bird & Butterfly Trail is 2.5 miles surrounded by native plants and woodland and bordered by the Freeport Harbor. Entrance is located at the corner of Parkview and Monument Drive near Surfside Beach City Hall.

Surfside Jetty County Park
The Surfside Jetty is an easy place to go birding or saltwater fishing. It is more than half a mile long with a flat surface walkway about five feet above the water. It is the Freeport Harbor’s east jetty and extends approximately 6/10 of a mile into the Gulf of Mexico.
Scoters and mergansers may drift into these relatively calm waters around the jetty to feed. See flocks of gulls feed behind the shrimp boats in the harbor and check the rocks for rare shorebirds. A Purple Sandpiper sighting is always possible in winter.
The park has a paved parking area with easy access to the beach, harbor channel and jetty, a playground, and restroom facilities. It is located at 101 Parkview Road in Surfside.

For more information contact Brazosport Convention & Visitors Council
(979) 285-2501
www.visitbrazosport.com

The post Bluewater Highway Birding Trail appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The post Beach Front Properties appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The post Beach Resort Services appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

The post Seahorse Bar & Grill appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.

Closes from 2 – 5 p.m. everyday.

402 Bluewater Hwy, Freeport, TX 77541

The post Red Snapper Inn appeared first on Explore Lone Star Coastal.