Region: Prairies and Lakes
This county seat is situated in the east-central part of Washington County.
It is home to more than 120 historic sites and markers, many from the Texas
Revolution era. The Texas Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed in
this county. It was settled on a part of the league of land granted to a settler
under the colonization laws of Coahuila and Texas. Its predominantly German
population began settling here in the 1860s. Blinn College, Texas' first
county-owned junior college, was founded here in 1883.
Bluebonnets and other wildflowers bloom in profusion here in March and April.
The chamber of commerce provides a free "Bluebonnet Trails" map that outlines
the most scenic route.
Brenham has been named a National Main Street City, and its downtown is the
heart and soul of Washington County. It features a variety of shopping
opportunities. Nearby Fireman's Park features an enclosed antique C.W. Parker
carousel with Herschell-Spillman horses. The area has more than 40
bed-and-breakfast inns.
Brenham lies halfway between Houston and Austin on U.S. 290 and on Texas 36,
which is a segment of the Ports-to-Plains Highway connecting the state's
heartland to coastal ports.