
Address: Historical Marker, Centennial marker, Austin St at Waller County Courthouse, Hempstead
Date: 1936
Historic Uses: Historical Marker, Centennial marker
Stylistic Influences: No style
National Register of Historic Places: Recommended Eligible
Previous Designations: National Register Eligible (Indiv.)
Other Historic Designations: 5507016114, 5473008118
Main Content
Waller County
Centennial Marker: 16114
THC Subject Marker: 8118
Created from Austin and Grimes counties, April 28, and organized August 16, 1873, Waller County was named for Edwin Waller (1800-1861), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836; postmaster general, Texas Republic; first mayor of Austin. Also the site of rich 1831-1874, Groce plantations, later home of sculptress Elisabet Ney. The county seat Hempstead was founded in 1857 during the building of the Houston & Texas Railroad, an important transportation center. Since 1876, the county has been the site of Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical College. Economy is based on industry, diversified agricultural and oil production. (Information from THC Subject Marker files)