How Many Capitals Has Texas Had? Hold My Stetson, This Is a Long Story
Texas. The land of wide-open spaces, big steaks, and apparently, an inability to commit to just one capital city. Buckle up, y'all, because this state's got a history of musical chairs that would make even a kindergarten class dizzy.
From Royal Roots to Renegade Republic: A Capital Cavalcade
Texas wasn't always the lone star state. Back in the day, it was under the rule of various countries, each with their own ideas of where the boss chair should be. We're talking Spain, France, and Mexico, folks – a real melting pot of colonialism.
- Spain liked to keep things close to the vest, with capital cities in Valladolid (pre-1551) and way back in Madrid.
- France, ever the romantics, had their capital across the pond in Paris. Fancy, fancy.
- Mexico opted for a more central location, plunking their capital down in Mexico City. Makes sense, gotta keep an eye on all those restless territories.
But then, in 1836, things got interesting. Texas threw off the Mexican yoke and declared itself the Republic of Texas. Now, you might think they'd finally settle down and pick a permanent capital. But nope! These were independent Texans, and commitment just wasn't their strong suit.
The Republic's Restless Rumpus: A Capital City Carousel
The Republic of Texas was like a tumbleweed in a dust storm – constantly on the move. Here's a whistle-stop tour of their capital city carousel:
- San Felipe de Austin: The OG capital, chosen by Stephen F. Austin himself in 1824. Nice try, Stephen F., but not meant to be.
- Washington-on-the-Brazos: Briefly held the title in 1836, but the name was just a tad too prophetic. War and all that.
- Harrisburg, Velasco, Columbia: These three towns all took turns wearing the capital crown in 1836, like a game of hot potato with Mexican invasions.
- Houston: Finally, a city that stuck around for a bit longer (1837-1839). Maybe it was the booming business or the delicious barbecue.
But wait, there's more! Texas eventually joined the United States in 1845, making Austin the official capital (again, we'll get to that). However, during the Civil War, Texas seceded and briefly hitched its wagon to the Confederate States of America, with capitals in Montgomery, Alabama and Richmond, Virginia. Talk about a long-distance relationship!
So, How Many Capitals Does That Make? Let's Do the Math (Texas Style)
Alright, since you've been such a good sport following Texas's capital capers, here's the grand total:
- Pre-Republic: Spain (2), France (1), Mexico (1) = 4
- Republic of Texas: 7 (including those brief stints)
- Confederacy: 2 (because why not?)
Grand total: Drumroll please... 14! That's right, Texas has had more capital cities than some European countries have had hot meals.
So there you have it, folks. The next time you're in Texas, take a moment to appreciate the rich tapestry of their capital city history. You might just be standing on the spot where a president once sweated through his Stetson during a particularly heated debate.
