Famous Texans

Texas has a very proud past that is rich with history and courageous citizens whose service and dedication to our great state will be remembered for generations. Let’s take a look at some of these famous Texans.

Stephen F. Austin Stephen F. Austin was born in Virginia and raised in Missouri. His father, Moses Austin, received a grant of land from the Mexican government to bring citizens of the United States to settle in Texas. Moses Austin died after a trip from Texas. The job of taking people to Texas fell on Stephen F. Austin’s shoulders. In 1825, Austin brought the first 300 families to Texas. They are known in Texas history as the “Old Three Hundred”. Austin was able to get more land grants from the Mexican government to bring 750 more families to Texas between Because of his dedication and love for this great state, he is known as the “Father of Texas”. Many places in Texas are named after Stephen F. Austin. School, universities, streets and even the state capital bears his name.

Sam Houston Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas Sam Houston came to Texas in 1832 to live. In 1835, Houston became the commanding general of the Texas Army in the fight for independence from Mexico. At the Battle of San Jacinto, the Mexican army was defeated and their general, Santa Anna, was captured. Sam Houston had secured the independence of Texas! Sam Houston became the first president of the new Republic of Texas in He was elected as president again in 1841 and played a large roll in Texas becoming the 28 th state of the United States in 1845.

David “Davy” Crockett Davy Crockett was a frontiersman from Tennessee who bravely fought at the Battle of the Alamo. The ‘coon’ skin cap that Davy Crockett wore to Texas is a very recognizable symbol. Crockett, Texas in east Texas is named after him.

Susana Dickenson Unfortunately, Mrs. Dickenson has a name in history for a very sad reason. She and her baby girl, Angelina, were the only survivors of the Battle of the Alamo. All of the Texas soldiers were killed but Mrs. Dickenson was allowed to live so that she could give a message to General Sam Houston from General Santa Anna.

John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen Two brothers, J.K. and A.C. Allen, founded Houston on August 30, 1836 just a few months after the end of the Texas War for Independence. They named the new settlement for the hero of that war, General Sam Houston. Houston was the capital of Texas from Allen's Landing, where Houston began. Photos was taken from a kayak on Buffalo Bayou.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson, also known as “LBJ”, was the 36 th president of the United States. The U.S. space program grew during his administration. When 3 astronauts successfully orbited the Earth in 1968, LBJ congratulated them saying, "You've taken … all of us, all over the world, into a new era…“ The following year, the first man walked on the moon. The Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas is named for him.

“Lady Bird” Johnson is President Johnson’s wife. She devoted much of her adult life to the beautification of the environment. The Highway Beautification Act of 1965 called for states to reduce the number of billboards on the highways and grow native wildflowers. When we see the beautiful bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and pink primroses along Texas highways in the Spring, we need to thank Lady Bird Johnson for her love of beauty. Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson

Rick Perry is the current governor of Texas. He works in the State Capital building in Austin, TX This is the Governor's Mansion where Mr. Perry and his wife usually live. It was destroyed by fire in June 2008

George H. W. and Barbara Bush George H. W. Bush was the 41 st President of the United States. During his presidency, the Cold War ended with Russia and the Berlin Wall dividing West and East Germany was removed. His wife, Barbara Bush, has worked very hard to combat literacy in this country. She has raised a lot of money and worked with numerous organizations to help people learn how to read and write. The local branch of the Harris County Library on Cypresswood is named after her. President Bush and his wife live in Houston, Texas.

George W. Bush President Bush was the 43 rd President of the United States. He and his wife, First Lady Laura Bush, live in Dallas and Crawford Texas

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