CHAMBERS COUNTY, TEXAS
“CRADLE OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE”
MONT BELVIEU, WALLISVILLE, ANAHUAC, WINNIE
Chambers County is located between Houston and Beaumont on Interstate 10, and borders beautiful Galveston/Trinity Bay. The area is known for its Historic influence in the Battle for Texas Independence ,1832-1836, and for its natural beauty, fishing and wildlife.
Begin your tour entering Chambers County on IH-10 at Mont Belvieu. Take the exit on Highway 3180 North. Several miles up the road, in the Mont Belvieu City Hall Complex, your visit would not be complete without visiting the Mont Belvieu Museum. Many historical objects are displayed including memorabilia of the early Oil Field that was instrumental in the development of Mont Belvieu.
Continuing eastward on IH-10, about five miles , you will cross Old & Lost Rivers and the Historic Trinity River. Crossing the river will put you in the center of a once bustling Wallisville. Not many buildings remain except the Post Office,a church, a few homes and the “must see” Wallisville Heritage Park Museum. State Historical Markers dot the site, describing early Spanish missions that were once nearby, plus restored buildings of the past.
Continue several miles on east on IH-10 to exit Highway 563. Take a right six miles to the Historic town of Anahuac. Here, in 1830, the Mexican Government built a fort to protect Mexico’s interest, and to give protection to colonists settling here, in this broad untamed Mexican country. Nearby, at Turtle Bayou, the famed Turtle Bayou Resolutions were penned, and presented to Mexico’s ruler, Santa Anna. The documents fanned the flames leading to the Battle for Texas Independence .Men such as William B. Travis, who later died a hero at the Alamo, lived in Anahuac. Also, “Three legged´ Willie, Patrick C. Jack and other famous figures were here. Walk the same ground these heroes walked at the site of old Fort Anahuac located in Fort Anahuac Park. Only foundations remain today but this site played a very important role in Texas history.
While in Anahuac, be sure to tour the Thomas Jefferson Chambers Home “Chambersia”. Built by General Chambers in 1845.
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Next door to the Chambers home is the 1890’s office of Dr. Nicholas Schilling. This is a really unique one-of-a-kind must see museum.
Also located in Anahuac is the Upper Texas Gulf Coast Water-Borne Education Center. Boat tours of the famous Trinity River are available by reservations.
Leaving Anahuac, back to IH-10, continue east 18 miles to Winnie. Exit Highway 124 south one mile to the F.J.Leonards Agricultural Museum . Items of early day rice farming are displayed, including a restored 1943 Boeing Stearman “crop duster” bi-plane Next door to the museum, is the restored 1905 Santa Fe Railroad Depot for your tour enjoyment.
Chambers County towns are blessed with many fine motel accommodations, fine Restaurants for your dining pleasure, modern RV Camping sites, excellent boat launching facilities, wildlife trails and Wildlife Refuges.
Chambers County offers Visitors a broad range of choices to fit your interests. Come visit, and feel feel the warm hospitality the county and its residents have to offer. You’ll be glad you came.
HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON !
For more information, contact: The Chambers County Historical Commission, PO Box 206, Anahuac, Tx 77514 or Ph: (409)267-6599 or: oldduster@aol.com
West Chambers County Chamber Anahuac Chamber
10616 Eagle Drive 610 Miller St. P O Drawer R
Mont Belvieu, Tx Anahuac, Texas 77514
Ph (281)576-5440 Ph (409) 267-4190
www.anahuacchamber.com
Winnie Chamber of Commerce
327 LeBlanc St.
PO Box 1715
Winnie, Tx 77665
Ph (409) 296-2231
Fax: 409-296-4213
www.winnie@winnietexas.com