Buildings that once
faced the Square

The two-story Independence Hotel, commonly known as "Hood’s Hotel," was located on the southwest side of the Square on the primary road through Independence. When A.W. Hood purchased the property for $1500 in 1848, the deed discloses that Hood’s purchase included a "Tavern stand and stables."

The Independence Post Office was in service from 1843 through January 1958. Like many rural post offices, it operated out of the homes or businesses of postmasters like Thomas H. Shannon shown (circa 1925) standing on the porch of his store that fronted the west side of the Square.

Independence was founded on December 2, 1835, by four land speculators who shared interest "in a certain parcel of ground…to be named Independence." The original town boundaries of Independence consisted of 78 acres, laid out in a grid pattern of 60 regularly-shaped blocks plus four blocks in the center of town that formed the Town Square. Future development of the Square was determined in early 1844 when Independence lost to Brenham by one vote in the bid for the Washington County seat.

One year later, Independence–considered the wealthiest community in Texas–was chosen as the location for Baylor University. By the 1850s, Independence was at its peak as an educational and religious center surrounded by highly productive cotton plantations. Townspeople, Baylor students, and area planters and farmers supported local businesses, most of which overlooked the Square.

The Civil War, poor roads, the lack of a railroad and other reliable transportation took their toll on the community. Even more disastrous to Independence than a fire in 1873 and a tornado in 1882, was the relocation of both Baylor campuses in 1886. The final setback came when the September 1900 hurricane swept through southeast Texas and caused heavy damage in the area.