Surrounded by cotton-producing plantations, Independence had become the wealthiest community in Texas and a Baptist stronghold when selected to be the site of Baylor University in 1845. Reaching its peak during the 1850s, the town was recognized as an educational, economic, and religious center.
The Civil War, the by-pass of the railroad, and Baylor’s relocation in 1886 altered the Independence economy. The surrounding farmland, however, remained productive, often under the tillage of European immigrants, especially German families, who came in the late 19th century. African Americans, many of whom were former slaves from Washington County, also acquired and farmed the land.
Today, Independence remains a diverse community, its landscape dotted with many reminders of its rich and varied history. These sites and symbols, combined with the extraordinary natural beauty of the area—rolling hills, open vistas, and ageless trees—contribute to the past and present story of Independence.
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Sam Houston was Independence's most famous resident and convert, he and his family living here in the 1850s and his widow returning in 1863. |
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