Huntsville, Texas: Final Home of the Most Famous, and Most Infamous, of Texans

Huntsville, Texas is a city of just over thirty thousand about an hour's drive up I-45 from Houston. It's an important center of commerce for the region, a historic town with a rich history, good economy and much to offer visitors. It's also a temporary home to two very different transient populations, college students and state felons.

Named after Huntsville, Alabama, hometown of its founders, Huntsville, Texas started as an Indian trading post established just as Texas became a Republic. The settlement, founded by Pleasant and Ephraim Grey, soon became an important part of Texas' history. Huntsville grew in stature and size as many prominent families from the East moved there. The economy thrived on timber, trade and farming.

Sam Houston's family moved to Huntsville in 1847 while Houston was serving Texas as a Senator. Houston himself would spend little time Huntsville until the 1860's since he was immersed in Texas politics. Houston's family left their Huntsville home when Houston was elected governor of Texas in 1859. When Houston returned to Huntsville in 1862 he took up residence in the "Steamboat House," an unusual house that resembled a steamboat. The house was built as a wedding present in 1858 by a prominent leader and professor, Dr. Rufus W. Bailey for his son. Bailey's son didn't care for the house and never lived in it. Houston rented the building after being removed from the office of governor for refusing to swear allegiance to the Confederacy. Houston's stay in the house was short. He caught pneumonia and died a year after moving in.


The Steamboat House is one of several structures visitors can find at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum complex located on the campus of Sam Houston State University. Other buildings include the cabin Houston's family lived in through the 1850's, Houston's law office, and several other out buildings. The main museum building tells the story of Houston's life, adventures, and achievements. Houston's story is not only a long and exciting one but also a tribute to Texas' spirit. Visitors should get to the museum early so as to have plenty of time to soak everything up.