Cole’s Settlement and Independence

John P. Coles, was one of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred.

He reached the Brazos River in the spring of 1822.  His cedar log cabin became the center of a community known as Coles' Settlement where he maintained a public house.  Coles' Settlement eventually became known as Independence.

The town once had an enviable head start over other towns of its era and held enormous promise of being one of Texas' cultural centers.  It managed to become the wealthiest spot during the days of the Republic. Sam Houston lived in Independence after serving as Senator from Texas in the United States. Margaret Lea Houston - Sam's third wife is buried in Independence.