Co-founder of Houston

Gravesite of
John Kirby Allen (1810-1838)
Co-founder of Houston
Houston in 1836 was a humid swamp overgrown with sweet gum trees and coffee bean weeds. In this spot, however, two brothers from New York recognized the future "commercial emporium of Texas."

John Kirby Allen was born and lived in New York until moving to Texas in 1832 with his older brother Augustus Chapman Allen, a professor of mathematics.

A natural leader with a magnetic personality, J.K. Allen was an astute businessman as well. He and his brother soon saw that the area around Buffalo Bayou could readily become a major seaport. Immediately after the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836), J.K. Allen carefully chose the site of future Huston.

On August 24 and 26, the brothers paid $9,428 for 6,642 acres of land originally granted by Mexico to John Austin, a pioneer colonist. Fittingly, they named the town for Sam Houston, leader of the Texas Army.

In glowing words, the brothers advertised their infant town all over the United States; and J.K. Allen, who was soon elected representative to the Texas Congress, worked unceasingly to make Houston the capital of Texas, as it became—1837 to 1839.

At 28, J.K. Allen died of congestive fever, but the town he founded has since become Texas' largest city.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Houston, TX  |  Harris County  |  77019  |  Texas  |  United States of America

Augustus Chapman Allen
Amos B. Edson
Major Isaac N. Moreland
Mrs. Rebecca Lamar
David Porter Richardson
William Gammell
Archibald S. Lewis
James Collinsworth
John Austin Wharton
John R. Reid

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.