Just minutes away from Gates Ranch – located in beautiful Washington County – lie the historical grounds known to be the birthplace of Texas Independence. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association has recently chosen to re-designate this monumental landscape with the new “Where Texas Became Texas”.

With that, there are a multitude of activities planned for this summer, for families and kids to spend some time in Washington County, including the 15th annual Fireworks on the Brazos July 4th celebration.

Washington-on-the-Brazos is the official site for the signing of Texas’ Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836, making Texas the first and only state ever to start life as its very own country.

After many years of meticulous preservation, the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association has successfully restored four unique attractions in this historic landscape: Independence Hall, Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site, Barrington Living History Farm, and the Star of the Republic Museum.

And all of them will be open throughout the 4th of July weekend celebration. In addition, the park will be hosting concerts every Saturday evening in July, Grape Stomping during the last two weekends in July and the first two weekends in August, and the Lavender & Wine Fest on August 9.

Down the road in Chappell Hill, a 4th of July parade starts at 10:00 am and activities for the whole family follow until 1:30 pm, including pony rides, a petting zoo, and a performance by the Buckaroo Band.

Complete your visit to the “Birthplace of Texas” with a relaxing meal at R Place Restaurant – a favorite eatery of many locals just up the road from the newly restored state park! www.rplacetexas.com/

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located between Brenham and Navasota off State Hwy 105, on FM 1155.  And while you’re in the neighborhood, we invite you to visit Gates Ranch, a 1,500-acre community of exclusive, private ranch estates.  We’ve sold 70% of the farms in phases one and two (560 out of 800 acres), and new properties in phase three are now available, so we encourage you to visit us soon. For more information or to schedule your personal tour of Gates Ranch, please call Cyndee Smith with Oldham Goodwin Group at 713-816-3407 or visit www.gatesranchtx.com.