Stephen F. Austin Continues Reign as “Top Texan”

Contact Matt Atwood, Press Secretary - Texas General Land Office
matthew.atwood@glo.texas.gov
Today,  Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced Stephen F. Austin claimed the title of the 2021 Top Texan Tournament. Austin’s dominant showing in the spring tournament overwhelmed the competition and paved the way for his second victory in as many years.

“Texans have spoken, and they have once again selected Stephen F. Austin, one of our state’s most important historical figures, as this year’s Top Texan,” said  Commissioner Bush. “I am truly appreciative for the widespread participation in this year’s tournament and look forward to Save Texas History’s continued success in promoting our state’s proud history.” 

The Save Texas History’s Top Texan Tournament began on March 2, 2021, coinciding with Texas Independence Day and Texas History Month. During the past few weeks, thousands of Texans across the state joined online to learn more about the prominent leaders in our state's history and vote on who deserves the title "Top Texan."

Stephen F. Austin dedicated his life to making Texas a successful state. He arrived in 1821, settling the “Old Three Hundred,” and later an additional 900 Anglo families in Texas. He served in three different roles, as a businessman, government official and land agent (empresario). Eventually imprisoned in Mexico City under suspicion of trying to incite insurrection in Texas, Stephen F. Austin was held without charges for almost a year but never brought to trial. He was freed at the end of 1834 and allowed to return to Texas in 1835. 

By 1835, Texas was in all-out defiance of Mexican governance, with Austin publicly supporting the rebellion. He was elected general of the volunteer army at Gonzales and led the Texian efforts during Siege of Bexar (San Antonio). He was also tasked with securing funding and support in the United States for the revolutionary cause. After the war, he served as the first Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas until his death on December 27, 1836.

About Save Texas History 

Created in 2004, the Save Texas History program is a statewide initiative to rally public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of the historic maps and documents housed in the GLO Archives, and serves as a resource for teaching and digitizing Texas history. If you would like to donate to the Save Texas History program to adopt a document or collection, assist with archival acquisitions, develop educational programs, or support digital projects, please visit  SaveTexasHistory.org .

You can follow Save Texas History at  Facebook.com/SaveTXHistory  and Twitter at  Twitter.com/SaveTxHistory