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| Landmark #2531 | Cameron County | Visited: September 2, 2018 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The home of Brownsville founder, Charles Stillman! |
| What makes it historical? | THE PLAQUE SAYS: Built in 1850 in Greek Revival style by Henry Miller, who operated the nearby Miller Hotel, for Brownsville founder, Charles Stillman, and his new bride, Elizabeth. They occupied the house until 1853, and their first two children were born here. In 1858 Miller sold the house to prominent local merchant, Manuel Treviño de los Santos Coy, who hosted Gen. Porfirio Diaz in 1876 as Diaz planned his eventually successful revolution to assume the presidency of Mexico. The Treviño home served as the Mexican consulate during the Diaz era. It also served for a time as the home of Thomas Carson, long-time Brownsville mayor and Cameron County judge. The house remained with the Treviño family until purchased in 1958 by Chauncey D. Stillman, great grandson of Charles, who restored the structure and donated it to the city as a museum.
OTHER TIDBITS: Born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, Charles Stillman moved to Mexico at the age of 18 and built up many companies that dealt in cotton, silver, and methods of shipping them! With his partner, José Morell, Mr. Stillman set up one of the first textile factories in Monterrey! After Mexico lost the Mexican-American War in 1848, Mr. Stillman (illegally) purchased lots of land just north of the river and set up the town of Brownsville. Not one to sit out of conflict, the Stillman shipping company both shipped supplies to American troops during this war and later traded Confederate cotton for Mexican gold during the Civil War! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| How do I find it? | Listed Directions: 1305 E. Washington Street Brownsville, TX 78520 Annotations: From Austin: ~351mi (565km) — 5.9hrs |
| When should I go? | The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM! |