AUSTINCOUNTYLIVING.com City of Bellville, Texas (979) 885-1638

BELLVILLE (Population 3,794)

Mayor Philip B. Harrison

(Pictured Above: Water tower in Bellville, Texas.)

According to the Bellville Chamber of Commerce (www.bellville.com) "Just because we have beautiful wildflowers, rolling hills, and a picturesque country town, doesn't mean we're not interested in economic growth. We continue to bloom behind our small town image. We welcome and actively pursue economic growth. Whether it is an industrial or retail location you're looking for, a country home or that long awaited retirement place, we have the team you'll need to help you with that important decision. Come for a day, a week or a lifetime."

Be sure to visit the Cumings Crypt Park… “Members of the Cumings family arrived with other Austin Colonists in 1822. In 1824 James Cumings received a 5-league land grant, or “hacienda” (22,000 Acres), in exchange for building a gristmill and sawmill on Mill Creek to serve the colony. The crypt which sits on the northwest corner of the Cumings Hacienda, was built in 1887 by the widow and children of Samuel Cumings, who was born in the colony in 1827. Fifteen family members are entombed there. The park surrounding the crypt was a project of the Bellville Historical Society.” –Austin’s First Colony, prepared by the Texas Independence Trail. For more information contact (979) 865-3407..

Be sure to visit the Old County Jail Museum… “This jail was built in 1896 and operated as the County detention center until 1982. A St. Louis firm designed the three-story structure & gallows. Bricks for the building came from the local John Colleton kiln. The jailer’s living quarter and Sheriff’s Office were located on the ground floor with cells on the upper floors. The home section of the building was first used in 1921. In 1924 it was remodeled with the cells on the second floor above the living quarters converted into bedrooms and a staircase added for accessibility. A small exterior brick building (boiler room) was also at this time to provide steam heating for the prisoners. In 1976 the building received the Historical Commissions Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. After a new jail was built, this facility was restored to its original state and is open with tours and periodic exhibits in the living quarters.”–Austin’s First Colony, prepared by the Texas Independence Trail. For more information contact (979) 865-3407.

City of Bellville

Mayor Monte Richardson

30 S. Holland

Bellville, Texas 77418

(979) 865-3136 Telephone

(979) 865-9485 Facsimile

www.cityofbellville.com

City of Bellville Chamber of Commerce

Carolyn Gibson, Executive Director

P.O. Box 670

Bellville, TX 77418

(979) 865-3407 Telephone

(979) 865-9760 Facsimile

www.bellville.com

bellvillechamber@sbcglobal.net