From Camp Bowie to cattle trails: A look back at Brownwood’s history

BROWNWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Did you know that Brownwood sits almost in the exact geographical center of Texas? Nestled in the heart of the Lone Star State, Brownwood is a community rich with history, resilience, and surprising stories.

Founding

Brownwood was incorporated in 1884, named after Texas Revolutionary Soldier Captain Henry S. Brown, who was the first known Texan to cross the area. He was leading a group of men in pursuit of a Comanche raiding party.

A Town on the Move

Brownwood hasn’t always been where it is today. In fact, the town was relocated three different times before finally settling into its current spot. According to the City of Brownwood, the constant threat of Indians disrupted daily life for early settlers.

The first village was established about a mile and a half from today’s courthouse, behind the current Ross Company. The second location was about 300 yards east of where the Santa Fe Railway would later cross the Pecan Bayou, near what is now County Road 2126. Only after these moves did Brownwood find its permanent home.

Population

• 725 in 1880
• 3,965 in 1900
• 13,398 in 1940
• 17,368 in 1970
• 18,813 in 2000
• 19,288 in 2010
• 18,805 in 2023

Lost Records

Brownwood’s history has some gaps. In March 1880, a courthouse fire destroyed many of the town’s earliest records. The courthouse, which housed records on the second floor and the jail on the first, was left in ruins.

The Chisholm Trail Connection

Though the famous Chisholm Trail never officially ran through Brownwood, many cattle drivers detoured through Brown County for its water and grass. At times, herds were even driven down Brownwood’s main street.

Railroad Center

After decades of struggle, Brownwood’s fortunes turned when it became a central trade hub for Texas. The town grew rapidly as the junction for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway and the Frisco Railway.

Camp Bowie

Brownwood also played a vital role in World War II history. Camp Bowie, a massive military training center, operated from 1940 to 1946. During those years, more than 250,000 men trained at the facility, and the site even housed a German prisoner-of-war camp.