Q

QUADE: This family came to Texas in the late 1870s from Germany and settled in Cypress. (See Koch.) 1

QUAIL VALLEY: This large subdivision was the first of this type of mega project in Missouri City. Development began in 1969. 2

QUAKER: Located in Friendswood, a community founded by the Society of Friends in the 1890s, this street is named for members of that religious sect. The term Quaker is derived from an early leader’s admonishment to “tremble at the word of the Lord.” 3

QUEEN VICTORIA: Arguably one of the greatest rulers to grace the English throne, she ruled the British Empire from 1837 to 1901. A very strong-willed woman she stood up against Lord Palmerston and his aggressive foreign policy, despised liberal Prime Minister William Gladstone and adored PM Benjamin Disraeli, one of Britain’s most capable statesmen. 4

QUEEN’S CLUB: This private sporting club in West Kensington, London was founded in 1886. It was the world’s first multipurpose sports complex. It is named for Queen Victoria, its first patron. It hosts the prestigious grass court Queen’s Club Tennis Championships each year. 5

QUENBY: See Southampton’s English Streets, page 255.

QUINN: T. H. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22.

QUINTANA: Named for Mexican General Andres Quintana, it became an important seaport for early Texas. Its strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico earned it bombardment by Union ships during the War Between the States. Up until the war it was the only shipyard west of New Orleans. Quintana was destroyed by the Great Storm of 1900. Rebuilt, it is now a quiet resort and fishing center. 6

QUITMAN: John A. – It is possible that Houston Mayor Andrew Briscoe may have named this north side street in honor of his mentor. General Quitman was a Mississippi attorney who allowed Briscoe to study law in his Jackson office. 7

BRAZORIA COUNTY’S OLD PLANTATION STREETS AND ROADS

Brazoria County is one of the oldest and most historic in Texas. Anglo settlement began here as early as 1820. Stephen F. Austin gave land grants in 1824. Many communities (Velasco, East & West Columbia, Brazoria, Quintana and Liverpool) were thriving by 1832. The rich soil, plentiful water supply and long growing season made the area an ideal location for plantations. These historic plantations are long gone but not forgotten because of the streets and roads named for them. 41

image Bryan – Moses Austin Bryan, a nephew of Stephen F. Austin, owned this cotton plantation. It was near Velasco. Bryan fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. He acted as General Sam Houston’s interpreter when Santa Anna was captured.

image Duranzo – This plantation was the home of W. Joel Bryan, a nephew of Stephen F. Austin. The principal crops here were cotton and sugarcane.

image McCormick – J. M. McCormick owned this cotton plantation. It was located on a beautiful bend in the San Bernard River. McCormick fought in Captain William H. Patton’s Company during the Battle of San Jacinto. The family was active in Texas affairs for many years.

image Patton – William H. Patton came from Mississippi and started this sugar plantation. He was Captain of a company and an aide-de-camp at San Jacinto Battleground. It was his duty to guard General Santa Anna while he was held captive at the Phelps Plantation. Governor James Stephan Hogg bought the place from Patton and told his heirs to hold it 20 years because oil would be discovered here. He was correct and the Hogg family became very wealthy.

image Phelps – This cotton plantation was owned by Dr. J. A. E. Phelps. It is most famous as being the place where General Santa Anna was held captive after the Battle of San Jacinto. The doctor treated Santa Anna well. The General never forgot that and when Phelps son, Orlando, was captured in Mexico after the ill founded Mier Expedition, Santa Anna saved the young man from the firing squad.

image Spencer – A gentleman known as Captain Spencer raised cotton on this plantation that was just outside of Brazoria.

image Waldeck – Morgan L. Smith came to Texas from Massachusetts. Stories say this was one of the finest of the sugar plantations and the first to have a sugar refinery. Prince Waldeck, a cousin of Queen Victoria of England, was visiting Smith and was so impressed with the property he purchased it. Smith returned to Boston and later committed suicide.