The Archive War
historical marker
The Archive War, located in Austin, Travis County, Texas, marks a significant event for the Republic of Texas. This historical marker was erected in 1978 by the Texas Historical Commission. The dispute occurred between December 30 and 31, 1842. It centered on President Sam Houston's attempt to move the national archives from Austin. Houston sought to re-establish Houston as the capital, citing concerns about Austin's safety due to Mexican invasions and Comanche raids. Austin had become the capital under President Mirabeau B. Lamar in 1839. Citizens of Austin resisted the move, fearing it would diminish their city's status. On December 30, 1842, President Houston secretly ordered Colonel Thomas I. Smith and Captain Eli Chandler to remove the archives. As the men loaded wagons, Austin innkeeper Angelina Eberly fired a cannon to alert the town. A group of armed Austin citizens pursued the wagons. The next morning, at Brushy Creek, the Austinites, also with a cannon, confronted Houston's men. To avoid bloodshed, the archives were surrendered and returned to Austin. This event ensured the archives remained in Austin, playing a major part in why Austin is the capital of Texas today.