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"Home of the Lost Pines"
Baron de Bastrop, born Philip
Hendrik Nering Bögel, like so many others, came to Texas
to make a fresh beginning in life. In 1806 he settled in San
Antonio, operating a freighting business and impressing the locals
enough to be appointed an alcalde. He interceded with Governor
Antonio Martinez on behalf of Moses Austin, later becoming a
friend and coworker of Stephen F. Austin. His judicious handling
of Mexican officials smoothed the way for Austin and his colony.
Elected a representative for Texas in the new state of Coahuila
and Texas, he favored the interests of settlers and helped get
a port established at Galveston. Although he had fled Holland
under accusations of embezzlement, Baron de Bastrop died a respected
diplomat and legislator with hardly a penny to his name.
Baron
de Bastrop, lower left, listens to Stephen F. Austin.
Stephen F. Austin named the settlement
on the Colorado River in the lone stand of pines after his good
friend, the baron. |
