THE OLD CAPITOL, Columbia, Texas, September 29, 1888 

* Very rare 19th century Southwest publication

Yes, Columbia--now known as West Columbia--was the first formal capital of Texas, established in 1836. A quite rare title which existed for less than 2 years. Only one institution has a substantial holding of this title and its file is not complete.
The front page has: "MATAGORDA-BRAZORIA" "Lands Dirt On Earth" "Semi-Tropical Climate; Luxuriant Vegetation; And the Place to Secure Homes".
Four pages, 19 1/4 by 12 1/4 inches, small binding holes along the spine, some margin chipping, small hold at the front leaf, & a few minor archival mends. Somewhat fragile so it should be handled carefully.

Note: This issue comes with a free acid-free folder for protection

Background:The Old Capitol was a short-lived weekly newspaper published in Columbia, Texas, in the late 1880s, named to honor the town’s status as the first capital of the Republic of Texas in 1836. Established by Victor Marion Rose, a local editor and former Confederate soldier, the paper ran for less than two years and focused on regional news, local events, agriculture, health, and climate. Its issues often featured promotional language, such as the June 30, 1888 edition highlighting Columbia as having the “Richest Dirt On Earth” and a “Most Delightful Climate--Salubrious and Healthful!” Today, The Old Capitol is a rare historical artifact, with only a few institutions preserving copies. Digitized editions are accessible through the University of North Texas Libraries’ Portal to Texas History, offering researchers and history enthusiasts insight into Columbia’s community life and sentiments in the late 19th century, while the Columbia Historical Museum provides additional context on the newspaper’s significance.