The oldest house in Washington County is that of John P. Coles who first settled in the area in 1824, at which time he built his home which still, stands. To celebrate the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the people of Coles Settlement in 1836 changed the name of the town to Independence in honor of the event. Independence is remembered for several reasons. Its most famous citizen is Sam Houston who lived there from 1853 to 1858. Another reason is Independence is the birthplace of Baylor University. Its first year of operation was in 1846, beginning upper-level studies the following year. The reason Baylor is no longer in Independence is the same reason for the general economic decline of the town. Railroad tracks were laid in every direction but none passed through the town. Other towns grew up along the railroad sapping the economic strength from Independence. It is now a rural community with few residents. However, visitors find Independence enormously interesting given its historic nineteenth century homes, the ruins of old Baylor University, exhibits in the Historical Center and an intriguing cemetery.