Our History & Profile
- Barrett's Settlement was founded by a former slave, known as Harrison Barrett (1845-1917).
- Born into slavery, Barrett was the son of Simon and Eliza Barrett who came to Texas from Louisiana. He had three brothers and two sisters.
- Following the emancipation of Texas slaves in 1865, Barrett spent several years gathering his family together. He eventually found all of them except one sister, and they settled on part of the Reuben White League (Survey) east of the San Jacinto River and purchased the land for fifty cents an acre in 1889.
- It became one of the largest land holdings in Harris County to be acquired by a former slave. Barrett named the property Barrett's Settlement.
- The community began with seven houses (families), which Barrett helped to build with lumber from his land. He helped members of his family to set up farms, established a sawmill, gristmill, coffee mill and granted others open access to fish and crayfish in the spring and gully near his homestead.
- Harrison donated land for Shiloh Baptist Church, which also served as a school. In 1947, a high school and a post office branch were built, known as “Barrett Station”.
- Barrett, who died in 1917, was buried in Journey's End Cemetery located at his original homestead.
- The Barrett Station Civic League (BSCL) was established in 1954 and was formed by the residents of the community.
- The population today (2020) exceeds 1400 families and is continually growing.
- BSCL is a 501(c)4 Non-profit, Nonpartisan, Neighborhood Organization that exists to advance Civic Engagement to create an Equitable and Thriving Community that promotes the Social Welfare of its Residents.