The growth of the City of College Station, Texas, is analogous in many ways to the growth of other American cities. Yet, College Station has encountered incidents vastly different from the normal urban experiences. The city's inception occurred with the establishment of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, and the location of the A&M College can be attributed in good measure to the work of the citizens of Bryan, Texas. Thus, the history of Texas A&M University and Bryan are inextricably mixed with the history of College Station. The prime purpose of this study is to provide a history of the city of College Station. But, more than a recital of historic records, the intent is to explain how the city developed, what events shaped its character, and what influenced its leaders to govern the city as they did.