Each winter, “the Eberly” is the signature event of the Austin History Center Association. Together, we all share our love of Austin history at an event the Austin American‐Statesman has called “An Austin Tradition.” Proceeds from each year’s luncheon help support the Austin History Center Association, who allocates a portion of the proceeds to the Austin History Center of the Austin Public Library.

Angelina Eberly

Why is the AHCA fundraiser named for Angelina Eberly and why is there a statue of her on Congress Avenue?

Angelina Belle Peyton Eberly, heroine of Texas’ “Archives War,” was an astute Austin innkeeper in the early days of the Republic of Texas. She became directly involved in a political skirmish that had lasting consequences. In December 1842, Sam Houston announced that Austin was no longer the Capital of Texas and that his namesake town, Houston, was. He dispatched the Texas Rangers to Austin with orders to Texas Land Commissioner Thomas William “Peg Leg” Ward to remove the Republic of Texas archives from Austin and move them east. The furtive effort was spotted by Eberly, who lit a town cannon, which alerted citizens of the theft. Local Austinites chased the wagons north into Williamson County, where the rangers were forced at gunpoint to surrender the archives. “The Archives War” reinforced Austin’s standing as the capital of Texas.