Elisha M. Pease
This story is part of a #30DayWritingChallenge chronicling the historical figures of Austin. Read this for more context.
Just north of downtown Austin, there’s a lovely green area along Shoal Creek called Pease Park. Pease Park is the home of a classic annual keep-Austin-weird event called Eeyore’s birthday party. Hundreds (maybe thousands — I’m terrible at estimating crowds) of Austinites gather to celebrate everyone’s favorite depressed donkey, while also getting stoned and naked.
Eeyore’s birthday party started in 1963, 80 years after the death of the man for whom Pease Park was named.
Elisha M. Pease was born in Connecticut in 1812. He moved to Mexican Texas in 1835 and became active in the movement for independence.
Pease co-wrote the Texas constitution and, following the revolution and independence, became the comptroller of the new (and short-lived) Republic of Texas.
After Texas became part of the U.S., Pease served on both the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate. He served as the governor of Texas from 1853–1857. During his time as governor, he paid down the state’s debt and started a fund that would eventually finance Texas’ schools and colleges. Referred to by the Walter Webb’s Handbook of Texas as “an outstanding governor,” Pease also encouraged railroad construction in Texas and oversaw a building campaign that led to the completion of the Governor’s Mansion and the Texas Capitol.
On the other hand, Pease also established Native American reservations in the state. Sadly, the version of the Handbook of Texas currently available online still calls this an effort to “civilize and educate the state’s Indian population.” Hey Texas State Historical Association — fix that. (Also I just realized that the Texas State Historical Association folks share office space with us so maybe I will actually march across the hall and ask them to fix it… It also makes sense to me now why they’re housed in Walter Webb Hall.)
During the Civil War, Pease was a staunch Union supporter and as such fully retired from public life at that time. Following the War, Pease helped organize and became a leader in the Republican party. He also urged the Constitutional Convention of 1868–1869 to accept radical reconstruction so that Texas could normalize relations with the Union as soon as possible.
Pease was appointed as Texas’ civilian governor in 1867. Unfortunately, he managed to alienate both ex-Unionists and ex-Confederates, leading to his resignation in 1869.
Pease died in August 1883 following an attack of apoplexy, which google tells me is “unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke.”
Pease and his wife donated the land now known as Pease Park in 1875. The land remained developed until 1926. Today, Shoal Creek Trail, a hike-and-bike trail starting at 38th street and ending downtown, runs through Pease Park. The park also includes beach volleyball courts, picnic tables, and a playground. And, of course, it helps keep Austin weird with the annual celebration of Eeyore’s Birthday.
