BRYAN

city, seat (1843) of Brazos county, east-central Texas, U.S. It is located 99 miles (159 km) northwest of Houston. Settled in the 1820s and formally founded in 1855, it was named for William Joel Bryan, who inherited the land for the townsite from his uncle, Stephen F. Austin (a founder of Texas). Cotton, dairying, and poultry are fundamental to the economy. The Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University (1876) and the Agricultural Experiment Station are situated at nearby College Station. The university's research programs include a nuclear science centre and other facilities on what was formerly Bryan Air Force Base. The Texas International Speedway is immediately east. Inc. 1872. Pop. (1990) city, 55,002; BryanCollege Station MSA, 121,862; (1994 est.) city, 60,756; BryanCollege Station MSA, 130,389.