Brewster County was formed from Presidio County, created on February 2, 1887, and organized on February 14, 1887. In 1897, the territory of Buchel and Foley counties was added to Brewster. It was named for Henry Percy Brewster, 1816-1884, a soldier and statesman and a hero of San Jacinto. Murphyville became the county seat in 1887, and its name was changed to Alpine in 1889. Brewster County is the largest county in area in the state.