History
1834 Homesite of Capt. and Mrs. Almaron Dickinson
1834 Homesite of Capt. and Mrs. Almaron Dickinson Site of the home to which two of the survivors of the Alamo returned, March 13, 1836. Susanna Dickinson, with her infant daughter, brought news of fall of Alamo into Mexican hands (March 6) and of the death of its heroic defenders from Gonzales, among whom was her young husband. (1969)
History
African American Education in Gonzales
Education for American Negro citizens of Gonzales began in the 1870s at the home of Myrtle Moses Mathis. More formalized instruction took place in the 1890s when the school occupied a 2-story community building. A brick schoolhouse was erected about 1914 on land donated by W.M. Fly and Josephine K. Peck.
History
Amasa Turner
Star and Wreath Served as a private, officer and recruiter in the Army of Texas, 1835-36. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962
History
Andrew Ponton
In memory of Andrew Ponton, Alcalde Author of the historic letter written on Sept. 26, 1835, in reply to Mexico's demand for the colonists' cannon at Gonzales. One of the defenders of Gonzales, October 2, 1835.
History
Andrew Ponton
Born in Virginia to William and Isabella (Mooreland) Ponton, Andrew Ponton came to Texas in December 1829 and settled in Green DeWitt's Colony, receiving a land grant near Hallettsville. He became active in area politics, and in 1834 he was named alcalde, or mayor, of the municipality of Gonzales.
History
Battle of Gonzales
The first battle of the Texas Revolution, fought on the west side of the Guadalupe River about four miles above Gonzales on October 2, 1835, came to be known as the Lexington of Texas. The incident grew out of Col. Domingo de Ugartechea's demand late in September for a cannon given to the settlement for defense against Indians.
History
Bennet Valentine
From 1835 to his death in 1843 he fought to gain and maintain Texas Independence.
Architecture
Braches House
Bartlett McClure and his wife Sarah Ann built a log cabin and settled here in 1831 McClure, the first chief justice of Gonzales County, was a member of the convention of Texas in 1833. This house was built in 1842-43. After Judge McClure's death in 1842, Sarah Ann married Charles Braches, a member of the Republic of Texas Congress.
History
Campsite Marking Start of San Jacinto Campaign
On March 11, 1836, Sam Houston, leader of Texas Revolutionary Forces, arrived here to organize the second volunteer army. On March 13, he heard of the massacre of Alamo defenders and that the Mexican army was advancing toward Gonzales. He ordered the town burned so that the enemy might find no food or shelter upon their arrival.
History
Cemetery Square
This block of the Inner Town was designated in 1825 as a cemetery. Traditionally the burial ground for Nicholas Peck, a soldier of San Jacinto; Daniel Davis, a soldier in mier expedition, and his wife, Elizabeth; along with other early-day residents.
History
Central Square
James Kerr in 1825 was appointed to select and survey a capital for the Mexican land grant colony of Green DeWitt. Kerr named this Gonzales, for Don Rafael Gonzales, then governor of Coahuila and Texas. A 49-block square composed the inner town. This was Central Square.
History
Charles Mason
Star and Wreath A volunteer soldier who fought for Texas Independence at Gonzales and San Jacinto. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962
History
Community of Pilgrim
Named in honor of Thomas J. Pilgrim (1804-1877), noted pioneer educator. Born in Connecticut, he came in 1828 to Texas, where in 1829 he organized a school at San Felipe, in Stephen F. Austin's Colony. Also started first Sunday School in Texas. In 1838 he received a land grant of 1,476 acres (including this site) from Texas Republic.
History
Community of Wrightsboro
Founded in 1851 by L. C. "Jack" Wright. Fellow settlers with a sense of humor gave town name because Wright's burro (donkey) roamed the area at will. A native of Alabama, Wright (1820-1905) was a noted marksman. He served in Confederate Army in Civil War (1861-65), then returned to stock raising here. Was also a county commissioner 10 years.
History
David Burkett
Progressive patriot and citizen soldier in Texas war for independence. A member of Green Dewitt's Colony. Came to Texas with his family, 1830. Served as a guard for women and children fleeing Gonzales before the approach of Santa Anna, 1836. Is buried on his 4,428-acre land grant extending south from this site.
History
Dikes Family Cemetery
Established about 1850 by Miles G. Dikes (1804-1872). An original member of DeWitt Colony, Dikes emigrated from Georgia in 1829. In 1839 , married Eady Hodges (1810-1868). First known burial, in 1859, was Dikes' son, Lovic. Cemetery contains 20 marked graves; other are unmarked. Still in use by descendants.
History
Dr. George Washington Barnett
Born in South Carolina December 12, 1793, killed by Indians October 8, 1848. Served in the army of Texas, 1835-36 signed the Texas declaration of independence, '36 member of the senate of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh congresses of the republic.
History
Dr. John Turner Tinsley
John Turner Tinsley was born circa 1809 in Sumner County, Tennessee to Moses and Elizabeth (Turner) Tinsley. He later became a physician and married Nancy Willis of Kentucky, with whom he had five children. The family came to Gonzales in 1834 and settled east of Water Street. Tinsley served the community as a physician, alderman, mayor and justice of the peace.
History
Dr. Thomas Polk
Star and Wreath Born February 7, 1792, he served Texas and the men who fought for her independence at the Siege of Bexar and the San Jacinto Campaign 1835-36. Died February 2, 1872. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962
History
Duncan's Ferry (on San Marcos River)
Started about 1834 by Benjamin Duncan (1793-1866), a Scotsman. According to tradition, Susanna Dickinson, the widow of Almaron Dickinson, stopped first at Duncan's home on her way to tell people of Gonzales of fall of the Alamo. She was one of few survivors of this bloody battle of Texas Revolution, in which many Gonzales men died.
History
Ebenezer Cemetery
Found in the 1850s during Texas' early statehood, this burial ground served the Ebenezer community and southern Gonzales County. Ebenezer Church, built by Baptists and later serving a Methodist congregation, was located near the cemetery entrance and probably housed a school. The church closed in the early 1900s, but the cemetery remains as an important reminder of Ebenezer settlement.
History
Edward Dickinson
Star and Wreath A citizen soldier and volunteer in the San Jacinto Campaign, 1836.
History
Eli Mitchell
Star and Wreath He fought at Gonzales and furnished supplies to the Texas army, 1835. Delegate to the 1833 Convention. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962
Architecture
Episcopal Church of the Messiah
Following early missionary efforts in the Gonzales area, the Episcopal Church of the Messiah was established in 1855. Land at this site was granted by city officials, and construction of the Gothic Revival sanctuary was completed in 1881. The original wooden belfry was replaced by the native stone bell tower in 1928.
History
First Shot of the Texas Revolution
One and one-half miles from here the first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired from a small cannon by Texans under the command of Col. John H. Moore, October 2, 1835.
Elsewhere in Texas
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
