Gateway to Texas history...Gonzales, Texas

Gonzales is one of the earliest Anglo-American settlements in Texas, the first west of the Colorado River. It was established by Empresario Green DeWitt as the capital of his colony in August 1825. DeWitt named the community for Rafael Gonzáles, governor of Coahuila y Tejas. The 49 original blocks and seven public squares laid out in the shape of a Greek cross withstood the test of time and form the first Texas History Museum District.

Gonzales is most famous because it was the site of the first skirmish of the Texas Revolution. In 1831, the Mexican government gave the settlers a small cannon for protection against Indian attacks. At the outbreak of settler hostilities, a contingent of Mexican soldiers was sent from San Antonio to retrieve the cannon. On 2 October 1835, Texians under the command of John H. Moore confronted them. The Texans had fashioned a flag with the words “Come and take it”. The Texans successfully resisted the federal troops in what became known as the Battle of Gonzales. Gonzales later contributed thirty-two men from the Gonzales Ranging Company to the ill-fated defense of the Alamo. It was to Gonzales that Susanna Dickinson, widow of one of the Alamo defenders, and Joe, the slave of William B. Travis, fled with news of the Alamo massacre. General Sam Houston was here organizing the Texas army and anticipated the town would be the next target of General Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Mexican army. He had the town burned and ordered a retreat, thus precipitating the Runaway Scrape.

If you go visit the Gonzales Memorial Museum which serves a memorial to these 32 men you will see actual artifacts from this period in time. The real Come and Take It cannon is located in the museum to see up close and you can even touch it! Beautiful building full of Texas history and well worth a visit.

Some of the historical sites you may want to visit are the Old Jail Museum which is a hidden treat. Located across from the fire station, the old Jailhouse staff will take you on a free personal tour of the first and second floors and allow you inside the jail cells. The walls have graffiti from former prisonsers. There is a gallows like the original that was in there on the second floor. Worth a visit and free!

There is a driving tour with signs located around the town. The tour goes in a loop and you can enter at any point so you will not miss any of the historical focus points of the town. The tour is free and you can download an app from Itunes with narration. It is called TOUR GONZALES. There are many historical homes and buildings that have been beautifully maintained and will take you back in time. This year the JB Wells facility has added a convention expo center where approximately 60 booths will be located. These booths will include boutique style shopping and agriculture and equine products. There is something for everyone so don’t miss out. The expo center is air conditioned so it will be a popular hangout in between performances.