THE TALE OF TEXAS

A Brief Lone Star History Lesson

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

Once upon a time, a tale of grit, glory, and a state with a larger-than-life personality was born. Welcome to Texas, a land where the hats rival the size of the cattle, and the history is as rich as its legacy oil fields and growing high-tech industries. So, saddle up, pardner, and let’s take a quick ride through the annals of Texas history. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of independence, resilience, and a pioneering spirit where the people are as diverse as the landscape, all coming together to create a unique identity and culture.

Spanish Exploration And Settlement

The year 1519 marked the beginning of Spanish exploration and a search in Texas for El Dorado, a mythical city filled with gold. According to TexasPBS.org, the Spanish Colonial era began with Spanish missions established in the 1680s near where San Angelo, El Paso, and Presidio, Texas are located today. The missions spread, and settlers followed. At first, the indigenous people were friendly with the settlers. In East Texas, the Caddo native Americans initially called them “Tay-yas,” their word for friend or ally. The word went on to be spelled Tejas by the Spanish, and over time, the letter “j” was changed to “x,” and the area became known as Texas.

THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, STATEHOOD, SECESSION AND RECONSTRUCTION

Fast forward a couple of centuries, and the region’s population became more diverse, with settlers pouring in from the newly formed United States. In 1821, the area won independence from Spain and fell under Mexican control. The Mexican government allowed settlers from the United States to immigrate into the area, but tensions and boundary disputes rose, leading to the Texas Revolution in 1835. According to TheAlamo.org, the famous rallying cry — “Remember the Alamo!”— occurred when the Texan Army, under Sam Houston, attacked and defeated Santa Ana’s army on the banks of the San Jacinto River.

This triumph secured Texas’s independence and cemented its place in the annals of history. Declaring its independence from Mexico, Texas became the Republic of Texas. It existed as a sovereign state for almost 10 years, until becoming our nation’s 28th state in December 1845. But war wasn’t over yet in the area. Mexico continued to consider Texas a rebel province, which led to the Mexican-American war from 1846 to 1848.

Just 15 years after Texas became a state, with a new Governor, it seceded (something Gov. Sam Houston was against) in 1861, becoming the 7th state in the new Confederacy. After the Civil War, Texas experienced a period of reconstruction and growth, with the discovery of oil in the early 20th century transforming the state’s economy.

Looking Forward

As we look to the future, it’s clear that Texas will continue to play a significant role in the United States and the world. With its booming economy, rich history, and proud people, the Lone Star State remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for many. So, take a moment and raise a glass to the state’s storied past and bright future.