Texas Independence Trail Region

03/24/2025

Wouldn’t you have loved to see this?!?!

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Hw3JBoQC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Boats in Buffalo Bayou (1910s)

1910s, Buffalo Bayou was alive with small boats navigating its winding waters, transporting goods and passengers through Houston’s developing port area. Wooden barges and steamboats docked along the bayou’s muddy banks, delivering cotton, lumber, and other goods to nearby warehouses. Workers and river pilots handled the vessels with precision, making the bayou an important artery for the city’s economic activity. This snapshot reflected a time when water transport played a vital role in Houston’s early development before the rise of larger industrial ports.

03/19/2025

C 1836…. Texas - Col. Fannin and his men.

Today in Fort Defiance History, March 19 1836, Colonel Fannin and the garrison he commands begin their retreat to the east under the cover of a dense fog.

Throughout the previous weeks, a series of unfortunate events have diminished the Goliad Garrison's ability to effectively retreat. All of these factors will be heavy on the minds of the men as they leave Fort Defiance on this day 189 years ago. They will depart at 9am and be tracked down at about 1pm by the forward guard of Urrea's command near modern day Fannin Battleground. This is where the Battle of Coleto Creek will take place or as the Mexican Army called it, la batalla del encinal del Perdido or "The Battle of the Oak Grove of the Lost".

In the first day of fighting, the Texian independence fighters will be able to hold off the Mexican cavalry and light infantry attacks by forming a hollow square with cannons on each corner. The day will be mostly a draw as night falls with each side having suffered several dozen injuries but only a handful of killed in action.

The Mexican army is low on ammunition, but the artillery and more infantry are bringing up the rear. The Texians have plenty of ammunition and guns but have no water and little to no food.

General Urrea will deploy a bit of psychological warfare once the sun sets by having faux cavalry charges and bugles playing throughout the cold, misty night. The Texians will hold a council of war and decide to hold fast, staying with their fallen counterparts, reinforcing their makeshift barricade, and preparing to fight it out the next day.

📷Picture: Presidio La Bahía in the spring fog (2025) Mitchell L Critel.
Further Reading: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/coleto-battle-of

03/17/2025

Thinking about the Irish ☘️ people who made great strides for Texas!

03/15/2025

Anyone up for exploring?!?!

03/14/2025

The Ark of the Covenant for the !

03/14/2025

This sounds like a fun way to kick off !

This Saturday! March 15th! The Happy Out will be on stage at Johnny Pickles Distillery, playing traditional Irish Music.
Prizes!
Green Cocktails!
Food by Any Wich Way
Join them for a fun St Patrick's Day Celebration!

03/13/2025

1836… Fort Defiance- Presidio La Bahía State Historic Site.

Today in Fort Defiance history, March 13 1836. Lieutenant Colonel William Ward arrives at Refugio in the afternoon along with around 100 men to attempt to save King's command and get them back to Goliad. As night fell a small group of soldiers attacked a Mexican Army camp across the river, and routed them before returning to the mission.

Samuel G. Hardaway's Account of March 13 1836:
"We marched at 3 o'clock in the morning, and arrived at the Mission about 2 o'clock of the same day; and as we expected, found Captain King and his company in the Church and a large company of Mexicans in sight across the river. We succeeded in getting to the Church where we remained till night, when we crossed the river by fording it at a shallow place, and made an attack on them, and completely routed them, killing about 25 with no loss on our side. We then returned to the Church..."

📷Image: Samuel George Hardaway (Image taken after the American Civil War) Courtesy James H. Hardaway family collection, Alabama Department of Archives and History.

🕵️‍♀️Further Reading: https://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/goliadsanpat2.htm

03/06/2025

Dawn at - March 6, 1836 & today a great discovery released about the limestone which makes up The Alamo…. from the Quarry of today’s !

02/24/2025

Spring Break & Summertime are coming! The Region had some AMAZING beaches!!!

HomeToGo has just released its 2025 Beach Index, ranking the best 35 beach destinations based on factors like affordability, local charm, hidden gem status, and ideal weather conditions.

02/22/2025

Such an interesting interpretative planning workshop for today! This is exciting!

02/17/2025

Happy Presidents Day! Today, we honor the leaders who have shaped our nation. Did you know that two U.S. Presidents were born in Texas? Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President, was born in Denison, and Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President, hailed from Stonewall. Let's celebrate their legacies and the rich history of the Lone Star State!

02/15/2025

The Chili Queens & their incredible influence on San Antonio’s heritage!

San Antonio can trace much of its culinary heritage to the Chili Queens, a group of women who brought the Mexican tradition of open-air food stands to San Antonio in the 1880s. We will have the opportunity to hear more about these culinary pioneers listening to, "Centuries of Chili: Texas Spirit and Heritage through the Lens of Tex-Mex," at our 100th Oratorical Contest!

Since 1926, The Battle of Flowers Oratorical Contest is the oldest college-level forensics contest in Texas, having been held annually on a topic of Texas history. Battle of Flowers is proud to support the education and collegiate forensics experience of our winners through prize money awarded to the top five finalists and their institutions. Our contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a Texas university or college. Unveiling the Theme for the 100th Battle of Flowers Oratorical Contest: “Six Flags of Texas—Centuries of History, 100 Years of Storytelling!”

With this theme, we’ll embark on a captivating journey through 500 years of Texas history, as we explore each of the distinct eras in our state’s evolution. From the time of Spanish exploration, to the fight for Texas’ independence, to the dawn of the Space Age, each flag represents a unique chapter in our state's rich and diverse heritage.

02/14/2025

All those fantastic THC State Historic Site colleagues visiting this week!

If you happened by the Presidio yesterday afternoon you may have seen a large group moving around the site. This week we hosted Texas Historical Commission site managers and staff from across the state alongside our friends at Museum of the Coastal Bend - Victoria, TX

This group meets twice each year in person. We were honored to host our colleagues and show them why our fort and the area are special to us!

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day! Photo: I Love Texas

02/08/2025

What a GORGEOUS day to celebrate with some country music!!!! Tickets still available!

02/08/2025

Let's ! Yep, the rodeo has kicked off in the Region in San Antonio! Are ya ready? Photo: SARodeo