Historical Markers in Gonzales, Texas

Andrew Ponton · 1936

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.

Andrew Zumwalt · 1936

A San Jacinto veteran, born September 1, 1817; died November 1, 1886.

First Shot of the Texas Revolution · 1936

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.

Gonzales Cannon · 1936

On this site September 29, 1835, the Mexican government troops demanded the return of the Gonzales cannon. After two days delay, awaiting recruits, the colonists answered, "Come and Take It."

Gonzales Cannon Burial Site · 1936

On this site September 29, 1835 the Gonzales cannon was buried from the 150 Mexican Dragoons sent to Demand it. Two days later it was mounted on ox-cart wheels, loaded with chains and scrap iron, and fired at the…

Jesse Kencheloe Davis · 1936

A San Jacinto veteran, born in Alabama, January 11,1802. Died December 28, 1869. His wife Eliza Davis born in Alabama, May 12, 1819. Died January 11, 1875.

Old Eighteen · 1936

On this site, September 29, 1835 began the strategy of the 18 Texans who by advising with alcalde Andrew Ponton, held for two days 150 Mexican Dragoons sent to demand the Gonzales cannon, allowing colonists time to mass…

Santa Anna Mound · 1936

Formerly DeWitt Mound now site DeWitt Family Cemetery. Here Mexican troops camped between September 29 and October 1, 1835, awaiting delivery of the Gonzales cannon. Colonists refusing to surrender cannon, the Mexicans…

Sarah Seely Dewitt · 1936

Who with her daughter Evaline made the first battle flag of Texas used by the colonists in the Battle of Gonzales, October 2, 1835. Born in Virginia, 1789 came to Texas in 1826 with her husband Green De Witt,…

The Immortal 32 · 1936

In Memory of the Immortal 32 Gonzales men and boys who, on March 1, 1836 fought their way into the beleaguered Alamo to die with Colonel William B. Travis for the Liberty of Texas. They were the last and only…

Amasa Turner · 1962

Star and Wreath Served as a private, officer and recruiter in the Army of Texas, 1835-36. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962

Augustus H. Jones · 1962

Star and Wreath He fought for Texas Independence at Goliad and at the Storming of Bexar, 1835. Erected by the State of texas, 1962

Bennet Valentine · 1962

From 1835 to his death in 1843 he fought to gain and maintain Texas Independence.

Charles Mason · 1962

Star and Wreath A volunteer soldier who fought for Texas Independence at Gonzales and San Jacinto. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962

David L. Kokernot · 1962

Star and Wreath A soldier, officer, scout and courier in the Texas War for Independence, 1835-36. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962

Edward Dickinson · 1962

Star and Wreath A citizen soldier and volunteer in the San Jacinto Campaign, 1836.

Eli Mitchell · 1962

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

Fleming T. Wells · 1962

Star and Wreath Born in Orange County; purser in the Texas Navy. Secretary to Captain Jeremiah Brown of the Invincible, died June 2, 1844. Erected by the State of texas, 1962

Gonzales College · 1962

Hutson B. Littlefield · 1962

Star and Wreath A volunteer soldier who fought in the Texas War for Independence lies here. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962

James D. Owens · 1962

Star and Wreath Born December 7, 1811. A volunteer soldier in the Texas army during the Texas War for Independence. Served in the San Jacinto Campaign; died August 14, 1843. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962

The Eggleston House · 1962

text plate inscription: The Eggleston House was one of the first houses built in Gonzales after the Run-Away Scrape and burning of the town in 1836. Horace Eggleston built this house in 1848 and it was one of the first…

William A. Matthews · 1962

Star and Wreath A volunteer soldier, freighter, quartermaster and courier in the Texas War for Independence. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962

Brown House · 1963

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Battle of Gonzales · 1964

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.…

Kerr's Settlement · 1964

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Wells Home · 1964

Federal period ranch home of 15 rooms. Built in 1885 of long leaf pine lumber brought by Gulf steamers from Florida. Hauled from Indianola by oxcarts. Furnished in Guadalupe River valley walnut pieces hand-crafted in…

Women of the Confederacy · 1964

John Fauth House · 1965

The Pilgrim Home · 1965

Center hall, 2 double fireplaces, wide board pine floors. Built 1883 for his bride, Mary Fleda Boothe, by Carey J. Pilgrim, editor "Gonzales Inquirer," son of T. J. Pilgrim, founder first Sunday School in Texas.…

Cemetery Square · 1966

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…

Central Square · 1966

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…

Church Square · 1966

St. Paul St.

David Burkett · 1966

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…

Gonzales City Cemetery · 1966

By tradition, remains of early settlers buried at first in Cemetery Square, inner town of Gonzales, rest here in a common grave. Others buried here include key men in Texas Revolution, Dr. George W. Barnett, Maj.…

Gonzales County Jail · 1966

Gonzales Courthouse · 1966

In county organized 1837, first courthouse burned 1893. This second one was built 1894-1896 at cost of $64,450. Headquarters for many Texas leaders; scene of important court decisions. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark -…

Indian Fort, Site of · 1966

An Indian raid July 2, 1826, left one Gonzales settler dead, another shot, homes plundered. Settlers fled to Burnham Station on the Colorado, or moved to Lavaca River. In 1827 DeWitt's Colonist were ordered back here.…

Jail Square · 1966

First mapped in 1825 as "Market Square," but had become "Jail Square" prior to 1836 when Gonzales was burned by order of Gen. San Houston to prevent buildings and supplies falling into possession of oncoming enemy, Gen.…

James W. Robinson · 1966

First Lieutenant Governor of Texas James W. Robinson (1800-1857) Born in Indiana. Came to Texas in 1833. Elected lieutenant governor in November, 1835, Served as governor January to March 1836, then fought as a private…

Kerr's Creek · 1966

Commissioned to found a capital for colony of Green DeWitt, ex-Missouri state senator James Kerr settled here. He and six other men built homes on this stream--known ever since as Kerr's Creek. After a destructive…

Market Square · 1966

First mapped in 1825 as "Jail Square," but became Market Square prior to 1836, and has served this purpose ever since; while that block, first mapped as "Market Square," became "Jail Square." The squares of Gonzales.…

Military Plaza · 1966

To comply with wishes of governor of Coahuila and Texas, the 1825 plans for Gonzales followed usual plans for Spanish towns. Surveyed by James Kerr, agent for colony's contractor, Green DeWitt, and Kerr's assistant,…

Plaza · 1966

Gonzales town tract of 4 square leagues had 49 squares in inner city -- 7 of these squares for public use. This one was for municipal building, but became plaza. Now called Texas Heroes Square, in honor of all Gonzales…

Kennard House · 1967

Built 1895 by James B. and Anna Jones Kennard. Of "Queen Anne" style, house remained until 1963 in Kennard family. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967 Incise on base: Restored 1965-67 by Mr. and Mrs. Julius A. Bauch

1834 Homesite of Capt. and Mrs. Almaron Dickinson · 1969

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…

Campsite Marking Start of San Jacinto Campaign · 1969

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…

Route of Gen. Sam Houston to San Jacinto · 1969

Stricken with news of the fall of the Alamo and threatened by a massive Mexican army, Sam Houston gathered the nucleus of a Texan army here, issued orders to burn this town (to hinder the Mexicans) and marched east,…

Site of Hopkinsville · 1969

Once a thriving pioneer community. Founded by D. S. Hopkins (1819-1917), farmer who settled here in 1852. Located in farm-ranch area. Herds started here, bound for Chisholm trail. Abandoned 1873 when the citizens moved…

Two Miles North to Site of Maurin Quarry · 1969

In operation 1882-1908, this quarry supplied sandstone for buildings in Gonzales, Shiner, Moulton, Flatonia, Hallettsville. Stone was first dynamited, then cut by hand. It was shipped by wagon until railroad was built.…

Dikes Family Cemetery · 1971

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,…

Duncan's Ferry (on San Marcos River) · 1971

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…

Charles T. Rather House · 1975

Episcopal Church of the Messiah · 1981

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…

Pilgrim Presbyterian Church · 1982

The early Gonzales County settlement of Pilgrim was named in honor of Thomas J. Pilgrim, a noted area educator who had received a Republic of Texas land grant here in 1838. In 1881 residents of the pioneer community…

Holmes Hospital · 1984

A native of Gonzales County, Dr. George Holmes (1881-1948) began practicing medicine in Gonzales in 1915. His dream of a fully equipped hospital for the county seat was realized with the completion of this hospital…

Ebenezer Cemetery · 1988

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…

Fort Waul · 1988

Named for Confederate General Thomas N. Waul, Fort Waul was built to defend inland Texas from possible Federal advances up the Guadalupe River from the Gulf of Mexico, as well as to provide protection for military…

James Hodges, Sr. · 1990

James Hodges, Sr., came to Gonzales in April 1835. Soon after his arrival he purchased four leagues (17,721 acres) of land at the forks of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers for $3,000 in silver. On September 26, 1835,…

First Methodist Church of Gonzales · 1991