Bug's Guidebook to Texas.

[Bugman]

Gonzales is in Guadalupe County about 65 miles south of Austin.

In 1825 Green Dewitt received an impresario contract from the Mexican government allowing him to settle 400 families in Texas. He chose some land near the confluence of the Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers. Dewitt Colony was one of the earliest Anglo-American colonies in Texas, and the first west of the Colorado River. It was here, on October 2 1835 that the first shots of the Texas Revolution were fired. More on that later.

 

[Bugman]

Our tour begins at the Old Jail Museum. Built in 1887 at a cost of $21,660.20 and in use until 1975, the jail could hold up to 200 prisoners 'in the event of riot.'

 

[Bugman]

Some pictures of the sheriff's office and jailers bedroom.

 

[Bugman]

The dungeon, where troublesome prisoners were held. It became known the 'lunatics' cell. The only source of air and light were a few holes in the top of the door.

 

[Bugman]

Some of the cell blocks. Note the graffiti covered wall in the last picture.

 

[Bugman]

A replica of the original gallows. The last man hanged here was Albert Howard, on March 18 1921. There is a story that he became obsessed with the clock on the courthouse tower, counting down the hours of life left to him. Howard proclaimed that as proof of his innocence, the four clock faces would never again show the same time. Since then, the clocks have seldom been in agreement. The gallows was torn down sometime in the 1950s, long after the state had taken charge of executions.

 

[Bugman]

One block north of the jail is Confederate Square. This monument was sculpted by Frank Teich and donated by The Daughters of The Republic of Texas in 1910. Across the street is the historic Randle-Rather building. The bricks used in the building were made in Gonzales.

 

[Bugman]

As mentioned in my first post, the Texas Revolution began here on October 2 1835. This field was the site of the first battle. Just yards away, the Guadalupe River flows quietly.

 

[Bugman]

Built in 1936 and funded by the Works Project Administration, the Gonzales Memorial Museum commemorates the Immortal 32, men from Gonzales and Dewitt Colony who died defending the Alamo. The museum features a reflecting pool and small amphitheater. The pool has been drained and turned off to conserve water during the drought.

 

[osprey825]

Thanks for the nice tour Bugman. More places to search on Google and Google earth. I can imagine those cells weren't too comfortable with the Texas heat.

 

[Bugman]

Thanks for the nice tour Bugman. More places to search on Google and Google earth. I can imagine those cells weren't too comfortable with the Texas heat.

Thanks, glad you've enjoyed it. More pictures are coming. Yes, that must have been a miserable place in the heat of summer.

 

[Bugman]

From its founding, Indian raids plagued Gonzales. In 1831 Dewitt requested help from the Mexican government. They responded by sending what is now famous in Texas history as the Come And Take It Cannon. Some believe this cannon fired the first shot of the revolution. Lost to history for many years, it was discovered buried in a peach orchard in Gonzales. An amazing historical artifact.

 

[Bugman]

An amputation kit from the period. A collection of artifacts that were in daily use in the 19th century.

 

[milagros317]

Very interesting collection of photos. Thanks for the virtual tour, Bugman. 😀

 

[Bugman]

Very interesting collection of photos. Thanks for the virtual tour, Bugman. 😀

My pleasure Mils, glad you've enjoyed it. The tour will continue soon.

 

[Bugman]

Left.

The J.D. Houston House, 1898.

The J.B. Kenard House, 1895.

 

[Bugman]

The Eggleston House. Horace Eggleston built this home for his wife Sarah Ann in 1845. In 1836, with her husband fighting for Texas Independence, Sarah Ann joined thousands of Texans fleeing the advancing Mexican Army, becoming part of the Runaway Scrape.

 

[Bugman]

Gonzales Pioneer Village. This museum is home to a collection of buildings and artifacts from in and around 19th century Gonzales. The Harmon Church. I could not find out when the church was built.

 

[Bugman]

The Knowles Townsend Cabin, circa 1872.

 

[Bugman]

More pictures of the cabin.

 

[Bugman]

The Gates ranch house. A general store.