La Porte in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
De Zavala Plaza
Photographed By Jim Evans, March 8, 2012
1. De Zavala Plaza Marker
Name honors Lorenzo de Zavala, Vice President of Republic of Texas (Ad Interim, March 17-Oct. 17 1836).
Born in Yucatan and educated in the Seminary of Ildefonso, De Zavala was an ardent Liberal who was jailed 1814-1817 for political activities. In prison he learned English and became a medical doctor. In 1821 he was a member of the Cortes in Madrid, Spain, and later was Governor of a province of Mexico.
After Mexico won independence from Spain, he kept working for Democratic reforms. Loyal to the 1824 Constitution of Mexico, he opposed dictator Santa Anna, and moved to Texas to seek freedom. On March 2, 1836 he signed Texas' Declaration of Independence. Later he signed the Republic of Texas Constitution.
Married twice, he had six children. The family honored his memory by keeping alive his ideals after his early death. The Legislature of Texas in 1858 named Zavala County in his honor.
Lorenzo de Zavala, many of his descendants, and some of their neighbors and friends were interred in the De Zavala family cemetery, on the plantation across Buffalo Bayou from this site. This plaza is dedicated to the memory of Vice President De Zavala, his family, and others buried in De Zavala Cemetery.
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Texas Independence.
Location. 29° 45.215′ N, 95° 5.392′ W. Marker is in La Porte, Texas, in Harris County. Marker is on Park Road 1836, 0.1 miles north of Independence Parkway, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located within the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, near the Battleship Texas. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3523 Independence Parkway, La Porte TX 77571, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Persons Known to Have Been Buried in De Zavala Cemetery (here, next to this marker); David Thomas (here, next to this marker); Peter Jefferson Duncan (a few steps from this marker); Lorenzo De Zavala (a few steps from this marker); Twin Sisters (within shouting distance of this marker); San Jacinto Battleground Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Burleson's Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Men who fought at San Jacinto and in Army of the Confederacy (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.
Photographed By Steve Henderson, May 27, 2011
2. De Zavala Plaza Marker
Photographed By Steve Henderson, May 27, 2011
3. De Zavala Plaza and Markers
Photographed By Jim Evans, August 3, 2012
4. De Zavala Cemetery
This marker is on the left. The marker on the right is titled “Persons Known to Have Been Buried in De Zavala Cemetery”.
Photographed By Jim Evans, March 8, 2012
5. De Zavala Plaza is directly behind this amillary sphere
The plaza can be seen through and behind the sphere.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2011, by Steve Henderson of Marble Falls, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,378 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on October 3, 2020, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2011, by Steve Henderson of Marble Falls, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on October 3, 2020, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
