Captured German Krupp 105mm Cannon
Received by 2nd Lieutenant Whit M. DuBose of Company L, 141st Infantry Regiment of the 36th Division on April 21, 1926 where it stands today on the East Avenue in what was known as the Gonzales . . . — — Map (db m187532) HM
In Flanders Fields John McCrae, 1872-1918 In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky, The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below. . . . — — Map (db m187566) HM
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 Mexican hands (March 6) and of the death of its heroic defenders from Gonzales, . . . — — Map (db m128171) HM
Born in Virginia to William and Isabella (Mooreland) Ponton, Andrew Ponton came to Texas in December 1829 and settled in Green DeWitt's Colony, receiving a land grant near Hallettsville. He became active in area politics, and in 1834 he was named . . . — — Map (db m36591) HM
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 toward Gonzales. He . . . — — Map (db m128172) HM
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 with other early-day . . . — — Map (db m179330) HM
Green DeWitt in 1825 appointed James Kerr to select and survey the capital for DeWitt's Mexican land grant colony. Kerr named the capital Gonzales for Don Rafael Gonzales, Governor of Coahuila and Texas.
This was central square in 49-block . . . — — Map (db m128166) HM
This block of the inner town of Gonzales was set aside in original plans of surveyor James Kerr for religious uses. Kerr's plans were approved by Don Rafael Gonzales the Provisional Governor of Coahuila and Texas. This block is still used for . . . — — Map (db m128168) HM
On July 18, 1917 the volunteer company to be known as company L of the First Texas Infantry was mustered into service at Gonzales. Quartered in Gonzales, the men drilled daily on Gonzales High School grounds until their departure for Camp Bowie . . . — — Map (db m187534) HM
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 approach of Santa Anna, 1836. Is . . . — — Map (db m187579) HM
Born in South Carolina December 12, 1793 Killed by Indians October 8, 1848 Served in the Army of Texas, 1835-36 Signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, 36 Member of the Senate of the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Congresses . . . — — Map (db m239507) HM
John Turner Tinsley was born circa 1802 in Sumner County, Tennessee to Moses and Elizabeth (Turner) Tinsley. He later became a physician and married Nancy Willis of Kentucky, with whom he had five children. The family came to Gonzales in 1834 and . . . — — Map (db m187444) HM
Born February 7, 1797
He served Texas and the men who
Fought for her Independence at the
Siege of Bexar and the San Jacinto
Campaign 1836 - 1836
Died February 2, 1872 — — Map (db m187436) HM
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 completed in 1881. The . . . — — Map (db m179331) HM
Pioneer Texas Baptist minister Z. N. Morrell organized the first Baptist congregation in Gonzales in 1841. It disbanded after about four years, but by 1847 a new congregation, led by the Rev. Richard Ellis and nine charter members, had taken its . . . — — Map (db m123658) HM
Circuit-riding Methodist preachers conducted worship services in this area as early as 1824. In 1841 the Rev. J. P. Sneed organized a Methodist church here as part of his circuit, which included Victoria, Port Lavaca, and Seguin. By 1843 the . . . — — Map (db m123645) HM
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 supply trains. Construction of the . . . — — Map (db m155559) HM
Edwards High School was shuttered in 1965. Jesse A. Smith, along with Frank R. Fryer, Sr. and Clara B. Mathis Fryer, transferred to Gonzales High School Campus.
Jesse Smith is one of the greatest men we shall ever know. We have felt his . . . — — Map (db m187594) HM
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." — — Map (db m128151) HM
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 Mexican Army, the . . . — — Map (db m128170) HM
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 lay men in Texas Revolution, Dr. George W. Barnett, Maj. Valentine Bennet (Quartermaster), . . . — — Map (db m187460) HM
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. — — Map (db m123635) HM
Those Who Served That Others Might Live in Freedom Let Those Who Come After See to It That Their Names Be Not Forgotten
"Come and Take It"
War of 1812
Smith, William D.
Texas Revolution 1836 Davis, Jesse Kancheloe • . . . — — Map (db m187348) WM
The commission created by the Texas Legislature in 1935 to oversee Texas' centennial joined with the Public Works Administration to build a memorial to Texas Revolution events in Gonzales. The memorial includes a museum, amphitheatre and . . . — — Map (db m128176) HM
Green (1787-1835) and Sarah (Seely) (1789-1854) Dewitt moved their family from Missouri to Texas in 1826 after he successfully petitioned the Mexican government for an Empresario Grant to settle 400 Anglo-Americans on lands southwest of Stephen F. . . . — — Map (db m128149) HM
Providence Baptist Church Founded 1874 1020 St. Andrew St.
Henson Chapel United Methodist Church Founded 1882 1107 St. Andrew St.
Union Lea
Missionary Baptist Church Founded 1908 931 St. Andrew St.
Webster Chapel A.M.E. . . . — — Map (db m187616) HM
Who Went Forth at the Call of Their Country to Fight in the Great War for World - Wide Liberty, 1917 - 1919 and
In Memory of
These Men Who Gave Their Lives to This Great Cause
Montgomery Fly
First Lieutenant Infantry . . . — — Map (db m187404) HM
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 — — Map (db m239508) HM
First mapped in 1825 as "Market Square," but had become "Jail Square" prior to 1836 when Gonzales was burned by order of Gen. Sam Houston to prevent buildings and supplies falling into possession of oncoming enemy, Gen. Santa Anna. — — Map (db m128167) HM
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 San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers for $3,000 in silver. On September 26, 1835, in an election, held . . . — — Map (db m155555) HM
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 in the Battle of San Jacinto . . . — — Map (db m123611) HM
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 — — Map (db m239509) HM
All Slaves Are Free!
Galveston Texas: Ashton Villa June 19, 1865
Two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln's historic Emancipation Proclamation, U. S. Major General Gordon Granger took command of the District of Texas . . . — — Map (db m187621) HM
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 Indian raid in 1826, the . . . — — Map (db m187581) HM
In April 1825, Green DeWitt acquired a land grant from the Republic of Mexico to settle 400 families in and around the present location of Gonzales. He recruited ex-Missouri state senator James Kerr as his surveyor general to establish a capital . . . — — Map (db m179326) HM
The Gonzales Masonic Lodge No. 30 A.F. & A.M., chartered January 1847, purchased 11 acres here for use as a cemetery in 1849, adding to the property in 1903. Two graves, those of Calligula Walker (d. 1846) and Allen Walker (d. 1848), predate the . . . — — Map (db m187399) HM
Born in Kentucky in 1798 Died at Gonzales Dec. 28, 1842 Signer of the Tex. Declaration of Independence; Served in the Army in 1836; Appointed Captain of Rangers January 15, 1839; Participated in the Battle of Plum Creek August 12,1840; . . . — — Map (db m187461) HM
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, Byrd Lockhart. This was named . . . — — Map (db m123661) HM
In October 1913, Gonzales County commissioners contracted with A. A. Alsbury & Company to construct a bridge over the Guadalupe River. Completed by February 1914, it connected the rural communities of Oak Forest and Monthalia, both established in . . . — — Map (db m187574) HM
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 buildings, but became plaza.
Now called Texas Heroes Square, in honor of all Gonzales men who fought in the . . . — — Map (db m128169) HM
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, March 13, 1836. He won Victory . . . — — Map (db m128177) HM
1/8 mile north is
Sam Houston Oak
where General Sam Houston
established his headquarters camp
March 13, 1836
after burning the town of Gonzales
Under this oak his
small army was joined by
many volunteers from the
eastern . . . — — Map (db m128178) HM
Extending from this point
one-quarter mile west is
Santa Anna Mound
formerly De Witt Mound
now site De Witt Family Cemetery.
Here Mexican troops camped
between September 29 and
October 1, 1835, awaiting delivery
of the Gonzales . . . — — Map (db m128152) HM
Sarah Ann Ponton, the youngest child of William Ponton and Isabella (Mooreland) Ponton, was born September 16, 1820 in Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri. She migrated to Texas with her parents in 1829. After her father's massacre by Indians in . . . — — Map (db m158403) HM
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, Empresario,
and their . . . — — Map (db m128150) HM
Texas schools officially included Blacks in 1868, but provided no funds to build segregated schools. Classes met outdoors, in homes, churches or other buildings. Mrs. Myrtle Moses Mathis' home was the first Black neighborhood school in Gonzales . . . — — Map (db m187606) HM
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 colonists were ordered back here.
On this lot they built . . . — — Map (db m128173) HM
This bridge is a 140 foot long Parker Through Truss and was constructed in 1913 by Gonzales County and A.A. Alsbury and Co., contractors. It originally spanned the Guadalupe River and was located just west of the 19th century community of Oak . . . — — Map (db m187577) HM
The Eggleston House was one of the first houses built in Gonzales after the Runaway Scrape and burning of the town in 1836. Horace Eggleston built this house in 1848 and it was one of the first permanent type in Gonzales. The house . . . — — Map (db m155582) HM
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 reinforcements to arrive in answer to . . . — — Map (db m128175) HM
On this site,
September 29, 1835
began the strategy of
the 18 Texians 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
recruits for . . . — — Map (db m123671) HM
On February 29, 1852, the Presbyterian Church of Gonzales was constituted with eight charter members, led by the Rev. Joel T. Case. The Rev. John McRae served as the first permanent pastor and the congregation held worship services once a month in . . . — — Map (db m123660) HM
To the Women
of
the Confederacy
whose hearts bled, whose
hands healed, whose pride
was crucified, yet who
were never conquered by
the bitterness of war
nor the devastation of
the Reconstruction.
To their glorious memory . . . — — Map (db m128349) WM
