About 21 miles southeast of Houston is one of Texas' and the Nation's most significant battlefields. It is where Texans won the fight for their independence* and opened the door to westward expansion of the United States. The name: San Jacinto. It has sometimes been referred to by historians as one of the eight most important battles of history.

Around 4 p.m. on April 21, 1836, The Republic of Texas Army of approximately 850 men, led by General Sam Houston, boldly moved across the San Jacinto battlefield. They came upon the Mexican encampment of about 1,300 men taking a siesta. The battle lasted approximately 18 minutes. Texas casualties that day were six killed and 24 wounded. Mexican casualties were 630 killed and 208 wounded.

The Republic of Texas was, that day, firmly established.

The battlefield was designated a park in 1897. The 570 foot monument, which houses the San Jacinto Museum of History, was started in 1936 and completed in 1939. The Park is administered by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

There has never been a master plan for the operation of the Park. As a result, there is a myriad of monuments, markers, etc. which confuse visitors. A master plan has been proposed to:

¨ Restore and preserve the 1836 battlefield.

¨ Encourage greater public understanding and appreciation of the context, tactics and significance of the battle.

¨ Designate new, larger and improved commemoration zones for monuments and markers and new, large and improved areas for picnics and recreation.

¨ Build an additional venue which would include the new museum/visitor center for educating the public, particularly the school children, and for interpreting and preserving the museum collections.

¨ Increase tourism, attendance and earned income.

¨ Expand educational programs and exhibits.

On April 20, 1997 visit the Monument for the celebration by The Sons of the Republic of Texas, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, San Jacinto Descendants and fellow Texans at 2 p.m.

The Texas Army will create a re-enactment of the Battle on April 19^th.

Sam Houston IV is the great grandson of General Sam Houston (later President Houston) and member of the Sam Houston Chapter of The Sons of the Republic of Texas, a heraldic organization.

*The Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2, 1836. For more information on Texas history go to http://www.thc.state.tx.us.

E-mail me at webmaster@hal-pc.org with any comments you have and tell me what you want to see here.

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