Come and Take It!!! Gonzales, TX

   Come and Take It!! That's a battle cry for all Texans. But do you know the story behind this famous saying? Follow me to Gonzales, TX as we both learn all about Texas History and what it means to "Come and Take It." 
   
    I've lived in Texas my entire life and I have never been to Gonzales until now. That's pretty strange considering how much I love Texas History. History is just running throughout Texas and unfortunately, due to recent events, we might lose our history. I for one will never forget what made this state so great. There is so much more that I want to learn and feel that I need to know. History is history, whether we like it or not.

    I started the day out pretty early. Not knowing anything about Gonzales or even looking at a map, I just drove around to see what I could find. We found the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce. This is where I highly suggest you start out. The chamber is located in the Gonzales Old Jail Museum. The office has the two nicest ladies working there, they are very helpful, full of information, and you get a goodie bag with informational pamphlets. Of course, I had to buy a shirt while I was there too. This is the place to start your trip and plan your day. Gonzales even has a driving tour that you can take yourself or have a guide take you.

  While we were there we decided to take the free tour of the Old Jail. This is a very interesting and informational tour. I even stood in the solitary confinement cell for about 30 seconds, with the door closed. The jail is 2 stories so you will be going up pretty steep stairs. The jail was built in 1887 and you will visit the sheriff living quarters, women & psychiatric cell, along with the cells upstairs for inmates. Upstairs in the large "runaround room" there is a hanging noose. Yes, this was actually used and they will explain how they did it. Any Old West fans out there? You can hear all about Johnny Hardin and his time in Gonzales. There is a legend about a prisoner named Howard there.  While Howard was in jail, he became obsessed with the clock on the courthouse, keeping strict attention to the number of hours he had to live. He swore his innocence would be shown by the clock, that none of the four faces would ever keep the same time again if he was hanged. Through the years the faces have rarely been consistent. 

   After taking the tour we decided to do a little shopping. the first place we went to was Angels & Outlaws, located right on the square. This is a very cute store with a large selection of apparel for men, women, and children. They also have jewelry and other accessories. You can for sure find a great outfit here. After that we made our way over to Main St. Market Place, now this is a place for some stuff. We looked for over an hour and everything they had in there and of course, I found the one thing that has freaked me out since I was a little girl, a Mrs. Beasly doll. My older sister had one and I was terrified of her, I didn't even want to take a picture of her, but I did and I also wanted a picture of this recipe box. My Grandmother had one and as soon as I saw it I thought of her. It was green and full of everything you could think of to cook. Yes, I should have bought this. Maybe I should go back and see if it's still there. 

  Remember I said to always ask the locals where to go and where to eat, Well we made sure to do that in the Marketplace and she hooked us up as well. We were hungry so she led us right down the road to Rodeo. This is a small cafe that is known for locals. This is their spot. The food is great and a very reasonable price. Actually, I couldn't believe how cheap it was, and they also have daily specials. Well worth it and I will be back.

  After we were full and couldn't take a nap, we decided to get a little more History in. Gonzales Memorial Museum is where we headed. This museum is very unique and houses a lot of historical artifacts. I was amazed by so many things that were held in here. One of my favorites was showing the wardrobe of the time. I could live during the 1700 and 1800's. Hey, it would be easy because I would never know what I would be missing from now.

  Have you ever heard "Come and Take It?" Here is a brief history of the battle that I found on Wikipedia. 

The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835, between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army soldiers.

In 1831, Mexican authorities gave the settlers of Gonzales a small cannon to help protect them from frequent Comanche raids. Over the next four years, the political situation in Mexico deteriorated, and in 1835 several states revolted. As the unrest spread, Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea, the commander of all Mexican troops in Texas, felt it unwise to leave the residents of Gonzales with a weapon and requested the return of the cannon.

When the initial request was refused, Ugartechea sent 100 dragoons to retrieve the cannon. The soldiers neared Gonzales on September 29, but the colonists used a variety of excuses to keep them from the town, while secretly sending messengers to request assistance from nearby communities. Within two days, up to 140 Texians gathered in Gonzales, all determined not to give up the cannon. On October 1, settlers voted to initiate a fight. Mexican soldiers opened fire as Texians approached their camp in the early hours of October 2. After several hours of desultory firing, the Mexican soldiers withdrew.

  The cannon was lost for quite some time and the cannons fate has been disputed over the years. Many believe it was taken back by Mexico while others believe it could have fought at the Alamo, while some believe it was melted down. The cannon below is believed to be that cannon that was found by accident.This may or may not be the famous "Come and Take It" cannon but as a Texian, I believe it is. 

  After this, we decided to do a little more shopping. We were told to go to the Emporium and we were glad we did. You will not believe what all is in here. Two stories of everything and then some. We were there for hours. But I will say in the summer months it is very hot in there so be careful. You will not believe what you will find, and of course, I found my old records and 8 tracks...because you can never have enough of those. This is the antique store that conquers all antique stores. But there are many more there, as well as throughout town. We even stopped at a couple house that has their items in the yard. You wander through like a maze and pick what you want. They were a fun couple to talk to.

   Now we had one more stop before we left Gonzales, Pioneer Village. You could easily spend all day here, and if they wanted to lock the gates and just let me live there that would be fine too. The Gonzales Pioneer Village houses a collection of 1800s and early 1900s era houses and building from Gonzales County.

Here you can learn about Texas History and what it was like in that era. Tours are accompanied by volunteers in period costumes and have full information on all buildings and history. Just let me live in the Muenzler House and I will be happy. This may be the first place you would want to go after visiting the Chamber. It will be the busiest part of your day, but so worth it. Below is a pic of the Blacksmith Shop and the Muenzler House.

  We were finished with our day and headed home but first, one last stop. I was more excited to see this than almost anything else for the day. Sam Houston's Oak. Here is some information of why this area is so important. Courtesy of https://findery.com/

   Along U.S. Highway 90, approximately 9 miles east of Gonzales is a Texas historical marker that reads, “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 settlements, who went with him to San Jacinto.”

So, if you stopped your car and read that description, you might just say something like “huh”, or “well, I'll be darned”, and then you would be on your way. However, what that description fails to convey is just how that event, and this location, fit into the big picture of Texas history. 

Just a few hundred yards up the gravel road is that ancient oak tree known as the “Sam Houston Oak.” It is also known as the “Runaway Scrape Oak”, and sometimes referred to as the “Runaway Speech Oak.” After Sam Houston was appointed Commander-in-Chief at Washington-on-the-Brazos, he rode west to Gonzales where a loosely formed group of around four hundred men had began to organized an army. Shortly after he arrived on March 11th, he learn the fate of the Alamo. 

The news that the Alamo had fallen sent the region into a panic. Most of the colonist and settlers left their homes and head eastward for safety. The movement became known as the Runaway Scrape. Houston and his men burn the town of Gonzales to keep the Mexican Army from gaining any benefit of it. They camped near this oak tree the night of March 13th. Lacking ammunition, supplies, and horses, Houston announced to his men a plan to evacuate and retreat to the east. 

The plantation style home behind the oak is also a historic site known as the McClure-Braches Home. It was built in the 1840s (restored in 1997/’98) and served as a stopping point for wagon trains, stagecoaches and mail wagons for many years.

  This last stop made my entire trip. I was standing and looking at History. I know for some that's not much, but for me it's amazing. Gonzales is so full of Texas HIstory that you just can't get to it all in one day. This would be a great weekend getaway. There are plenty of places to stay, restaurants, and events throughout the year to keep you busy. So if you are a History buff or antique shopper, Gonzales is for sure your day trip destination or weekend getaway.

Travel on,

Cyndi