AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The city of Gonzales has special prominence in the history of this state as the site of the first battle of the Texas Revolution, and the town seeks to heighten awareness of the rich heritage shared by all Texans with a number of museums it has opened to tell the colorful and inspiring story of the Lone Star State.

 

Recognizing the significance of the community's historical attractions, the Gonzales Texas History Museums Partnership, working in conjunction with city leaders, has established a history museum district that encompasses the public lands between and adjacent to St. Lawrence Street and St. Louis Street, extending from Highway 183 to Highway 90; within that area are 18 sites that help illuminate our state's unique past.

 

Several of the museum district locations commemorate the events surrounding that fateful day of October 2, 1835, when local residents took up arms against Mexican troops, firing the first shots in the revolution that would lead to the independence of Texas.  The Gonzales Memorial Museum contains a mural honoring the brave patriots who took part in the Battle of Gonzales as well as an artillery piece that some believe to be the legendary "Come and Take It" cannon that sparked the skirmish.  The limestone museum building is interesting in its own right, having been constructed in the 1930s to mark the centennial of the Lone Star State.

 

Nearby is the Eggleston House Museum, a dogtrot-style log cabin that was built in the 1840s, and the district also contains numerous other examples of historic architecture.  Among them are the Old College, built in 1851, the Old Jail Museum, which dates to the late 1800s, and the Gonzales County Courthouse, constructed in the mid-1890s.

 

The Gonzales museum district encompasses a variety of additional landmarks as well, including the town's seven downtown squares, churches that first opened their doors at the turn of the 20th century, and the 1917 Crystal Theatre.

 

These sites have long been enjoyed by visitors to Gonzales, and the establishment of the museum district is sure to make the town an even more popular destination in the years ahead.  The community offers a treasure trove of interesting and informative locations that help explain how Texas was established and how it has developed into the state we know today, and the community's role as a center for historical tourism is indeed deserving of special recognition.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate a portion of the city of Gonzales as the official Texas History Museum District.

 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

 

Amends page 2, line 19, after "as" and before "official" by striking "the" and substituting "an".