Gonzales Texas is a Small Town With Big Charm and History! There are so many things to do and see and enjoy!
A Quick History Lesson
In the first conflict of the Texas Revolution the Battle of Gonzales fought over the Gonzales Cannon. The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835.
In 1831, Mexican authorities lent the settlers of Gonzales a small cannon to help protect them from frequent Comanche raids. Over the next few years, the political situation deteriorated and unrest spread. So the commander of all Mexican troops in Texas requested the return of the cannon.
The Texan settlers in Gonzales refused to give it back so the commander of the Mexican troops sent troops 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 Texans 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 Texans approached their camp in the early hours of October 2. After several hours of desultory firing, the Mexican soldiers withdrew.
At this time the Texans raised a homemade white banner with an image of the cannon painted in black in the center, over the words “Come and Take It”. They then fired their cannon at the Mexican camp. The troops were gone before the Texans finished reloading.
This event marked a clear break between the Texan colonists and the Mexican government and is considered to have been the start of the Texas Revolution.
The Come And Take It Flag
The flag was not a flag! Sarah Seely DeWitt, Empresario Green DeWitt’s wife, designed the First Flag. She and her daughter, Naomi, cut up Naomi’s wedding dress to make the “Come and Take It” banner battle flag in late September after Naomi DeWitt married William A. Matthews on August 8, 1835 in Austin Colony. This famous “first Texas flag” has a black cannon and the words “Come and Take It.”
Why Visit Gonzales
Now that you know the large amount of Texas history that happened in and near Gonzales Texas, you can see why it is such a big part of our Texas story and why it is a great place to visit whether you are a Texan or not.
Beyond History there is surprisingly so much to do in this small town.
What to do in Gonzales Texas
- Visit the Jail Museum
- Visit the largest private collection of guns in the US (includes lots of military memorabilia)
- Visit the Memorial Museum
- Visit the many shops
- Go antique hunting
- Go dancing (Check out the Long Branch Saloon)
- Stay at the historic Hotel Alcalde
- Go see the original Cannon at the Memorial Museum
- Go on a driving or walking home tour
- Eat BBQ (Check out the Come and Take It Bar)
- Visit the old Lynn Theater (It still shows new movies!)
