APRIL 2012
Rest Stops Home of
New Exhibit
A
bout fifty miles from the San
Jacinto Battleground in
Chambers County, the Texas
Department of Transportation has
opened a pair of new rest areas on east
- and west-bound Interstate 10.
Ground was broken for these modern
rest stops in January of 2010 just east
of the Trinity River Bridge on sites
that formerly hosted truck weigh
stations. The San Jacinto Museum of
History has been asked to provide a
series of exhibits highlighting the
history of the region, and the first
display, presented when the rest stops
opened to the public on March 1st,
features historic photos, newspaper
articles and documents concerning the
nearby Houston Ship Channel.
Curator Elizabeth Appleby is
excited to be able to share information
with travelers about the land that they
are passing and
See “EXHIBIT” on page 2
San Jacinto Festival, Ceremony
Coincide
F
or the first time in five
years, three annual
events celebrating the
Battle of San Jacinto will occur
on one day: Saturday, April 21.
The state’s official recognition
of the 176th anniversary of the
Battle of San Jacinto will occur
at the Commemorative
Ceremony, which will take
Reenactors fire prepare to fire a cannon at the 2011 reenactment.
place on the terrace of the San
Jacinto Monument at 10:00 a.m.
the San Jacinto Volunteers, Texas Parks &
Participating in the event will be the
Wildlife Department, San Jacinto College,
Rolling Thunder with a cannon salute, the and Deer Park ISD, who help the San
Deer Park High School Orchestra under
Jacinto Museum of History coordinate this
the direction of Frank Woodruff, and the event.
Texas Army. More information will
The battle reenactment begins at 3 p.m.
be available at www.sanjacintoPresented by hundreds of members of the
museum.org as plans progress.
San Jacinto Volunteers and other living
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. and
history organizations from across the state,
running to 6:00 p.m., the San Jacinto the reenactment dramatically interprets the
Festival events will include
Runaway Scrape, the cannon duel, and the
entertaining and educational activities. final battle between the two forces.
A favorite activity is visiting the
General Sam Houston will be portrayed by
reenactors in the Mexican and Texian Jim Lynch.
camps to learn what the soldiers of
Plan to bring lawn chairs or blankets to
1836 were doing on the day of the
comfortably watch the reenactment.
battle. New to the festival this year, Because the Lynchburg Ferry is only
Solero Flamenco will perform
running one boat, the line to board the
flamenco dance. “This festival would not ferry will be long; plan to arrive by
be possible without our Presenting
Highway 225. Visitors should park at the
Sponsor H-E-B, as well as Dow Chemical first festival parking lot they come to and
Company, Vopak, the Pasadena
take the shuttle to the festival grounds;
Strawberry Festival, and LyondellBassell,” buses will stop at the farthest parking lots
says Larry Spasic, San Jacinto Museum of first, so those visitors will be the first to
History President. Thanks are also due to board.
hopes that the displays will encourage tourists to
visit San Jacinto and other area historic sites. “I am intrigued to learn that
these rest stops are built on land formerly owned by James Taylor White,
one of the first cattlemen in Texas. Anywhere you look in Texas, you find
history,” said Appleby. It was here that, during the days of the Anahuac
Disturbances, the rebels, including William B. Travis, first articulated some
of the ideas that would become central to Texas’ revolutionary movement
in the June 1832, Turtle Bayou Resolutions, including allegiance to the
Mexican constitution of 1824.
Each center has interactive exhibits, nature trails, picnic tables, jungle
gyms, free Internet access and many other amenities—including an oversize
model of the iconic San Jacinto Monument obelisk and star. The next time
you are traveling east of Houston on I-10, take the time to stretch your legs
and visit some history!
Continued from “EXHIBIT”, page 1
Would you like to receive the San Jacinto News electronically? If so,
send a message to [email protected] to state your
preference, and future editions will come to you by e-mail.
Annual Dinner Honors Mayor
A
s in years past, the San Jacinto Museum Dinner will be an
exceptional evening that commemorates the impact of the battle
that stands as one of the most significant victories in history.
Hilmar Moore will be recognized for his dedication and service to the
Richmond area and to the state of Texas. He is the longest serving mayor
in Texas history, with over 60 years of service to his community. The event
will take place on Wednesday, April 25, at the Houston Country Club;
advance reservations are required. Nancy and David
Randall are chairing the dinner.
Guest speaker will be Henry William Brands,
Dickson Allen Anderson Centennial Professor of
History at the University of Texas at Austin. His
books on American history and politics include
Andrew Jackson, The Age of Gold, and TR. Several of
his books have been bestsellers; two, Traitor to His
Class and The First American, were finalists for the
Pulitzer Prize. He can be seen and heard on national
and international television and radio programs.
San Jacinto Veteran:
Joseph Harlan
“M
arch 31, 1836. Started from the
company (who were retreating
from Milam) for the army, the
waters being high swam the creek & stayed at
Medaws[?] on the [symbol] Arrived at the army
on April 11th started to Harrisburg on the 15th got
there on the 19th, fought on the 21st. Marched off
in May left the army on furlough the 16th May.”
This excerpt from the diary of Joseph Harlan, now
in the hands of a descendant, places him on the
battlefield at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
Initially left of off the Honor Roll, Harlan was
added to the list of veterans of San Jacinto when a
review of additional names was concluded in 2011.
There are a few discrepancies in the facts
presented in his diary—the Republic Claims show
that he was in camp beyond May 16, and other
dates don’t align with the movements of the Texas
army. Prior to his discharge but after May 16,
Harlan acquired pay claims from several other
soldiers, which he later pursued. He did not claim
a Donation Certificate for service at San Jacinto.
Joseph Harlan was born February 18, 1796, in
South Carolina. When he was sixteen, he ran away
from home to fight in the War of 1812. He came
to Texas in early 1836 and joined Houston’s army;
he returned to South Carolina later that year to
settle his affairs and bring his family back to
Texas. In 1837 he took a headright in Robertson
County, a little south of what is now Calvert.
According to The 1840 Census of the Republic of
Texas, in 1840 he had five slaves, sixteen cattle,
and three work horses. He died July 12, 1844,
leaving a widow and several children.
Sponsors of the San Jacinto Texas Independence 5K Fun Run/Walk
Office Systems of Texas
Rotary Club of Pasadena
JSC Federal Credit Union
Joe V’s Smart Shop
Ozarka
DiPuma Printing Company
Frame-It
Shipley Do-Nuts
Ryan Spasic
Kwik Kopy
Vopak
Shell Federal Credit Union
Tregre & Associates D.D.S.
Congressman Gene Green
Larry Spasic
Texas Chiropractic College
Havard Welding Supply
Victory Properties, Inc.
Staples
Kryspix Images
APRIL 2012
SAN JACINTO NEWS
2
Kroger
Texas Outhouse
Monument Inn
Sapp Insurance Services
Deer Park EMS
Southern Komfort Kitchen
Spencer Animal Hospital
Salons of the Forest
Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors
Marco Avila/DJ 911
Today’s Heroes of San Jacinto
New and Renewing Members
Monument Society
Mr. George C. Hixon
Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Reckling, III
Mr. and Mrs. Eliot P. Tucker
Museum Circle
Hon. Frank W. Calhoun
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Dawson, Jr.
Hon. and Mrs. Gene Green
Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Hutcheson, Jr.
Mr. J. K. McAndrews
Mr. David Singleton
Independence Society
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry S. Brannen
Mr. and Mrs. William D. Noel
Mr. and Mrs. J. Dickson Rogers
Family Freedom Society
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Anderson, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Philip L. Cimo
Mr. and Mrs. John L. DeVault
Mr. and Mrs. Ben M. Durr
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Tapley
Reenactor Fred Muston and TPWD
safety monitor Beth Tragus before
Muston started the race
Annual Fun Run Off to a Good
Start
T
he first annual
San Jacinto
Texas
Independence 5K Fun
Run/Walk on March 3
brought people of all
ages out to traverse
the battleground. The
start of the race was
signaled by reenactor Fred Muston, who fired his long gun promptly at
7:30. Beginning at the base of the San Jacinto Monument, the race route
passed by the Battleship Texas, the Texian and Mexican Camps and
returned to make a circuit of the Monument. One hundred eighty-six
people registered for the event. The overall male winner was Roger
Wacker with a time of
19:59.0; the overall
female winner was Ann Wacker with a time of
22:46.1.
Sponsors of the event furnished water, fruit
and doughnuts to the runners and walkers;
other sponsors provided gift cards that were
given as door prizes to the participants. Marco
Avila/DJ 911 played music before the start to
energize the athletes. Volunteers came from
Deer Park High School, Kroger, and the Bell
family. Proceeds of the event will go towards
the San Jacinto Museum’s
educational programs. Mark
your calendar now for the
second annual San Jacinto
Texas Independence 5K Fun
Run/Walk on Saturday,
March 9, 2013.
Above: Museum President Larry Spasice and race
organizer Carolyn Campbell thank the Rotary Club of
Pasadena for their gift and sponsorship of the Fun Run.
Right: Participants enjoyed the day, which was
breezy and cool.
Above: At the head of the pack: Roger Wacker followed by
Sergio Luna, 1st and 2nd place winners.
Below: walkers also enjoyed the event. See more race photos
at www.sanjacfunrun2012.kryspiximages.com.
Rep. Ken Legler, Rep. Gene Green and Helen Green
supported the museum by participating in this event.
APRIL 2012
SAN JACINTO NEWS
3
New Collection On Exhibit in Lobby
San Jacinto
Museum of History
Board of Trustees 2012
Robert B. Hixon, Chair
Hon. Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr.
Sadie Gwin Blackburn
Nancy T. Burch
Hon. Frank W. Calhoun
Tom M. Davis, Jr.
Dr. J. Frank de la Teja
Verlinde Hill Doubleday
James B. Earthman, III
Dorothy Knox Howe Houghton
Susan Booth Keeton
Ann H. Kelsey
Chad Muir
Urban O’Brien
Townes Pressler, Jr.
James A. Reeder, Jr.
Arthur A. Seeligson
Hon. Mark White
CONTACT INFORMATION:
San Jacinto Museum
of History Association
One Monument Circle
La Porte (Houston), TX 77571-9585
Phone: 281/479-2421
Fax: 281/479-2428
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.sanjacinto-museum.org
The San Jacinto Museum of History
Association was chartered in 1938 to preserve
and revisualize the early history of Texas.
© 2012 San Jacinto Museum of History
T
he Spring lobby exhibit will feature a selection of documents from a new archival
acquisition—seventeen letters and one printed gazette—that were composed
between November 6, 1834 and February 6, 1836. The letters were written to the
successful Baltimore merchant William Dall by his friends, relatives and business associates.
The documents reveal Dall to be a successful entrepreneur who, through family and business
relationships, had a strong connection to Texas.
Close familial ties with Stephen Austin, as well as the wealth of opportunity presented in
the region may have encouraged Dall to travel to Mexico in 1834. While there, he was
caught up in the revolt of Zacatecas against Santa Anna
in early 1835. The letters reveal the anxiety of his
family over his situation during the political turmoil.
An August 3, 1835, letter from his nephew Charles
exclaims “God bless you! We were exceedingly happy
to hear of yr. safety from those bloodhounds at
Zacatecas, the infernal villains, how could they have
the audacity to threaten the lives of innocent
foreigners?”
When the exhibit opens in mid-April, guests can
come see these documents that convey a fascinating
narrative about one man’s tribulations while attempting
to prosper during a time of political and economic
uncertainty and grant the reader insight into the
complexities of doing business in a time of revolution.
Gifts to the Museum
The Gordon Cain Foundation
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
OxyVinyls
Rotary Club of Pasadena
San Jacinto Day Foundation
SAN JACINTO NEWS
APRIL 2012
4
San Jacinto Museum of History
Association
One Monument Circle
La Porte, TX 77571-9585
Return Service Requested
Also new to the collection is this image of the San
Jacinto Monument under construction, one of
several taken by Benjamin Gould Crofoot, the
construction concrete foreman. Gift of the
Benjamin Gould Crofoot Family.