VISITORS GUIDE: GONZALES COUNTY

DeWitt Colony

Gonzales was established in 1825 as the capital of Empresario Green DeWitt's colony. The town site was laid out around seven public squares that formed a cross, following traditional Spanish style. Courthouse Trade Days offering arts, crafts, antiques, and collectibles are still held on the Courthouse Square on the last Saturday of April, May and July and the first Saturday in December. "Gonzales Walking Tour" and "Gonzales Driving Tour" brochures are available from the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce located in the Old Jail Museum or print tour information off the web site: www.gonzalestexas.com.

Texas Revolution

In late September 1835, political unrest led Mexican officials at San Antonio de Bexar to demand the return of a cannon sent to Gonzales four years earlier for protection against Indian attacks. Eighteen Gonzales men stalled the Mexican troops until the early morning hours of Oct. 2, 1835. Then -- with reinforcements that had arrived during the delay -- they crossed the river with the cannon waving a flag emblazoned with the words "Come and Take It." The cannon was fired, a Mexican soldier was killed and the others broke rank and fled in terror. The Texas Revolution had begun. To learn more attend the annual "Come and Take It Celebration" that is held first full weekend in October includes a re-enactment at Pioneer Village. On March 2 (Texas Independence Day) Gonzales honors "The Immortal Thirty-Two" men from Gonzales who answered the call from Col. Travis at the Alamo. The event includes re-enactments, a memorial wreath and other events set throughout the day. Memorabilia from the founders of Gonzales plus the "Come and Take It" cannon can be seen at the Memorial Museum in Gonzales.

Day to day life during this period is depicted at Pioneer Village that includes nine restored buildings dating from the 1830's to 1892. Visitors can view broom making, butter churning, quilting, sausage stuffing, rope making and food preservation during the Fall Pioneer Village Festival. Also, sample open-fire cooking, watch a village blacksmith and listen to country music. The Pioneer Village Dutch Oven Cook-off is held during Springfest.

Ranching Heritage

After the Civil War, returning Confederate soldiers rounded up wild cattle and headed them "up the trail" through Gonzales to Kansas. Sometimes there were disputes regarding the ownership of these cattle and the Taylor-Sutton feud that began in DeWitt County spilled over into Gonzales County. Visit the Gonzales Jail Museum and ask about John Wesley Hardin. Don't miss the life size Longhorn weather vane bearing the T41 brand atop the Gonzales Fire Station..

Natural Attractions

A "Wildflower Tour" is available at the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce office and www.gonzalestexas.com. Palmetto State Park, 8 miles north of Gonzales is No. 29 on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. The park offers more than 250 species of birds, diverse wildlife and a quaking bog.

Other

1894 Courthouse designed by architect J. Riely Gordon ... Sam Houston Oak and Braches House, part of the "True Women" Tour, open on Courthouse Trade Day Saturdays ... Historic home tours in April and December features homes built by cattle barons and cotton kings ... ... Confederate Monument by Frank Teich in Confederate Square and Heroes Monument by Pompeo Coppini in Texas Heroes Square ... Indianola Trail Visitors Guide at the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce ... Antique and Specialty Shops ... Springfest (April) and Winterfest (Thanksgiving thru December) at Gonzales ... Featherfest at Nixon (Labor Day Weekend) ... Fiesta Guacamole Mash at Waelder (September) and the Gonzales County Records and Archive Center for historical and genealogical research.