San Jacinto Monument by Angela Ellis

The San Jacinto Monument is a National Historic Landmark not only in La Porte, Texas but the United States. The battle of San Jacinto won Texas its independence. The monument represents the victory over the Mexican forces. The San Jacinto Monument is in honor of those men and their bravery that day. Built in 1936, the monument is 570 feet tall and has a star on top of the monument that is 34 feet, and holds the record of being the tallest masonry structure in the world. The monument weights approximately 70,300,000 pounds. The cost of the monument estimated 1.5 million dollars, which was provided both by the Texas legislature and the United States Congress. W.S. Bellows Construction led the construction of the monument. Built mainly of reinforced concrete, Texas limestone lined the exterior. The design came from the famous architect Alfred C. Finn, engineer Robert J. Cummins, and Jesse H. Jones. Starting in 1936, it took 3 years to build the monument. When opened, the monument was run by the San Jacinto Museum of History Association, a nonprofit group. In 1966, the Texas Parks and Wildlife department was placed in control to take care and maintain the monument. The base floor of the monument is 15,000 square feet and has eight panels showing the history of Texas. At the top of the stairs, facing the star, one of the eight panels reads:

“Texas declared her independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos March 2. For nearly two months her armies met disaster and defeat: Dr. James Grant’s men were killed on the Agua Dulce March 2; William Barret Travis and his men sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6; William Ward was defeated at Refugio, March 14; Amon B. King’s men were executed near Refugio, March 16; and James Walker Fannin and his army were put to death near Goliad March 27, 1836.”

The giant bronze doors that lead into the museum show the six flags of Texas.

The San Jacinto monument should attract more tourists than it does today.

Many people do not think of the tolls of the war and forget about the people who fight and put their lives on the line for us. I wish the San Jacinto monument received more attention than the Alamo in San Antonio.It’s a symbol of Baytown because it represents the honor of those that fought for our freedom. 





Photo taken by Lauren Bracewell

The battle was fought on the borders of Baytown, Texas. On April 21, 1836, General Sam Houston and his decision to attack the Mexican forces while he had the advantage of the waist high grass land and a bridge his troops destroyed to prevent reinforcements. His decision to send Colonel Sidney Sherman’s Calvary through the hardwood tree line to flank the opposing forces secured Texas’s independence. While the Mexican army was taking an afternoon nap, Houston ordered the advance of his troops. The Mexican army had no idea what was happening until it was too late. During the confusing skirmish, the Mexican army was defeated. The Texans killed over 600 Mexican troops, and captured most of the rest. The next day, thanks to his own people, Santa Anna was captured and force to sign the treaty that recognized Texas’ independence.

Like the Alamo, the Texan army was outnumbered by the Mexican forces, but unlike the Alamo the battle tide turned here at San Jacinto. Yes many lives were lost in San Antonio and only nine Texans died at San Jacinto, but here at San Jacinto the war was won. The Alamo is known throughout the states for the famous phrase, “Remember the Alamo”, but what most people may not know is that it was the men fighting in San Jacinto that made that phrase famous. It was the men at San Jacinto that yelled “Remember the Alamo” from the top of their lungs as they attacked Santa Anna’s army. The battle at San Jacinto helped
Texas raise one of its six flags.

From Lee College I take 330 to 2100. I get on the ferry and ride it across. Once I get off the ferry I am on Independence Drive in La Porte Texas. I turn left into the monument. You can see the monument from the other side of the ferry. The Monument stands 570 feet tall. When I get to the monument I go up a bunch of stairs. Once I walk all the way to the top of the stairs there is writing on both sides of the door. I walk around to the left of the building where the entrance is located. I open the door and go into the monument. There are a couple desks inside. A man sitting in the corner behind the desk gives you information. There are elevators to the top floor. I can see the sight of the ship channel, the water down below the monument, and the battleground that is located across the road. The monument is a big part of our history. The monument holds the symbol for our community, sacrifice and honor.  It was the battle of San Jacinto that won Texas independence on April 21, 1936. If it wasn’t the soldiers winning our independence Texas would not be a state and we would not have our freedom. We lost many soldiers in the battle of San Jacinto but if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be a free state. Now the Texas Parks and Wildlife department take care and maintain the monument. Many people come out to the monument every year but many people take it for granted and forget the significance of the monument and what the soldiers went through to get our independence.

 

Works Cited:

Historical overview of: Battleship Texas BB-35. Texas Parks and Wildlife. 2010. Print

San Jacinto Battleground for Texas Independence. Print.

Interpretive guide to: San Jacinto Battleground. Texas Parks and Wildlife. 2010. Print