The Texas Rangers are known as the oldest law-enforcement agency in North America with statewide jurisdiction. They’ve been compared to other world-famous agencies such as the FBI, Scotland Yard, Interpol, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. As an important part of Old West history and its mythology, scores of books have been written about the … Read more
Note: If a cabinet position was held by more than one person duringany administration, only the first to hold that position is identified. David Burnet (Ad Interim Government)(March 1836-October 1836)Vice-President: Lorenzo de ZavalaSecretary of State: Samuel Price CarsonSecretary of War: Thomas J. RuskSecretary of Treasury: Bailey HardemanAttorney General: David Thomas Sam Houston (1st Administration)(October 1836-December 1838)Vice-President: Mirabeau B. … Read more
A chain of five missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century became the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America. Built primarily to expand Spanish New World influence northward from Mexico, the missions also served to introduce native inhabitants into Spanish society. Four of the missions (San Jose, San Juan, … Read more
Military Plaza in San Antonio dates back to the eighteenth century as a military and commercial center in San Antonio. Long before the Texas Revolution, Spanish troops marched in the plaza. After statehood, the site became a popular gathering place for medicine shows, entertainment, flea markets, and other town events. In 1876 — about the … Read more
The flags used during the Texas Revolution represented the diverse beliefs of the settlers of the period. In a few designs, the flag signified the desire for reconciliation with Mexico and a return to government based on the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Most of the flags, however, represented the Texan’s desire for total independence from … Read more
As if actual events in early Texas history didn’t provide ample material for thrilling tales, there have been a number of fictional characters from Texas portrayed in dime novels, comic strips, radio, television, and just about every other media imaginable. Among the best known of these fictional (or semi-fictional) characters are The Lone Ranger and … Read more
At the site of an Indian village named Santa Dorota, a Spanish mission and presidio were first established at present-day Goliad in 1749. Known as La Bahia in the early 1800s, the town was renamed Goliad in 1829. After the Battle of Gonzales, the presidio at Goliad was captured in 1835 by the Texans under … Read more
Galveston Island on the Gulf coast of Texas was occupied by Karankawa Indians when it was first discovered by Europeans. It was not until the nineteenth century, however, that the first settlement was established by Jean Laffite in 1817. It was not until the early 1830s that the first settlements were established at Galveston. During … Read more
The most western of all Texas towns, El Paso also claims to be one of the oldest. The city has grown out of several early settlements, the oldest of which was formed by Juan Maria Ponce de Leon in 1827. The California gold rush in 1849, as well as the cattle drives and general movement … Read more
Now renamed and incorporated as the town of West Columbia, Columbia of the days of the Republic of Texas was located between the Brazos and San Bernard rivers in west central Brazoria County. It was founded in 1826 by Josiah Hughes Bell, who laid out the town two miles west of Marion (now East Columbia). … Read more