EXPLORE

Gonzales' Famous History

Gonzales was established in 1825 on Kerr Creek, 2 1/2 miles east of the confluence of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers. It was the capital of Empresario Green DeWitt's Colony and was the westernmost Anglo settlement until the close of the Texas Revolution. The town was named in honor of Don Rafael Gonzales, provisional Governor of Coahuila, Mexico and Texas.

During the colonial period of 1825 to 1835 there were many problems with the Comanche and Tonkawa Indians. In 1831 the Mexican government sent to Gonzales a six-pound cannon as protection against the Indians. This cannon was used in the 'Come and Take It' Battle on Oct. 2, 1835, the first shot fired in the Texas Revolution. Later on, Travis sent out his plea for help at the Alamo, and 32 brave men from Gonzales were the only ones to answer his call. General Sam Houston, while in Gonzales, learned of the devastating defeat of the Alamo from Mrs. Almaron (Susannah) Dickinson, who, with her baby and two servants, were survivors of the siege. After learning of this event, General Houston gathered troops and began the evacuation and burning of the Town of Gonzales, which became known as 'The Runaway Scrape' a tragic and agonizing experience for grieving women who lost their husbands and sons in the Battle of the Alamo and the men who were unable to ride with their neighbors to defend the old fort.

Although the Runaway Scrape was a terrible experience of cold wind, freezing rain, mud, disease and illness, it gave Gen. Houston the time to muster troops and eventually take a stand at San Jacinto. where Santa Anna was quick defeated and Texas gained its freedom from Mexico. Afterward most families returned to Gonzales to rebuild their lives.

MUSEUM District

Gonzales County Old Jail -

Address: 414 St. Lawrence Street, Gonzales, Texas

Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Information: Old Jail Museum built in 1885. Architect Eugene T. Heiner designed the brick structure to hold 200 prisoners under riot conditions. Contractor Henry Kane and Snead & Company Iron Works contracted to build the jail of concrete and steel for $21,660.20. It housed, among other notorious persons, Gregorio Cortez and John Wesley Hardin. Closed as a jail in 1975

J.B. Wells House -

Address: 833 Mitchell Street, Gonzales, Texas

Contact the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce to arrange a tour.

Information: This wonderfully preserved house was built in 1885 by cattleman Thomas Newton Matthews. This Victorian style house is constructed of Florida longleaf pine shipped in by water to the old port of Indianola, Texas, and hauled to Gonzales by ox teams. It was quite modern for its time, with fire escapes, lightning rods and indoor plumbing. Double doors on the first and second floors have decorated glass in the top half of each door. The house was purchased by James Bailey Wells and on January 1, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Wells, their sixteen year old son, Charles, and their twelve year old daughter, Effie, moved to Gonzales from Leesville.

Gonzales Memorial Museum -

Address: 414 Smith Street, Gonzales, Texas

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Information: The Gonzales Memorial Museum is a Centennial Historical Memorial Museum that commemorates the Immortal 32 who died in the Alamo. The Come and Take It Cannon which fired the first shot for Texas Independence on October 2, 1835 is prominently displayed. Other exhibits inside the museum include period rifles, ammunition, uniforms, and more. Other objects and artifacts reflect early life in Gonzales, including vintage clothing, household goods, and archival photographs, and all help tell the story of this community, a pillar in the state’s historic march towards independence.

Pioneer Village -

Address: 2122 Business US HWY 183, Gonzales, Texas

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Information: The Gonzales Pioneer Village Living History Center, often referred to as “The Village,” houses a collection of 1800s and early 1900s era houses and buildings from Gonzales County. Visitors strolling through The Village often feel as if they have just stepped into the same era as that of the original occupants of these buildings and that the inhabitants have merely stepped out for a while.

Charles DuBose Rare Gun Collection -

Address: 301 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales, Texas

Hours: Monday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Closed on Sundays

Information: With over 700 rare and historic pieces on display, DuBose’s collection spans over 41 countries, featuring a range of unique pistols, rifles, and military artifacts. Some of the rare gems in the collection include the Belgian Paraguyan and the South African Mamba – both incredibly rare and coveted pieces with fascinating histories.

Edwards High School Community Center + African American Museum

Address: 1427 Fly Street, Gonzales, Texas

Tours are available to the public, please call to schedule in advance at (830) 263-1611.

Information: The Edwards Community Center is a multi-purpose facility located in Gonzales, Texas, that serves as a hub for community events and activities. The center was established by the Edwards Association, a local non-profit organization that works to promote social, cultural, and educational opportunities for the residents of Gonzales and the surrounding areas

Historic Homes

Gonzales, Texas, is steeped in history, and one of the most captivating ways to experience it is by touring the town’s beautiful historic homes. Ranging from quaint Victorian cottages to grand mansions from the early 1900s, each residence offers a distinct glimpse into the past, weaving together the broader story of Gonzales with the personal histories of the families who once called them home.

Visit Gonzales Historic Homes Association for more information!