Texas Independence Trail Region

The world’s tallest war memorial, 300-year-old forts and missions, and the birthplace of the great Republic of Texas. You’ll find all of these places in the Texas Independence Trail Region, a 28-county territory that extends from San Antonio to Galveston. Explore the region to follow in the footsteps of the legends of Texas history, such as Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, and Davy Crockett. Wander through battlefields, pay your respects at war memorials, and see for yourself where the great state of Texas began.

Most of the major events of the Texas Revolution occurred within the Texas Independence Trail Region. Experience the war chronologically where it all began: the town of Gonzalez. Here you’ll find the Gonzales Memorial Museum, home to the cannon that fired the first shots of the war and inspired the defiant phrase “Come and Take It.” Then head to Goliad to see the Presidio La Bahia, an 18th-century Spanish fort that was the site of the Battle of Goliad and – later in the war – the Goliad Massacre. Much of the fort has been restored to its previous glory, providing a glance at what it may have looked like during all the turmoil of the war. Living history presentations are held every March, and the presidio has various exhibits that are open year-round.

Your next step on your journey through Texas history takes you to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio, where both the Battle of Concepcion and the pivotal Battle of the Alamo took place. Then recreate the Runaway Scrape by journeying to Washington-on-the-Brazos, where the state’s first constitution was signed. Finally, travel to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, where Texas won her independence. Today, the site is home to a 570-foot-tall monument and a museum that tells the story of the revolution and the people who helped create the Republic of Texas.

Although there’s plenty of Texas history to immerse yourself in, there are many more things to see in the Texas Independence Trail Region. Some of the most spectacular 19th- and early 20th-century Texas courthouses can be found in towns such as La Grange, Columbus, New Braunfels, and Hallettsville. While you’re marveling at the architecture, spend some time browsing the many charming boutique shops that line each town square before stopping by a one-of-a-kind restaurant. Travel further and you’ll find stately Victorian mansions and antebellum plantations, beautiful painted churches, countless museums, and a multitude of state parks where you can get out and enjoy nature.

There are many exciting things to see and do in the Texas Independence Trail Region, yet the best treat of all may just be traveling from one destination to another. The region’s many highways and farm-to-market roads meander through rolling green hills blanketed in wildflowers and thickets of trees, providing some of the best scenic drives in Texas. Stop and snap a photo, take in the breathtaking view, and continue on to your next adventure in the Texas Independence Trail Region.

Want to the see the cradle of Texas Independence for yourself? Check out this Texas Independence Trail Region map to see the towns and highways within the area.