San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site facts for kids
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San Jacinto Battlefield
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UAV view of the San Jacinto Battlefield site and Texas Monument
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| Location | Harris County, Texas |
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| Nearest city | Houston |
| Area | 1,200 acres (490 ha) |
| Built | 1836 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000815 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site is a very important place in Texas history. It's where the famous Battle of San Jacinto happened. This battle was a key moment in the Texas Revolution. The site also includes a special museum ship, the USS Texas.
You can find this historic site near the city of Houston in Harris County, Texas. It's located right off the Houston Ship Channel. Because of its importance, the site was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
A huge and impressive structure at the park is the San Jacinto Monument. Visitors can ride an elevator to the top of the monument. From there, you get an amazing view of Houston, the busy Houston Ship Channel, and the historic USS Texas battleship.
Contents
The Story of San Jacinto Battleground
How the Park Began
The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site started to take shape in the 1880s. The State of Texas bought ten acres of land along Buffalo Bayou. This was to get ready for the 50th anniversary of the Texas Revolution.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) worked hard to get more money for San Jacinto. In 1897, a Texas State Senator named Waller Thomas Burns helped pass a law. This law provided $10,000 to create a public park. This money was used to buy 336 more acres of land at San Jacinto.
Becoming an Official State Park
In 1907, the state gave another $25,000 for improvements. They officially named it San Jacinto State Park. This made it the very first official state park in Texas! A local group chosen by the governor managed the park. They reported to the State Board of Control. More improvements were made before the 1928 Democratic National Convention in Houston.
San Jacinto Museum of History
What Can You See at the Museum?
The San Jacinto Museum of History is located inside the base of the San Jacinto Monument. This museum tells the story of the Battle of San Jacinto. It also explores the rich history of Texan culture.
You can learn about Mayan, Spanish, and Mexican influences. The museum also covers the Texas Revolution and the time when Texas was its own country, the Republic of Texas. You'll also discover important people from Texas history.
Watch the Movie: Texas Forever!!
Inside the museum, there's a 160-seat theater called the Jesse H. Jones Theatre for Texas Studies. Here, you can watch a 35-minute movie. It's called Texas Forever!! The Battle of San Jacinto. It's a great way to learn about the battle.
Battleship Texas: A Floating Museum
Saving a Historic Ship
On April 17, 1947, the Texas Legislature created the Battleship Texas Commission. Their job was to take care of the ship. Their first big task was to raise $225,000. This money was needed to tow the ship all the way from Baltimore to San Jacinto.
The Journey to San Jacinto
On March 17, 1948, the Texas began its journey. It sailed to its new home along the busy Houston Ship Channel. It arrived near the San Jacinto Monument on April 20. The very next day, it was given to the State of Texas. It became a permanent memorial.
The ship's name was removed from the official Naval Vessel Register on April 30, 1948. The date April 21 is very important. It's the same date as the decisive 1836 Battle of San Jacinto. That battle ended the Texas Revolution and led to the creation of the Republic of Texas. Texas later joined the U.S. as a state in 1845.
First Battleship Museum
The Texas was the first battleship to become a museum in the United States. When the battleship was given to Texas, it was made the flagship of the Texas Navy. This means it was the most important ship in their fleet.
Images for kids
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Museum Battleship USS Texas (BB-35)
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Texas and the monument at sunrise in late 2007.
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6' Armillary Sphere at the San Jacinto Battle Field
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Granite Marker where Houston's horse was killed an he was wounded
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Replicas of the Twin Sisters cannons
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San Jacinto Monument
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San Jacinto Monument from water's edge of the Baytown Nature Center
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History of the Creation of San Jacinto Battle Ground Park
