Making history come alive!  

After studying about our state’s history and government (usually in early middle school – see Raising Scholars: Establishing Roots), we embark on a trip around the state.  Texas has a rich early history with Native American settlements, Spanish missions, immigration of the Americans, the War for Texas Independence, nine years as an independent nation “The Republic of Texas,” and the Mexican-American war which led to not only Texas but also all the western territory becoming part of the United States. 

Historical Sites to See

We try to go in chronological order, especially as it relates to the War for Independence, following the footsteps of those fierce Texans determined to be free from Mexico.  We visit —

    • the early Spanish missions in San Antonio, 
    • Fort Goliad, one of the early forts established to protect defend early settlers in Texas,
    • San Felipe de Austin, the site of the first American settlement in Texas,
    • the “Come and Get It” cannon in Gonzalez which started the War for Independence,
    • the Alamo where the greatly-outnumbered Texans were obliterated by Santa Anna’s army,
    • the site of the Runaway Scrape and the massacre of Fannin’s troops,
    • the Battle of San Jacinto Monument and battlefield which resulted in the unequivocal victory in the War for Independence; and 
    • Washington-on-the-Brazos, the first capital town of the Republic of Texas, including Independence Hall.  

We end our Texas History Tour, either at the end of this road trip or on a separate weekend, visiting the capital of Texas at Austin, including

    • the Texas Capitol Building,
    • the Governor’s Mansion, and
    • the State Cemetery. 

Though we did not do it (most was incorporated into our Midwest-Pioneer Tour and other travels), one could also follow the Chisholm Trail, walk the famous Fort Worth Stockyards, camp and hike Palo-Duro Canyon and Fort Davis mountains in west Texas, see Spindletop where the oil boom began in Texas, tour the Battleship Texas, learn about the devastating hurricane that wiped out the prosperous city of Galveston, and swim the beaches of South Padre Island. 

HERE is the itinerary we used for our Texas History Tour.  

Lodging & Camping

We like to camp and Texas has many campgrounds.  We stay in hotels with full breakfasts (we like Comfort Inns and Suites because of the breakfasts) when in the city, but camp when we can. Goliad State Park and Stephen F. Austin State Park are favorites on this trip. When the weather is nice, it is so peaceful waking up in nature, hearing the birds, and watching the sunrise.   

Packing

Since this tour was local and less than two (2) weeks, packing was fairly straightforward using the items on the general packing list for a “multi-experience” trip found HERE.   

Historical tours for ANY state!

Though our home state is Texas,
each state will have its own special historical places to visit,
and you can put together a tour of historical places in your state!   

Get some interesting books about your state, order your state’s guidebook, do an internet search of “best historical places in (your state),” talk to people at your state’s Visitor Center, and keep notes about interesting places you want to see.  String them together into a tour that works for you, combining other fun adventures like picnicking and camping.

Pick a time when the weather will be nice and crowds low,
and start your adventure!