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San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park A Historical Synthesis and Archaeological Management Plan by I. Waynne Cox and Steve A. Tomka with contributions by Jennifer L. Logan and José E. Zapata Center for Archaeological Research The University of Texas at San Antonio Archaeological Survey Report, No. 318 2002 San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park: A Historical Synthesis and Archaeological Management Plan by I. Waynne Cox and Steve A. Tomka with contributions by Jennifer L. Logan and José E. Zapata Steve A. Tomka Principal Investigator published by Center for Archaeological Research The University of Texas at San Antonio Archaeological Survey Report, No. 318 ©copyright 2002 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio Abstract The San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park is located in Harris County, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of downtown Houston. The park is situated adjacent the San Jacinto River and about five miles (eight kilometers) northwest of where the river empties into Galveston Bay. The park is comprised of a little over 1,100 acres (445 hectares) that have been accumulated over the years, beginning in 1883. Management of the park has been in the hands of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 1965. The adoption of a new master plan and anticipated park development underscored the need to better understand the parks history and cultural resources. In early-2001, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department contracted The University of Texas at San Antonio, Center for Archaeological Research, to undertake a review and synthesis of the sites history. The work involved an archaeological resource evaluation of the park. In addition to developing a historical synthesis, this project was also designed to utilize the available historical documents, as well as interviews, to assess the probability that buried cultural resources are present throughout the park and to make recommendations as to the need for additional archaeological work, particularly prior to ground-disturbing activities. i Contents Abstract................................................................................................................................................................. i Figures ............................................................................................................................................................... iv Tables ............................................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1: Project Background by José E. Zapata Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Project Scope ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2: Environmental Setting by Jennifer L. Logan Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Environment .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Flora and Fauna............................................................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 3: Culture Historical Summary by Jennifer L. Logan Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Paleoindian Period ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Archaic Period ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Late Prehistoric Period................................................................................................................................ 14 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 15 Chapter 4: Previous Investigations by Jennifer L. Logan Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 17 1950s ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 1960s ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 1970s ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 1980s ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 1990s ........................................................................................................................................................... 21 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter 5: The Battle of San Jacinto Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 23 The Spanish and Mexican Period ............................................................................................................... 23 Austins Colony .......................................................................................................................................... 24 Growing Unrest ........................................................................................................................................... 25 The Revolution Begins ............................................................................................................................... 26 The Counter Offensive ................................................................................................................................ 27 The Runaway Scrape .................................................................................................................................. 27 The Battle .................................................................................................................................................... 29 The Aftermath ............................................................................................................................................. 33 Chapter 6: Development of the Region and Founding of the State Historical Park Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 34 Area Development ...................................................................................................................................... 34 San Jacinto Battleground Park .................................................................................................................... 35 The San Jacinto Monument ........................................................................................................................ 36 Chapter 7: Development Goals and the Management of Cultural Resources at San Jacinto State Historical Park Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 38 Impacts on the Historical Park and Its Cultural Resources......................................................................... 38 Anthropogenic and Natural Forces of Change............................................................................................ 39 Reconstructions of the Battlefield .............................................................................................................. 47 ii Chapter 8: Summary and Recommendations Discovering Prehistoric and Historic Properties ......................................................................................... 51 Project Management ................................................................................................................................... 51 Site Discovery ............................................................................................................................................. 52 Summary and Conclusions.......................................................................................................................... 57 References Cited ................................................................................................................................................ 60 iii Figures Figure 1. Location of San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park. ............................................................... 2 Figure 2. Immediate setting of the San Jacinto