Texas’ Republic-era past took center stage when the Texas Historical Commission (THC) acquired state historic sites transferred from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) September 1, 2019. Agency officials celebrated the new sites as a prominent way to educate residents and visitors about the Lone Star State’s mid-1800s heritage. The sites included San Jacinto Monument and Battleground in La THC CHAIRMAN JOHN L. NAU, III ON HISTORIC SITES Porte, Washington-on-the-Brazos,

The past two years have been of our sites safely open. The positive We know one thing for certain about unique in the history of the Texas impact of providing stable services 2021—as Texas returns to normal, Historical Commission (THC) and and outdoor attractions to host historic places will continue to drive the Historic Sites Division—from communities during the crisis cannot visitation and economic activity the unprecedented opportunities and be underestimated. Nor can we across the Lone Star State. They are obstacles we faced, to the remarkable underestimate the very real economic among the most popular destinations contributions we made to the benefits the THC’s state historic in the state, attracting more than Texas economy during these sites provide their communities, 10% of Texas travelers who spend challenging times. In 2019, the THC along with other statewide economic 20% more on average than welcomed six state historic sites development initiatives the THC other visitors. transferred by the Texas Legislature manages. Heritage travelers are from our partners at the Texas Parks attracted to historic sites, and in These places have faced innumerable and Wildlife Department (TPWD), 2019 heritage travelers contributed crises over the years and continue to and last year we welcomed the Star of $8.3 billion to the state’s economy, endure, just as Texas and our nation of the Republic Museum and the supporting jobs for as many as have endured. They prevail, because Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight 72,000 Texans. generations of Texans value this Ranch State Historic Site. history and cherish the places and One of our flagship sites, the National stories of the great Lone Star State. In 2019, we also re-opened two Museum of the Pacific War, generates By working together, we can ensure important historic sites impacted by almost $20 million in local impact. that these sites continue to be major natural disasters. Caddo Mounds Our historic sites located throughout contributors to local and regional State Historic Site in Alto was the state provide an economic boost travel economies. struck by a tornado that destroyed to the small towns and regions where the visitors center and grass house, they are located, like Sabine Pass in With the support of the Texas injuring many, and killing one Port Arthur, Fort Griffin in Albany, Legislature and our state’s elected person. Work immediately began to and the most recognizable attraction leaders, our historic sites will continue clear debris, salvage exhibit items, in Port Isabel—the lighthouse. to serve as economic engines for our Barrington Plantation, and The and open a temporary visitors center. great state. Star of the Republic Museum in Today staff works closely with Caddo Our sites attracted nearly 850,000 Washington, Port Isabel Lighthouse We hope the following pages will tribe members to rebuild and preserve visitors this past biennium, with in Port Isabel, Kreische Brewery and inspire you to join us in our efforts the stories of what was lost on that nearly 160,000 visitors already in Monument Hill in La Grange, and to preserve these Texas treasures for terrible day. We also re-opened the fiscal year 2021 despite the pandemic. Fanthorp Inn in Anderson. future generations to experience Fulton Mansion State Historic Site Boosting our site attendance during this troubled time was the agency’s and enjoy. The THC also welcomed the Charles in Rockport in December. Federal and Mary Ann Goodnight Ranch FEMA funds and private donations unprecedented virtual outreach effort that enabled even non-visitors to stay State Historic Site on June 1, 2020. from across the community and These properties added a wealth state ensured the site’s recovery connected with historic sites. This agency-wide effort continues today of talent, broadened the agency’s from Hurricane Harvey, and we are interpretive focus on Texas history, profoundly grateful for the support. and reached more than 4 million people in 2020, generating record and raised public interest in the After the pandemic's arrival last web traffic and improving the sites’ THC’s historic sites system. winter, when many travel attractions already-impressive social and destinations closed across the media footprint. nation, we were able to keep most

2 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC HEIGHTS | 2021 STATE HISTORIC SITES UPDATE 3 SAN JACINTO BARRINGTON BATTLEGROUND PLANTATION This State Historic Site is one of the The well-preserved 1845 farmhouse most significant historic sites in Texas. of Texas President Anson Jones The Texian victory at San Jacinto features a collection of typical gave rise to the Republic and State of furnishings from the Republic era Texas. Texas celebrated the centennial and an ingenious breeze-capturing of this victory with the opening of the porch design. Replica buildings based San Jacinto Memorial Monument in on Jones' original home site include 1939. The THC partners with two cabins representing enslaved the San Jacinto Museum of workers' quarters. The site provides History Association to build site opportunities for immersive living operation and develop a stronger, history experiences for the more-robust business enterprise and visiting public. world-class destination. Barrington Plantation San Jacinto Battleround is located in the is located in the Texas Independence Trail Region. Texas Independence Trail Region. visitbarringtonplantation.com visitsanjacinto.com

WASHINGTON- ON-THE-BRAZOS FANTHORP INN Most notable as the site of the Built in 1834 by English immigrant creation of the Republic of Texas, the Henry Fanthorp, this historic historic townsite of Washington was structure hosted Sam Houston, the seat of the Convention of 1836 Robert E. Lee and Zachary Taylor that declared independence from during the pre-Civil War era. It Mexico and framed a constitution to remains a charming historic building govern the new nation. Washington with solid timber craftsmanship also served the Republic as the and furnished rooms offering a national capital from 1842 to 1845. glimpse into life on the Texas Washington-on-the-Brazos has a frontier 170 years ago. The inn is strong strategic partnership with part of Washington-on-the-Brazos’ Texas A&M University and Blinn operations, management, College. A draft business plan will and staffing. strengthen site operations and align it to better serve the public. Fanthorp Inn is located in the Texas Brazos Trail Region. Washington-on-the-Brazos is located in the visitfanthorpinn.com Texas Independence Trail Region. visitwashtingtononthebrazos.com

4 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC HEIGHTS | 2021 STATE HISTORIC SITES UPDATE 5 KREISCHE BREWERY AND MONUMENT HILL THE STAR OF THE These sites in La Grange are now REPUBLIC MUSEUM advertised as two properties to highlight each unique history. THC The star-shaped facility showcases the partnered with TPWD to reroof the history and culture of the Republic of Kreische House. An architectural Texas’ area inhabitants from Native team assessed the brewery ruins, and American tribes to settlers of the plans are in development to restore 1800s. A capital improvement project and improve access to them. Security funded by the legislature will address upgrades will soon provide improved all the facilities on site to present oversight of the monument. Twisted a compelling and understandable X Brewing Company in Dripping interpretation of Texas history from Springs formulated Kreische Bluff colonization through the Republic era Bock beer, which they believe is close and into statehood. to the original beer brewed on site Star of the Republic Museum after a study of organic remains and is located in the Texas Independence Trail Region. native yeasts from the brewery’s ruins. visitstaroftherepublic.com Kreische Brewery and Moument Hill is located in the Texas Independence Trail Region. visitkreischebrewery.com visitmonumenthill.com

CHARLES AND MARY ANN GOODNIGHT RANCH PORT ISABEL The Charles and Mary Ann LIGHTHOUSE Goodnight Ranch includes the 1880s A new operating agreement is in ranch house and the J. Evetts Haley place with the City of Port Isabel. The Visitor and Education Center, which THC’s Historic Sites Division staff offers exhibits about the Goodnights, has coordinated with city staff on the southern plains bison, and settlement site’s maintenance and interpretive of the area. The Goodnight home is needs. They are also addressing restored on its original site. A Quanah outstanding maintenance issues. Parker Trail giant arrow marker on Efforts are underway to work with the grounds serves to commemorate the city to raise funds for a lighthouse the friendship between Charles lens reproduction. Also, THC staff Goodnight and Quanah Parker, last members are working to coordinate LIPANTITLAN chief of the Comanche. Permanent signage, marketing, branding and Located near Lake Corpus Christi wayfinding signage and billboards training with onsite staff. State Park, this five-acre property has have been updated to guide visitors to Port Isabel Lighthouse been surveyed, and a maintenance the site. is located in the Texas Tropical Trail Region. contract is in place to care for the Goodnight Ranch visitportisabellighthouse.com property. Staff will be assessing the is located in the Texas Plains Trail Region. property to determine next steps. visitgoodnightranch.com Lipantitlan is located in the Texas Tropical Trail Region. visitlipantitlan.com

6 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC HEIGHTS | 2021 STATE HISTORIC SITES UPDATE 7 CADDO DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

MOUNDS To address online programming • Entrepreneurial Texas Seven sites have TEKS-tied TORNADO needs, the following K-12 educational • World War II and The curriculum posted on their websites virtual field trip initiatives have been World It Made and THC Education Resources developed utilizing the historic sites. page. All curriculum sets have been The agency-wide History at Home designed to contain activities and April 13, 2019, should have been a • Indigenous Texas and initiative supported online learning materials to be used for distance day of celebration at Caddo Mounds. European Exploration during the pandemic, providing fun learning as well as on-site. Additional Site staff and local volunteers had • Texas Revolution at-home learning activities, lesson site curriculums are in development. worked hard to prepare for the annual plans and craft ideas all pertaining to Caddo Culture Day celebration that • Republic of Texas state historic sites. welcomes members of the Caddo • The Civil War and Reconstruction Nation and other visitors to learn and appreciate Caddo culture. Instead, the festive event turned into a tragedy. A devastating EF3 tornado hit the site, killing one visitor and injuring dozens, some severely. Many attendees and staff required medical attention, with some transported to hospitals by helicopter. Among the injured were many members of the Caddo Nation, descendants of the same Caddo who constructed the namesake features of the site 900 years ago. In addition to inflicting death, injury, and trauma, the tornado destroyed the site's visitor center and unique grass house, which was built in accordance with Caddo tradition by tribe members and volunteers in 2016. Today, Caddo Mounds staff members are working closely with Caddo tribe representatives to determine what can be rebuilt and preserve the ONLINE EDUCATION OUTREACH RESULTS stories of what was lost. A temporary The Historic Sites Division’s Battle of San Jacinto. The video was and online education events. Several visitor center opened, and Richter educational outreach materials are viewed over 100,000 times and was of our state historic sites have hosted Architects from Corpus Christi was promoted online through the agency’s shared on the THC’s and the Alamo’s educational webinars with lessons hired to design a new visitor center. digital marketing channels. More social media channels. unique to the history at their sites. Caddo Mounds staff extend their than 250,000 people follow 56 sincerest gratitude to the City of Alto, social media accounts representing In the past year, educational blog A planned 2020 San Jacinto Day Cherokee County, Caddo Nation, site the agency and participating state posts have been viewed over 80,000 event was not possible due to employees, and volunteers. Without historic sites. Since January 2020, times. Our Learning Resources portal pandemic conditions. Instead, the their perseverance and dedication, educational posts on social media has more than 5,000 pageviews. The THC, the Alamo, and Presidio recovery would not be possible. reached 40 million people. Nearly Texas History at Home educational La Bahia partnered to craft an Caddo Mounds 400 educational videos have been activities pages have been viewed over online broadcast,“San Jacinto Day, is located in the Texas Forest Trail Region. published and viewed over 2.3 7,000 times since launching Texas Remembers.” The program visitcaddomounds.com million times. in March. livestreamed on San Jacinto Day and included several Texas Revolution On April 21, the THC partnered The agency uses email marketing sites, reaching more than 130,000 with the Alamo Trust to co-host an outreach to notify more than 177,000 viewers statewide. educational video discussing the email subscribers of upcoming news

8 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC HEIGHTS | 2021 STATE HISTORIC SITES UPDATE 9 COLLECTIONS ACQUISITION AND ACTIVITY

THC’s Curatorial Facility for Artifact transfer of sites from TPWD Staff at CFAR are now working to Research (CFAR) has received several that deepen our understanding of stabilize and conserve the collection. objects and archival resources with the Texas history.

18TH-CENTURY SPANISH FIREARMS These Spanish firearms were (marked 1796) have Spanish miquelet acquired in 2018 and conserved at flintlocks and are typical of the items Texas A&M’s that would have been used by the Conservation soldiers at Mission Dolores. The rifle Research Lab and the pistols both are enhanced FULTON in 2019 for the by skillfully engraved and cut silver Mission Dolores applied decorations. The firearms will MANSION State Historic Site collection. Both be incorporated into the new exhibit the pistols and the short escopeda at the upgraded visitor center. REOPENING

The catastrophic destruction AMBROTYPE CASED- 1776 TWO-REAL COIN Hurricane Harvey left in Rockport- PHOTO OF A. E. BAKER FROM SAN FELIPE Fulton in August 2017 was devastating (DONATED BY DE AUSTIN for all the people who called this place CHARLOTTE DUKE AND (EXCAVATED 2019) home. The THC’s Fulton Mansion FAMILY, 2019) suffered significant damage, but re- A two-real coin dating opened to the public on Dec. 14, 2019 to 1776 was discovered after a two-year restoration project. during on-site archeological activity at Port Isabel Lighthouse San Felipe de Austin. is located in the Bearing the image of Texas Tropical Trail Region. Charles III and a mint visitportisabellighthouse.com mark indicating that it was produced in Mexico City, this coin was in good condition and is planned for use in the exhibit.

AMERICAN BREWING ASSOCIATION KEG SPIGOT Donated from family members This brass spigot for the American Brewing Company, descended from the “Old 300,” this was found during this spigot would have been used cased photograph is one of the few archeological to control the flow of liquid from a extant images of Amaziah Eugene investigations at tapped keg. This item was conserved Baker who ran a shop at San Felipe Kreische Brewery in following the legislative transfer of de Austin during the colonial period. the late 1970s and early Kreische Brewery and its collections His shop was burned in the 1980s. Manufactured in 2019. Texas Revolution during the Runaway Scrape.

10 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC HEIGHTS | 2021 STATE HISTORIC SITES UPDATE 11 The French Legation The French Legation has been restored and re-opened in February 2021. An Updates from expansion and enhancement of the visitor center provides additional space to serve the site’s business needs around the state and offer public amenities. The construction of an addition to Levi Jordan’s Learning Center is The THC is planning an improved the 1974 Carriage House was funded in the first stages of construction visitor center with museum galleries through grants received from the in preparation for a 2021 public and enhanced site interpretation that City of Austin. The Legation house opening. The project includes an will fully capture the site’s potential. was originally constructed in 1841 archeological lab with a visitor center as a French diplomatic outpost in (utilizing existing bond funds), and The Historic Sites Division is working the Republic of Texas. The property the preservation/restoration of the with Richter Architects and Gallagher became a private home after Texas’ main plantation house. & Associates, two highly-respected annexation to the United States firms with international portfolios, and played an important role in the The Levi Jordan Plantation site to design the buildings and exhibits development of East Austin. and the story it tells are worthy of for the site. An academic advisory substantially larger development. committee is assisting the agency as The historic structure, landscape, The site speaks to the significant role it designs the larger visitors center, and new visitors center provide a African Americans played in Texas’ museum, and exhibits to address the cultural destination where people economic and cultural growth. rich heritage of African Americans from the surrounding neighborhoods in Texas. can gather. Outdoor interpretive panels explore the development of the French Legation property and the site’s role in the development of San Felipe de Austin Based on site-specific East Austin. The historic Legation State Historic Site’s archival and archeological building will feature changing The Villa de Austin evidence and historic local exhibitions and programs townsite evocation is a precedent, the THC’s in collaboration with new addition to the site, architects developed plans community partners. complementing the visitor for several log and frame center's exhibits that tell the structures that represent the story of this pre-1836 village appearance of a San Felipe Fort McKavett received new period- of new roofs and had been identified through artifacts, facsimile de Austin town block appropriate wood shingle roofs at for replacement by the site manager documents, films and circa 1830. interactive technology. five of the historic structures: the as part of ongoing prioritized schoolhouse, officers’ quarters 6, 8 maintenance and repair. The project and 12, and the old fort headquarters. was completed on schedule and All of these buildings were in need on budget.

The National Museum of the Pacific War’s updated Admiral Nimitz Gallery opened to the public February 21, 2020. The gallery was reconfigured and completely redesigned. Mission Dolores’ visitor center USA Today ranked the National structural repair and remodeling Museum of the Pacific War fifth on are complete. The exhibit design its list of top 10 history museums is underway based on a completed in the nation. The museum is now a master plan and will focus on the Smithsonian Affiliation organization Spanish mission system, mercantile and is accredited by the American trade between the Spanish and Alliance of Museums, after THC French, relationships with the Caddo partnered with the Admiral Nimitz tribe, and the importance of El Foundation to gain this recognition. Camino Real de los Tejas in the early development of Texas.

12 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC HEIGHTS | 2021 STATE HISTORIC SITES UPDATE 13 1 Acton 15 Kreische Brewery 22 National Museum of the Pacific War 2 Barrington Plantation 16 Landmark Inn 23 Port Isabel Lighthouse 3 Caddo Mounds 17 Levi Jordan Plantation 24 Sabine Pass Battleground 4 Casa Navarro 18 Lipantitlan 25 Sam Bell Maxey 5 Confederate Reunion Grounds 19 MagoŽn Home 26 Sam Rayburn House 6 Eisenhower Birthplace 20 Mission Dolores 27 San Felipe de Austin 7 Fannin Battleground 21 Monument HIll 28 San Jacinto Battleground and Monument 8 Fanthorp Inn 29 Star of the Republic Museum COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS 9 Fort GriŽn 30 Starr Family Home 10 Fort Lancaster 31 Varner-Hogg Plantation 11 Fort McKavett 32 Washington-on-the-Brazos There are 16 active Friends four are fiscally sponsored under funding support for maintenance and 12 French Legation groups that provide operational, the Friends of the Texas Historical restoration projects, and docent and 14 13 Fulton Mansion promotional, and programming Commission. In the last biennium, volunteer activities. Friends group support through their volunteer Friends Group organizations members also are instrumental in 14 Goodnight Ranch boards and general membership. supported projects such as living promoting historic sites to their Twelve of those groups operate as history and military history re- local community leaders and private nonprofit organizations, while enactment programs, holiday events, elected officials. 6 26 25 CURRENT ACTIVE HISTORIC SITES FRIENDS GROUPS 9 • Casa Magoffin Compañeros • Friends of Fort McKavett • Friends of San Felipe de Austin 30 • Fort Lancaster Company • Friends of Fulton Mansion • Friends of Starr Family Home 1 • Friends of Caddo Mounds • Friends of Kreische Brewery- • Varner-Hogg Volunteers 19 • Friends of Casa Navarro Monument Hill • Washington-on-the-Brazos 3 5 20 • Friends of the Confederate • Friends of Landmark Inn Historical Foundation Reunion Grounds • Friends of Mission Dolores • Friends of Fort Griffin • Friends of Sam Bell Maxey House 10 11 8 22 12 2 24 29 21 27 28 16 4 32 15 17 7 31

18 13 Telli the story of Texs 23 SITE AND FACILITY ASSESSMENT throuh the es

The THC architectural team has Kreische Brewery ruins stabilization This significantly increases the overall assessed the needs at each property. and accessibility, San Jacinto cost for the properties within the The deferred maintenance costs at restoration, San Jacinto Monument network, which is estimated to be PREHISTORY COLONIAL TEXAS EARLY CIVIL WAR FRONTIER RECONSTRUCTION 20TH the transferred sites are estimated at Museum system upgrades and repairs, $92.8 million. TEXAS REVOLUTION STATEHOOD AND PROSPERITY CENTURY over $60 million. This includes the and several other smaller projects.

14 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC HEIGHTS | 2021 STATE HISTORIC SITES UPDATE 15 PRESORTED STANDARD P.O. Box 12276 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Austin, Texas 78711-2276 AUSTIN, TX 512-463-6100 PERMIT NO. 1938 thc.texas.gov

Major capital projects completed or under development to date to enhance the visitor experience Totals below include privately raised funds and other state appropriations.

San Felipe de Austin, $2,252,995 Visitor Center/Restorations/Exhibits Villa de Austin (townsite exhibit) French Legation $2,573,605 San Felipe de Austin $14,000 Washington-on-the-Brazos, (changing exhibits) Star of the Republic Museum $7,600,000 San Jacinto Battleground $10,000 Landmark Inn $16,000 Visitor Centers and Exhibits Fulton Mansion $25,000 Mission Dolores $860,770 Caddo Mounds $355,709 (temporary quarters) Historic Restorations Fulton Mansion $850,000 Levi Jordan Plantation $2,400,000 Learning Center Complex Levi Jordan Plantation House (porch) $90,000 Caddo Mounds $2,000,000 Star Family Home (interior) $201,100 Sam Bell Maxey (interior) $75,000 Exhibits Fort McKavett $200,000 Mission Dolores $438,500 Forts Ruin stabilization $185,000 National Museum $1,574,619 Casa Navarro (roof) $120,000 of the Pacific War Magoffin Home $390,000 Fort McKavett $58,700 Landmark Inn (dam) $750,000 Eisenhower Birthplace $176,576 Visit us at texashistoricsites.com and on social media.