Historic Heights 2021
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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,