Monuments are a way of commemorating the history of a place for future generations. There are several monuments in the state of Texas, which is appropriate, because the state has an extensive and very colorful history. The most famous monuments in Texas commemorate lost heroes and major American wars. There are also a tribute to the women, children, and firefighters of Texas. The state has many monuments to see on your trip.
San Jacinto Battleground State Monument
San Jacinto, Texas is the home of the largest monument in Texas. It is actually the largest monument in the World at 570 feet tall. According to the San Jacinto Museum of History, this monument is 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. The San Jacinto Monument commemorates the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. It turned the tide of the Texas Revolution and led the way toward the state’s independence from Mexico. It is a column with a large star at the top of it.
San Jacinto Monument
One Monument Circle
LaPorte, Texas 77571
(281) 479-2421
Texas State Civil War Monument
Located in Galveston and Anthony, as well as several states across the south, the monument commemorates the role of Texas soldiers during the Civil War. The monuments were a part of a War Centennial Program in the 1960’s, according to the Texas Historical Commission. The monuments are made of pink granite that is native to Texas.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
The only national monument in Texas is the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. It is under the protection of the National Park Service (NPS). The quarries were a means of gathering flint for more than a thousand years, according to NPS. The colorful flint found in the quarries, alibates flint, was use for trade and weaponry.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
P.O. Box 1460
Fritch, Texas 79036
(806) 857-3151
Texas State Capitol
The Austin, Texas capitol building is very old, but not a monument. The capitol is, however, the location of 17 of the most famous monuments within the state of Texas. The Texas State Preservation Board describes the grounds as 22 acres of monuments and symbols of Texan history. The monuments include “The Heroes of the Alamo”, “Confederate Soldiers”, and “Terry’s Texas Rangers”. There’s also a “Statue of Liberty Replica”, “Texas Pioneer Woman” and a monument to Pearl Harbor. Guided tours are available, along with pamphlets that allow you to take a tour of your own.
Texas State Capitol
201 E. 14th St.
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 463-5495