{"id":70714,"date":"2025-11-30T18:28:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T18:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/70714\/"},"modified":"2025-11-30T18:28:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T18:28:16","slug":"the-small-town-that-started-the-texas-revolution-is-a-perfect-destination-for-history-buffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/70714\/","title":{"rendered":"The Small Town That Started The Texas Revolution Is A Perfect Destination For History Buffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The shot heard around the world, well, at least in Texas, was fired in Gonzales, a 7,000-person town about 70 miles southeast of Austin. It was here that the now-famous phrase \u201cCome and Take It\u201d was born, coined in 1835 when Mexican forces attempted to retrieve a small cannon and residents refused to hand it over. The standoff ignited the first battle of the Texas Revolution, cementing Gonzales as a symbol of defiance and pride.<\/p>\n

That same spirit showed again just a year later when residents burned the town to the ground rather than let Santa Anna\u2019s advancing army occupy it. After rising from the ashes, Gonzales eased into a quieter chapter rooted in agriculture, Victorian homes, and a 19th-century historic district. Walk the downtown square and you\u2019ll find antique shops<\/a> brimming with passed-down treasures and shop owners eager to share a tale or two. Its beauty has even made it a filming location for several Western films.<\/p>\n

History buff or not, Gonzales offers a surprising amount to explore.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:What To DoDive into Days Past<\/p>\n

Start at the Romanesque Revival-style Gonzales County Courthouse, surrounded by weathered storefronts and intricate facades, and venture into nearby Jail Square (Independence Square), home to a Confederate monument, historic plaques, and the town\u2019s fire station. The Gonzales County Jail Museum<\/a>, a commanding three-story structure built of limestone and brick, sits just off the square.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:Snap Some Photos<\/p>\n

In Gonzales, nods to \u201cCome and Take It\u201d are everywhere, from the trash cans to street murals to a tiled piece in front of the Gonzales Municipal Building. See how many you can find and make a fun scavenger hunt out of it.<\/p>\n

Celebrate Texas History<\/p>\n

The Gonzales Memorial Museum<\/a> is the place where Texas history comes alive with several Texas Revolution artifacts, including the famed Come and Take It cannon, a pink Texas granite monument memorializing the 32 men who died during the Alamo, and pioneer-era photography. There is also a 500-seat open-air amphitheater and detailed Art Deco architecture.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:Catch a Flick<\/p>\n

Directly across from Jail Square is the Lynn Theater<\/a>, originally built in 1947 and refurbished in 2024. It has a distinct marquee and has been a hub for locals since its opening.<\/p>\n

Get in the Holiday Spirit<\/p>\n

There are plenty of antique spots in Gonzales well worth a visit. Laurel Ridge<\/a>, located in a Four Square-style 1914 home restored by owner Barbara Crozier and her mother, is a welcoming gem with original doors, transom windows, and, at the holidays, it is filled with imported nutcrackers, ornaments, and nesting dolls. Upstairs, there are several well-appointed guest rooms as well.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:Relax in Nature<\/p>\n

For hiking and kayaking, Palmetto State Park<\/a>, named for its dwarf palmetto trees, features an unexpected landscape of shaded, swampy surroundings, multiple trails, and a historic 1930s pavilion overlooking the river.<\/p>\n

Bathe in Mineral Springs<\/p>\n

An afternoon spent in the soft, soothing waters of Ottine Mineral Springs<\/a>, a newly opened retreat a 10-minute drive from Gonzales, is a must-do. The site, once home to a children\u2019s hospital that treated young polio patients, continues to be a \u201csanctuary for rejuvenation and renewal through a holistic, transformational wellness experience,\u201d says general manager DeDe DeStefano. There is a cafe and spa, but future plans include an on-site hotel, additional mineral water-fed pools, forest-bathing areas, and more spa services like saltwater floating pools and red-light therapy.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy Mackenzie Smith<\/p>\n

Ottine Mineral Springs.Where To EatChoose Your Craving<\/p>\n

A playful nod to the town\u2019s famous slogan, Come and Crepe It<\/a> offers omelets and sweet and savory crepes, perfect for a casual breakfast or midday bite.<\/p>\n

Explore a Culinary Gem<\/p>\n

Fine dining may not be the first thing you expect in a small town, but Gonzales Bistro<\/a> is a standout. The menu has French inspiration with dishes like escargot, homemade gnocchi, European sea bass, and creme brulee.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:Where To StayDilworth Inn<\/p>\n

Constructed in 1912, the 14-room boutique hotel is located near the courthouse and once served as the Dilworth Bank<\/a>, as well as a department store and later a church. Check in for cozy rooms and heritage architecture.<\/p>\n

Read the original article on Southern Living<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The shot heard around the world, well, at least in Texas, was fired in Gonzales, a 7,000-person town…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":70715,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[35687,35685,35684,35686,35683,27,29,3343,28,9693],"class_list":["post-70714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-texas","tag-gonzales-bistro","tag-gonzales-county-jail-museum","tag-gonzales-memorial-museum","tag-jail-square","tag-lauren-jones","tag-texas","tag-texas-headlines","tag-texas-history","tag-texas-news","tag-texas-revolution"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70714\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}