City of Pasadena
Pasadena, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This area has progressed from Indian territory to pioneer ranch land to space-age Pasadena. Known at one time for its strawberry patches, it is now acclaimed for its oil and chemical industries. The Vince brothers, members of Stephen F. Austin's original 300 settlers, developed area as ranch land. The armies of both Sam Houston and Santa Anna traveled through what is now Pasadena in 1836, to San Jacinto to decide the future of Texas. "Deaf" Smith destroyed a bridge on the Vince ranch to block possible escape by the Mexican army. After the brief battle, Santa Anna eluded the victorious Texas army on a horse stolen from Allen Vince. He was captured approximately one mile from this marker. Site of the bridge and capture may be seen by following signs to the north. In 1850, surveyors of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad called the area "Land of Flowers." Col. J. H. Burnet, a land developer from Galveston, founded Pasadena in 1895. He said, "Pasadena will be the hub of a vast rich agricultural area." The area fully justified his vision, for by 1908, "delicious strawberries, figs, oranges and vegetables" were the boast of Pasadena. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The ground beneath modern Pasadena passed from Native lands to pioneer ranches to a space-age industrial city, but its most dramatic hour came in 1836, when the armies of Sam Houston and Santa Anna crossed here on the way to San Jacinto. Scout Erastus Deaf Smith destroyed a bridge on the Vince ranch to cut off the Mexican army's retreat, and after the battle a fleeing Santa Anna was captured about a mile from this spot. Later known for its strawberry fields and Land of Flowers boosterism, the town founded in 1895 grew into a hub of oil and chemical industry.
Why it matters
This unassuming ground helped decide the outcome of the Texas Revolution, and its later transformation into an industrial city mirrors the sweep of Texas from frontier to modern economy.
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Related people
- · Sam Houston
- · Santa Anna
- · Erastus Deaf Smith
Related events
- · Battle of San Jacinto
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Site of the Home in 1836 of Dr. George Moffit Patrick
Deer Park, TX
This was the 1836 homesite of Dr. George Moffit Patrick (1801–1889), a pioneer surveyor of early Texas. After the decisive Battle of San Jacinto, the victorious Texas army encamped here, and the young Republic's cabinet met on the grounds. The State of Texas marked the spot in 1936, the centennial of independence.
Texas Army Attacked in Four Divisions
Houston, TX
On April 21, 1836, the small Texan army under Sam Houston formed for its decisive assault on Santa Anna's camp near the San Jacinto River. This marker records the order of battle: cavalry on the right under Mirabeau B. Lamar, infantry and the famed "Twin Sisters" cannon in support, Edward Burleson's regiment in the center, and Sidney Sherman's on the left. The surprise attack that followed lasted only minutes yet secured Texas independence.
Battle of San Jacinto
Houston, TX
On the afternoon of April 21, 1836, Sam Houston's roughly one thousand Texans stormed Santa Anna's larger Mexican army in a charge that lasted only eighteen minutes yet decided a continent's future. Crying "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" as their band played a love song, the Texans routed the enemy, capturing Santa Anna himself the next day. The stunning victory secured Texas independence and, with annexation nine years later, set in motion the U.S. acquisition of vast western lands.
Site of Battle of San Jacinto, 1836
Houston, TX
On the afternoon of April 21, 1836, near this spot, Gen. Sam Houston's small Texian army formed up to fall upon the much larger Mexican force of Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna. The surprise attack that followed lasted only about eighteen minutes but shattered Santa Anna's army and led to his capture the next day. The victory secured the independence of the Republic of Texas.