We're approaching April 21st, so I wanted to post a few items on early Texas history. The first two are short videos on archeological investigations of the San Jacinto Battleground. The first is an overview of plans to modify the park's current layout, so it better reflects the topography and flora as they were on the day of the battle. The second is an overview of the methods archeological teams follow as they excavate and analyze the Battlegrounds and other historical sites. They are each roughly 6-minutes long.
This next video is a 42-minute lecture, which author Stephen L. Moore gave as part of a series of historical lectures hosted by the City of Bryan, Texas. It's a general survey of the battle from Santa Anna's rapid advance and Houston's strategic retreats to the aftermath of the conflict.
Just for good measure I've included this photo of the Capitol of the Republic of Texas in Houston. It stood at Texas and Main Streets where the old Rice Hotel (now apartments) was located. I don't have a date for this photo, but it's well after the Republic's government first occupied the building in April 1837.
And finally, I want to thank John Walker for this map showing the original boundaries of the Republic of Texas. Of course, the southern boundary was in dispute with Mexico well into the 1840s.
I don't know how many people are aware of this, but Mirabeau B. Lamar, the Republic's second president and resident of Richmond, was a vociferous proponent of westward expansion, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
