San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site | Houston

Overview

The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site is located in La Porte, Texas, roughly 25 miles east of downtown Houston. It preserves the location of the decisive Battle of San Jacinto, which occurred on April 21, 1836. This battle was the culminating military event of the Texas Revolution, in which Texian forces led by General Sam Houston defeated the Mexican army under General Antonio López de Santa Anna. This victory led directly to the independence of Texas from Mexico and the establishment of the Republic of Texas.

The battleground covers approximately 1,200 acres of land, consisting of restored prairie, wetlands, and wooded areas. It remains a critical heritage site maintained by the Texas Historical Commission.

Historical Background of the Battle

The Battle of San Jacinto took place during the final phase of the Texas Revolution, which had begun in October 1835. Following earlier engagements at Gonzales, Goliad, and the Alamo, Texian morale was mixed, but strategic opportunities arose as Santa Anna overextended his supply lines and split his forces.

General Sam Houston, commanding a smaller Texian army of about 900 men, carefully retreated eastward while gathering reinforcements and waiting for an opportunity to strike. On April 20, 1836, Houston’s forces arrived near the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River. The following day, they launched a surprise attack on a larger but poorly fortified Mexican army of approximately 1,300 troops. The battle lasted only 18 minutes, but its impact was decisive.

Roughly 600 Mexican soldiers were killed and more than 700 were taken prisoner. Texian losses were minimal, with only nine killed and about thirty wounded. Among the wounded was General Houston, who sustained a serious injury to his ankle. Santa Anna was captured the following day while attempting to escape and was later forced to sign the Treaties of Velasco, ending hostilities and granting Texas its de facto independence, though Mexico did not formally recognize this until later.

San Jacinto Monument

The San Jacinto Monument stands on the battlefield as a symbol of Texas' victory. Construction of the monument began in 1936 as part of Texas' Centennial celebration and was completed in 1939. It remains the tallest masonry column in the world at 567.31 feet, including the 220-ton star that crowns it.

The design of the monument incorporates Art Deco architectural elements and is built of reinforced concrete with a limestone veneer. An elevator inside the monument takes visitors to an observation deck located approximately 489 feet above ground level, providing panoramic views of the battlefield and surrounding areas, including the Houston Ship Channel.

At the base of the monument is the San Jacinto Museum of History, which houses a large collection of artifacts and documents related to the Texas Revolution, the broader history of the Republic of Texas, and regional history extending into the 20th century.

San Jacinto Museum of History

The museum, housed within the base of the monument, offers several permanent and rotating exhibits. These exhibits include:

Artifacts from the Texas Revolution, including weapons, uniforms, and personal items used by soldiers.

Documents such as letters, battle orders, and treaties related to the events leading to Texas independence.

Exhibits on early settlement, Spanish colonial history, Native American culture, and immigration.

Memorabilia and historical records from the Civil War and World Wars, emphasizing Texas’ role in these conflicts.

In addition to the exhibits, the museum features a theater where visitors can view "Texas Forever!!", a 35-minute film that dramatizes the events leading up to and during the Battle of San Jacinto. The film is intended to provide historical context and emotional depth to the visitor experience.

Battlefield Grounds and Trails

The battlefield grounds include interpretive trails with markers indicating the positions and movements of Texian and Mexican forces during the battle. These trails allow visitors to explore the site while gaining insight into the geography that influenced the battle’s outcome. Points of interest include the Texian encampment area, the approximate location of the Mexican camp, and the site of Santa Anna’s capture.

Educational signage throughout the grounds details key events, individual participants, and strategic considerations. The landscape has been partially restored to reflect its 1836 condition, with efforts made to remove modern alterations and reintroduce native prairie grasses and marsh vegetation.

Tours and Educational Programs

The San Jacinto Battleground site offers a variety of visitor engagement programs, including:

Guided Battlefield Hikes: These are in-depth, two- to three-hour outdoor tours led by historical educators. They involve walking the site and discussing key battle events in detail. These tours are moderately strenuous and may not be accessible for visitors with limited mobility.

Van Tours: A one-hour tour covering a larger portion of the battleground in a vehicle. This option is suitable for visitors who prefer or require limited walking.

Field Trips and Group Visits: Tailored educational experiences for school groups include pre-visit materials, group activities, museum access, and a visit to the observation deck. These programs are designed to meet curriculum standards and are aligned with state education goals.

Renovation and Restoration (as of 2025)

A comprehensive $142 million renovation project is currently underway to preserve and enhance the visitor experience at the San Jacinto Battleground. Key components of the project include:

A new, modernized visitor center with expanded exhibit space and educational facilities.

Upgrades to museum displays, lighting, and accessibility.

Restoration of the battlefield's topography to more closely resemble its 1836 appearance, including the removal of artificial coves and the reintroduction of native wetlands.

The relocation of the Battleship Texas to a permanent home in Galveston for preservation, reducing the environmental and logistical burden on the battleground site.

Improved signage and digital interpretation resources to enhance accessibility and engagement.

This project is expected to continue in phases through 2026.

Visitor Information

Hours of Operation:

The battleground and grounds are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The San Jacinto Monument and Museum are open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission Fees:

General Admission (monument and museum): $14 for adults

Seniors (ages 65+) and veterans: $10

Children (ages 4–11): $6

Children under 3: Free

Access to the battlefield grounds is free of charge

Location:

Address: 3523 Independence Parkway South, La Porte, TX 77571