I have long wanted to go to Huntsville, Texas, to pay my respects to Sam Houston who lived there off and on, died there and is buried in the local cemetery. There is a museum and display about this famous leader. I had been to Huntsville before for this purpose, but that was ~60 years ago. I figured I needed to go soon, while I still could.

Yesterday, my wife and I, accompanied by another couple, high school classmates of mine, set out. It's a long drive from here, nearly 200 miles through mostly rural Texas, very pleasant, good weather.

The first thing we did was stop by the museum and get a recommendation for a place to have lunch, and it was a good choice, Farmhouse Eats and Sweets. We all had various salads, all ample and all very good.

The museum is one story, not overly large. http://samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com

There are various segments showing each stage of Houston's life. Much of it concerned the Texas Revolution and aftermath, of course. On the premises are two homes the Houstons occupied, the Woodlands home, a dog trot style typical of that time and the Steamboat house, where he lived his final years, died, and where his funeral was held. My mobility limitations were not a problem, thanks to the new scooter, except going up the stairs to see the top floor. This was my first outing with the scooter and it was gratifying to see how much those in my condition have been accommodated. His law office building is there as well.

Houston by any measure must have been a very remarkable man, rising to prominence in every endeavor he was involved in.


. Quite a quote there at the end!

We stopped by his grave at the cemetery and then saw the enormous statue out on the interstate.



It was a long drive back, and we are old people, and this junket tested my stamina thoroughly, but it was worth it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JALLEN,

You also saw the big giant head behind there I assume?

There is a story behind that head that eludes me right now. Glad you were able to cross it off your list.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 83v45magna,

We saw the giant face in a grove near the statue, but the significance of it was not apparent.

The grove seemed to be honoring some city manager type, no idea why.

Here I was expecting pictures of the Space and Rocket Center.

I am glad you enjoyed the trip. I have passed Giant Sam Houston dozens of times, but have never stopped. It is so close to my house, that if I am travelling, I do not need to stop yet.

It is worth a stop, the museum paints a very vivid picture of what life was like in those days and how great a man Sam Houston was. There is some story behind the head statue behind the huge statue but I dont remember it. I know there is a parking area and trails and a pamplet involved if you park and enter on the Huntsville side and not off the freeway.

quote:

Originally posted by Jaywendland1981:
It is worth a stop, the museum paints a very vivid picture of what life was like in those days and how great a man Sam Houston was. There is some story behind the head statue behind the huge statue but I dont remember it. I know there is a parking area and trails and a pamplet involved if you park and enter on the Huntsville side and not off the freeway.

The Sam Houston museum is in downtown Huntsville while the statue is out on I 45, some miles away. There is a small visitor center and gift shop at the statue. The main interesting stuff is at the museum. The cemetery is in town not far from the museum, but not walking distance.

I learned a funny story about Houston today. He loved jokes, practical jokes, pranks. He was on his deathbed in the lower parlor of the Steamboat House. Reporters from various newspapers had been hanging around, waiting for the pending "scoop." Houston sent someone out to ask two of them, by name, to come inside. When they arrived, Houston asked one of them to stand to his right, and the other to stand to his left. Then he announced he had wanted to die like Christ, between two thieves.

Hopefully he lived long enough thereafter to enjoy his joke.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JALLEN,

That's a great and well written story, thanks for sharing.

Wow that statue is huge! I missed the two little specks at the bottom the first time I looked.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Wow that statue is huge! I missed the two little specks at the bottom the first time I looked.

It is 67' tall on a 10' base.

We approached it from the frontage road and couldn't see it. I was thinking, "Just my luck. He took today off, or was on a smoke break or something." But no worries.

Festival going on this weekend.

http://samhoustonfolkfestival.blogspot.com/