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| You can find this caption all over Gonzales. |
We made a small bunny hop up the trail this morning to Gonzales, Texas. On Sunday, we'll hop again to Austin to stay for a week. One of the realities of traveling in an RV is that it is easy to find lodging during the week, especially travelers like us who prefer state parks. However, state parks are desirable places so on the weekends; campers come out in droves. This simply means that we either have to make reservations long in advance, or find a private RV park. Fortunately, in America (and most likely other places), private RV parks are plentiful. The result is we're at the Eagle Ford RV park just outside of Gonzales for the weekend. Rob, the owner, looks so much like me that I'm going to have to make sure Judy goes into the right trailer tonight. He talked our leg off when we entered. Quite hilarious, actually. But wait! Breaking news. I've been remiss on this trip in my discussion of the daily cribbage match between myself and the Wiley Cager. This morning since I was dangerously close to losing, I had to opt for some "gentlemanly" tactics. At the last turn, I was at least twenty pegs behind, so every time I counted any pegging points, I moved the cager's pegs back. She was so enthralled with her winning hand, she didn't even notice, which is the good news. The bad news is that her hand was so good, I couldn't move her backwards far enough. Bottom line: she won. It's all in good fun, and we laugh often. After setting up the trailer, we drove into Gonzales to experience its history (and to find lunch). Gonzales, like all parts of Texas, is as proud as sweet tea about its history. Gonzales' claim to fame is a tiny little cannon that Santa Anna wanted. The Texans said, "Come and take it". They hold two other solid claims to Texas history. First, they claim the first shot in the Texas Revolution was fired here (Over the cannon). Second, they are the only town who answered with men when General Travis called for reinforcements at the Alamo (All thirty one men who answered the call gave their lives in the effort). Perhaps another claim to fame is the jailhouse, which is a 132 yr old structure that was in use until 1975. Designed by Eugene Heiner, the jail is one of seventeen built by Heiner, and the only one still standing. The jailhouse, which came about under some controversy because it cost $36,000 to build partly because of the flat iron steel used, and also because of its very modern cell locking system, which used levers to open the cells so the jailers would be safe from the inmates. Smack dab in the middle of the exercise area on the second floor is a gallows, complete with a dangling noose, which stands overhead like a pastor's warning. Hanging was legal in Texas until 1924 when the state changed to the more "humane" electrocution method for capital punishment. It's a very sober reminder of a tough, bygone age beginning that flourished after the Civil War. Many men were desperate, and many were conditioned in the hard realities of a fighting soldier's life. No wonder the jail had a steady flow of occupants. We also drove around town to look at the fabulous old houses. While I wouldn't especially enjoy the work it would take to keep these places up, I absolutely love the late eighteen hundreds architecture. In all, it was a good day. Tomorrow, we're heading out to State Road 443 for a ride. It's a winding, rolling road that wends its way through the ranch land in the area. Can't wait. In the meantime, I'm happy to report that despite my cribbage loss this morning life is good, especially today.
The Eggleston house, built in 1845, was home of Horace and Sarah Eggleston until Horace's death in 1855. Sarah and the children lived in the home until 1880.
The Gonzales County Jail is now a "free' museum. Our guide, a giggly, glib, gal named Ellen chattered more than a hungry squirrel. Maybe her talk was designed to simulate how stir crazy the inmates would get after awhile. I'm just kidding, but I do know I've spent lifetime trying to stay out of places like the Gonzales County Jail.
Heavy keys to lock heavy flat iron steel doors.
In 1956, this two way radio came into use. It was the "smart phone" of its day.
Lots of desperadoes entered these cells. John Wesley Hardin, a wonton killer, found the light in this jail, and after his release he turned to the law. He became a successful lawyer in the county.
This cell is just for the town drunks and those who fought in public. The solitary confinement cell is much less enticing, as is the group of small cells reserved for the hardened criminals.
There's an ironic sign under this gallows: "Don't climb on the Gallows".
The inmates passed the time scratching graffiti into the walls. An especially "Bad Hombre", El Pato from Nixon, Texas is still alive according to our guide.
Texas BBQ from this inauspicious joint.
Beef links, ribs, and all the fixings.
We shared a brisket plate and a beef link with fries and beans as side. Oh, and a piece of coconut cream pie. It's no wonder you hardly ever see a small Texan.
There are several quite elegant and grand homes in Gonzales.
This stunning home has been turned into a B & B.
And finally, this tiny little guy is the "cannon" that Santa Anna wanted so badly. Oh, my, the things we humans can find justification for.
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