 Historic Texas: From the Alamo to LBJ
Texas is a corruption of the Indian word “tayshas” for “friend,” but in its early years, it was a harbor of contesting forces. The Spanish conquest of the region in the 17th century subjugated native tribes and ended in 1821 with Mexican independence. A bloody breakaway occurred in 1836 when Texas declared itself the independent “Republic of Texas.” The charismatic Sam Houston and his men avenged the tragic memories of the Alamo at the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1845 the United States annexed Texas and it became the 28th state, only to rebel again, casting its lot with the Confederacy in the Civil War. Two major Confederate battles were won on Texas soil, Galveston and Sabine Pass, but resistance ended at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville.
In the 20th century, Texas continued to impact American life, producing great leaders such as the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson. The tour will visit amazing places where history holds sway, from Spanish missions, to battlefields, to the home of L.B.J. who called for a “Great Society.” Texas remains proud, contentious, and fascinating in its personalities and its past, and its history helps to explain America’s independent character.
Your tour, Historic Texas, will be led by Edwin C. Bearss, historian guide extraordinare, whose knowledge is as vast as the state through which he will lead you.
TOUR INCLUDES
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
- Historian Guide: Edwin C. Bearss
- Services of a professional tour director
- Deluxe motorcoach transportation
- All admissions to included features
- Eight nights hotel accommodations
- Eight breakfasts, four lunches, and five dinners
- Welcome briefing
- All taxes, baggage handling, & gratuities on included features
- Suggested reading list
COST:
Per person double occupancy - $3,445
Per person single occupancy - $3,995
Click to request a 2009 printed Travel Guide.
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ITINERARY
Thursday, April 2
Gathering day at San Antonio’s historic Menger Hotel for a briefing and welcome dinner hosted by Ed Bearss and HistoryAmerica TOURS.
Friday, April 3
Start the day at the Alamo, famous symbol of heroic struggle against impossible odds, and see the IMAX film, “The Price of Freedom.” Visit the Mission San Jose and Fort Sam Houston before returning to the hotel.
Saturday, April 4
Goliad’s Presidio La Bahia (fort on the bay) is your first stop today. You will then visit Lipantitlan State Historic Site, a Mexican fort that fell to Texans in 1835. After your stop at Rancho Carricitos, site of the first violent encounter in the U.S.-Mexican War, you will end the day at Brownsville.
Sunday, April 5
Today you visit Mexican American War sites at Fort Brown and the battlefields of Palo Alto and La Palma. You go to the Civil War battle site at Palmito Ranch before ending your day at the Port Isabel Museum and Lighthouse.
Monday, April 6
You start at Corpus Christi today, where Zachary Taylor’s troops camped on the way to the war with Mexico. Next you visit the Museum of the Coastal Bend and your last stop is San Felipe, the 1823 headquarters of Stephen F. Austin’s colony.
Tuesday, April 7
First on the agenda is a visit to San Jacinto where Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna. You then go to the site of the Civil War Battle of Sabine Pass and end the day with a walking tour of Civil War Galveston.
Wednesday, April 8
You start your day with a visit to Washington-on-the-Brazos National Park, where Texans met to declare independence. In the Texas State Cemetery Austin and other giants of Texas history are interred. The day ends with a walking tour of the Texas State Capitol.
Thursday, April 9
Today you tour the LBJ State and National Historical Parks, LBJ’s boyhood home, the Johnson Settlement, and the LBJ Ranch. In Fredericksburg, Admiral Nimitz’s hometown, you visit the excellent National Museum of the Pacific War. You return to San Antonio for a farewell dinner at the Menger Hotel.
Friday, April 10
Depart at your leisure following breakfast.
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