Discover Gonzales: History and activities on the Guadalupe River

For your trip planning, Gonzales offers historic museums and homes as well as activities on the Guadalupe River. You can focus on the history of Texas and the city, or include paddling routes, hiking and biking trails, and golf.

Museums, history, and historic homes

The Gonzales Memorial Museum commemorates the Immortal 32, who died at the Alamo. Items on display there include the Come and Take It Cannon: it fired the first shot for Texas independence on October 2, 1835. Two interior murals depict the history and culture of Texas, with a particular focus on Gonzales. The free immersive film experience Texas Legacy in Lights complements the museum exhibits with 3D projection mapping. Check before your trip to see if the experience is available. The museum amphitheater is used for public gatherings and entertainment and has seating for about 500 people.

The Texas History Museum District comprises five museums and is considered the first district of its kind in Texas. At the Gonzales Pioneer Village Living History Center, you will find homes and other buildings from Gonzales County dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Charles DuBose Rare Gun Collection showcases more than 700 rare and historic pieces from over 41 countries. The city’s historic homes also offer glimpses into the past, including Victorian cottages and early 20th-century mansions.

The Eggleston House was built by Horace Eggleston in 1848. You can visit it as a free, self-guided museum without an appointment; check current conditions before your visit. At the Eggleston Log House, visitors can activate the speaker on the porch. It plays a description of the building and its two illuminated rooms. The Old Jail Museum in Gonzales was built in 1885.

The Crystal Theatre opened in 1913. Early audience favorites included vaudeville shows, silent films, and talkies. Today, the theater’s Young Program offers arts education to young people from all backgrounds.

Paddling, trails, and events

The Independence Paddling Trail is a 2.6-mile loop on the Guadalupe River in Gonzales and does not require a shuttle. Access is beside the river at the south end of the US-183 bridge. Along the paddling trail, riverside vegetation and trees provide a scenic setting and shade; the river also offers opportunities for birdwatching and fishing. Experienced paddlers can travel 11 miles downstream on a scenic paddling trail near Gonzales. This trip differs from the 2.6-mile loop in both length and its explicitly stated experience requirement.

A 2.35-mile hiking and biking trail runs through Independence Park, offering scenic views of the Guadalupe River. Gonzales Independence Golf Course covers 22 acres and has nine holes; native pecan trees stand along the Guadalupe River. The disc golf course at Kerr Creek Park was established in 2003. The annual Gonzo Liberty Battle is held there.

J.B. Wells Park includes a hiking and biking trail and hosts a variety of events, including bull riding, cutting horse events, team ropings, barrel races, and junior high and high school rodeos. If a competition or rodeo is important to your stay, check the event schedule before your trip.

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