National Register Listing

Gonzales Commercial Historic District

a.k.a. See Also:Gonzales County Courthouse;Gonzales County Jail

Roughly bounded by Water, Saint Andrew, Saint Peter, and Saint Matthew Sts., Gonzales, TX
The Gonzales Commercial Historic District represents the area that developed as the focal point for commercial and governmental activity in Gonzales during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally laid out in a cruciform plan in 1825 and officially recognized in 1832, the town grew from its colonial beginnings to become the seat of Gonzales County in 1837. The commercial district, centered in the Inner Town plat around the courthouse, became the economic hub of the county, slowly and steadily becoming a regional trade center based on cattle, cotton, and other agricultural commodities. With the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s, commercial growth in Gonzales peaked at the turn of the century. The period of significance dates from about 1880 to 1940, the estimated construction dates of the earliest and latest Contributing properties. The stone and brick commercial buildings that surround the public squares display the important role that Gonzales played as a prosperous mercantile, trading, and government center during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The buildings themselves reflect types and styles typical of commercial and institutional construction during this period, with many reflecting late Victorian stylistic features. The strong historical associations of the district with the development and evolution of commerce and government in Gonzales support listing under the National Register Criterion in the areas of commerce and politics and government. The district, which has maintained its unique colonial layout, represents the largest and most significant collection of late 19th and early 20th-century commercial and institutional building types in the county, in the area of architecture and community planning and development.
Local significance of the district:
Architecture; Commerce; Community Planning And Development; Politics/government

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
Texas random facts
Gonzales County, Texas, has a rich history dating back to its settlement in the early 1820s. The area was part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas until the Texas Revolution in 1836, when the Battle of Gonzales became a pivotal moment in the fight for independence. The battle, often referred to as the "Lexington of Texas," was fought due to a demand by Mexican authorities for the return of a cannon given to the settlers to protect against Native American raids. This refusal to comply with the orders of the Mexican government marked the beginning of the Texas Revolution.

Following the Texas Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of Texas, Gonzales County played a vital role in the formation of the new state. The town of Gonzales became the capital of DeWitt County and remained a prominent center for trade and agriculture. The 1850s brought an influx of German immigrants to the area, who brought with them their agricultural expertise and helped to further develop the county's economy.

During the Civil War, Gonzales County primarily sided with the Confederacy, and many residents served in the Confederate Army. After the war, the county faced a period of reconstruction and struggled with political and economic challenges. However, through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the discovery of oil and the expansion of the cattle industry brought renewed growth and prosperity to Gonzales County.

Today, Gonzales County remains a vibrant community with a mix of agriculture, oil and gas production, and diverse industries. The county is also known for its rich cultural heritage, including historical sites and the annual reenactment of the Battle of Gonzales. The county's history is celebrated and preserved through museums, historical markers, and the pride of its residents in their shared past.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Gonzales County, Texas.

  • 1834 - Gonzales County established as a municipality of Mexico
  • 1835 - "Come and Take It" cannon skirmish occurs in Gonzales, marking the start of the Texas Revolution
  • 1836 - Texas gains independence from Mexico; Gonzales County becomes part of the Republic of Texas
  • 1846 - Texas becomes a state, and Gonzales County remains a political subdivision
  • 1861-1865 - Gonzales County residents participate in the American Civil War
  • 1878 - The Gonzales Inquirer, the oldest continuously published weekly newspaper in Texas, is established
  • 1887 - Gonzales County Courthouse is built
  • 1891 - The Harwood and Gonzales Railway connects Gonzales to the Texas railway network
  • 1905 - Oil is discovered in Gonzales County, leading to an economic boom
  • 1936 - The Gonzales Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center, now the J.B. Wells Park, opens as a medical facility for polio patients
  • 1949 - The Gonzales Memorial Museum is established to preserve local history
  • 1967 - The Gonzales State School opens to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • 1988 - The Confederate Soldiers Monument is erected in the Gonzales Memorial Museum