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Conroe            On Thursday, April 21, 2011, 13 flags [were] hoisted to the tops of 35-foot flagpoles, unfurled against the backdrop of a Texas sky. In the foreground, a bronze monument entitled "The Texian" - a symbol of a veteran volunteer in the Texas Revolutionary army; brandishing a Texas flag - [made] its debut. Grit and determination lie in his every poured crease and wrinkle.  ~ Mary Chavoustie, March 2011, Texas Monthly [edited 4.21.2011] Original Concept and Design Copyright © 2005, Craig Campobella Watercolor rendering by Joe Kolb Watercolor rendering by Joe Kolb "The TEXIAN" in clay Summer 2010 Stewart bust in clay Fall 2010 The LOCATION: I-45 N, just south of Hwy 105 next to Montgomery County Library   View Larger Map   Texas Historical Parks The Presidio La Bahia The Battle of Gonzales The Goliad Massacre Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Washington-on-the-Brazos The San Jacinto Museum The Alamo The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park NEW! The Park The LANDMARK:  Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park Texas remains fascinating in the history of the USA because it was once a sovereign nation. During its early years and valiant efforts to free itself, many heroes led revolutionary causes with the goal of a free and independent Texas. During that time, many flags were flown that not only identified the will of the people but led volunteer troops into battle. Everyone is aware of the six national flags that flew over the Texas region but few are aware of the many flags that flew as symbols of the many volunteer organizations fighting for Texas during its infancy and its struggle to become independent long before the Lone Star Flag was voted and settled on by the Texas congress in 1839. As the Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag, Montgomery County holds a very special designation in the hearts of all Texans. The Texas Flag is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It flies proudly over every courthouse in Texas, every police station, every stadium, every school and university, and in front of homes and businesses. The Lone Star Flag is on bumper stickers, chairs, key chains, record albums, shirts and even shoes! The Texas flag is a worldwide symbol of freedom, strength of will, and pride. Certainly no state in the Union holds as high a regard for their flag as Texans do! And that symbol that joins us all together as one began in Montgomery County. Given our history as an independent nation, an educational park celebrating this historic area and the history of the state flags that flew over our great state will no doubt be the most unique park in Texas. This park will draw not only people from all over the world but will serve as a valuable educational tool for the school children of Texas and its citizens. The MONUMENT: "The TEXIAN" The bronze monumental sculpture by award winning sculptor Craig Campobella captures the look of the average fighting volunteer during the Texas Revolution. Mr. Campobella chose to portray a veteran of the revolution three years after the battle of San Jacinto and on the  day the Lone Star flag (that we fly today) unfurled across The Republic of Texas for the first time. The 14 ft bronze is full of symbolism. There are 13 rocks under the left foot representing the 13 day siege at the Alamo. There are 342 painstakingly made marks in those rocks, one for each man massacred at Goliad. There are 18 buttons on his coat, shirt and pants; each standing for every minute in the Battle of San Jacinto. And the list doesn’t stop there. At the five o’clock position you can see his tie and sash spell out Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of the revolution. It was around 5 pm on April 21, 1836 that the battle came to a decisive end.  Under the right boot are nine stones, one for each Texian that died at San Jacinto. And under his right toe is the Santa Anna stone, complete with that name, symbolizing the years of discomfort Santa Anna continued to give the Republic of Texas long after the battle was won. How to Make a Bronze The FLAGS: Represented in the park are 13 significant flags flown during the Texas revolution  as Texas became a sovereign nation. There are over 50 to chose from so 13 were settled on to symbolize the 13 colonies of Texas at the time and the 13 day siege at the Alamo. Historian Jim Walker worked tirelessly with Stephen Hardin and Stephen Moore, noted Texas authors and historians, in choosing the flags. Each flag deserves its own book so it was very difficult to distill all the information to fit into 1200 characters on the bronze plaques that describe each flag. The BUST: The CHARLES B. STEWART Dedication and Recognition granite monument and bust at the entrance of the park is a four-sided granite pedestal with a bronze bust of Charles B. Stewart adorning the top. The pedestal is five feet tall and three feet wide on each side. On the side facing the park entrance, visitors will see the face of Charles B. Stewart. Beneath him, engraved in granite, will be his history along with directions to Montgomery, Texas, where he made his home. On the remaining three sides of the granite monument are carved the names of all the individuals, groups, and businesses that were involved in the making of this landmark along with Conroe City Council and the leadership of Montgomery County. The bust was sculpted by Mr. Campobella. There was only one existing photograph of Charles B. Stewart and it was in poor shape. The photograph was a straight on shot and posed many problems in getting an accurate three dimensional depiction. Pat Spackey, the great, great, great granddaughter of Charles B. Stewart was so moved by the finished sculpture she wept. The PURPOSE: The hope is that this display will serve as an educational tool for the citizens of Texas, become a source of local pride and inspiration for Montgomery County, and enhance heritage tourism by being a point of destination for the great number of tourists who pass through this area daily. Texas Fact The term Texian is generally used to apply to a citizen of the Anglo-American section of the province of Coahuila and Texas or of the Republic of Texas. Texian was used in 1835 as part of the title of the Nacogdoches Texian and Emigrant's Guide. As president of the Republic, Mirabeau B. Lamar used the term to foster nationalism. Early colonists and leaders in the Texas Revolution, many of whom were influential during the Civil War and who were respected as elder statesmen well into the 1880s, used Texian in English and Texienne in French. However, in general usage after annexation, Texan replaced Texian. The Texas Almanac still used the term Texian as late as 1868. SOURCE: Dorman H. Winfrey, "Mirabeau B. Lamar and Texas Nationalism," Southwestern Historical Quarterly 59 (October 1955).

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