Day Trip: San Jacinto Monument and USS Texas

by Michael Satterfield - 05/25/2021

Just east of Houston stands a monument to the battle that decided Texas nationhood, the battle of San Jacinto. At 567 feet, it is the tallest masonry monument in the world, the tip of the 220-ton star stands nearly thirteen feet taller than the Washington Monument in the District of Columbia. The park is also home to the USS Texas, a decorated ship that saw combat in both WWI and WII. Since I am driving down to the Texas coast south of Houston for another event anyways, I figured I would take the opportunity to drive the new Chevrolet Silverado to see two amazing monuments to the Lone Star State.

The monument is a feat of engineering, designed by architect Alfred C. Finn and built by the W.S. Bellows Construction company using reinforced concrete, the exterior is faced with Texas Limestone and is home to the San Jacinto Museum of History and the 160 seat Jesse H. Jones Theatre for Texas Studies. At the base of the column, eight carved panels depict the battle of San Jacinto and the history of Texas. Around the walls of the monument's base is the inscription is the story of the War of Texas Independence.

Going inside the museum has a display that highlights the history of the battle at San Jacinto, another hall hosts temporary exhibits, on my visit the hall was showcasing the construction process. Every hour on the hour the theater shows a 35-minuet production of Texas Forever, the history of Texas. If you aren't scared of heights the 480-foot high observation deck offers views of the USS Texas, the Houston skyline, and on clear days far into Galveston Bay. If you can't make it to the top (sometimes the elevator is being serviced) the museum has a live webcam that shows the view on their website. 

Once you have wrapped up at the monument, jump back in your car head over the Battleship Texas State Historic Site. The USS Texas was launched in 1912 and commissioned in 1914, seeing its first action in the Tampico Affair during the Mexican Revolution. The USS Texas would take part in World War I, and in World War II saw combat in the Atlantic, and Pacific, one of the few ships at both the Normandy Landings and Battle of Okinawa. The Texas would be decommissioned in 1948 and would become the first US Battleship to become a permanent museum ship. 

Currently, the Battleship Texas is closed for tours and they have not announced a reopening date, the mostly volunteer crew has been keeping the 109-year-old battleship from sinking in its mooring. You can still see the ship from the shore and enjoy the park which has a number of other monuments, if you pack a lunch there are some great areas to enjoy a picnic.   

Getting There:

From the North

Take I45 south or 59 south to Beltway 8, Sam Houston Tollway, or continue south to Highway 610. Take Beltway 8  (EZTag only) or Loop 610 east, and then south, crossing the Houston Ship Channel. Exit Highway 225 east, Texas Independence Highway, to La Porte. Exit Independence Parkway and turn left. When the road divides into two roads, remain in the left lane, continue through the tall stone park gates, and turn right into the park.

From the South

Take I45 north to Beltway 8, Sam Houston Tollway. Take Beltway 8 east, and then north. Exit Highway 225 east, Texas Independence Highway, to La Porte. Exit Independence Parkway and turn left. When the road divides into two roads, remain in the left lane, continue through the tall stone park gates, and turn right into the park.

From the East

Take I10 west to Independence Parkway North. Take the Lynchburg Ferry, follow Independence Parkway past the Battleship TEXAS, and turn left into the park toward the San Jacinto Monument. Note that Lynchburg Ferry hours may change.  Alternatively, to avoid the ferry, continue west to Beltway 8 or Highway 610, and follow the directions From the North.   

From the West

Take Highway 225 east, Texas Independence Highway, to La Porte. Exit Independence Parkway and turn left. When the road divides into two roads, remain in the left lane, continue through the tall stone park gates, and turn right into the park.