The town began in about 1836, with the opening of a trading post. It was named after the first postmaster’s hometown of Huntsville, Alabama. Most notably it is known for two things: home of Sam Houston and the Texas state prison. Ok maybe it has other things like the Sam Houston University, and HEARTS Veteran Museum of Texas. There are many odd things to see in this town: the house that is a boot and a hat, 21 ft high raven, headstone of Black Jesus, and prison bat colony.
Lets start with Sam Houston, the man, the myth, the legends….. ok jus the facts:
* President of the Republic of Texas, then governor of Texas
* Governor of Tennessee, US Senator & congressman from Tennessee
* Led the Texas Army to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto
* He opposed the American Civil War
* Huntsville has two homes and his burial plot
As you drive in or out which ever way you to get to the town there is a statue of Sam Houston on the side of the Highway. I’m not sure that Sam Houston had a big head but he does now.
Ok it doesn’t look big but let me give you some statistics of this statue:
* 67 feet tall sitting on a 10 ft high granite base was built in 1994 by David Adickes (also has other giant US president heads created)
* statue is known as “a tribute to courage”
* Eye - 1 ft, Nose - 1ft 9 inches, Cane - 32 ft, Ear - 2ft 1 in, hand 7 ft 6 in
* Weights 60 tons
* 1999, a time capsule was put into the right leg and will be opened again 2099
I must end this post with the drive by picture of the cowboy hat and boot houses.
See you at the next bend in the road,
Kelli
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