1997
Austin
Texas State Capitol
Completed in 1888, the current capitol
replaced an 1852 limestone statehouse that burned down in 1881. It is
the second largest capitol in the country, second only in size to the US
capitol--but measuring seven feet taller.
The galvanized-iron Capitol dome exterior was made in Belgium
and cost roughly $250,000. The Goddess of Liberty, placed atop
the capitol dome in four pieces in February 1888, stood nearly 16 feet tall and
weighed an estimated 2,000 pounds. The zinc statue
was replaced with an aluminum duplicate in 1986. The duplicate cost
approximately $450,000, all of which came from private sources.
Hill Country
Hill Country House
San Antonio
The Alamo
It was here
that 188 Texas volunteers (including Davy
Crockett and Jim
Bowie) defied
the much larger army of Mexican dictator Santa
Anna for 13 days in March 1836.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Concepción de Acuña
The Alamo (or Mission San Antonio de Valero) was
but one of five missions
established by the Franciscans
along
the San Antonio River to Christianize the native population. The Mission
Nuestra Señora de la Concepción de Acuña
was named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Juan
de Acuña, the Marqués de Casafuerte.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Originally founded in 1716 in eastern Texas, Mission
San Juan was transferred in 1731 to its present location. In 1756, the
stone church,
a friary, and a granary were completed. A larger church was begun, but was
abandoned when half complete, the result of population decline.
Statue of a monk.
Offering candles.
Fredericksburg
Vareins Kirche
The Vareins Kirche (Society Church) once functioned as a town
hall, school and storehouse. A 1935 replica
of the 1847 original, the building now houses the archives of the Gillespie
County Historical Society.
Old White Elephant Saloon Building
The elephant was custom carved in Europe for the White
Elephant Saloon when it was built
in the 19th century. The building now houses Ingrid
Haas Custom Hand Weaving.
Storefront
