Page 10 - 2019 DIRECTORY

POINTS OF INTEREST

Historical Landmarks
The North Channel area holds a special place in
Texas’ rich history. At one time Texas claimed indepen-
dence from Spain as its own sovereign nation. While the
reign of the Republic of Texas was brief – 1836 to 1848 –
many of the state’s earliest historic sites are located with-
in minutes of the North Channel area.
The San Jacinto Battleground, located nearby,
marks where Texas won independence from Spanish
rule in 1836. Here, Sam Houston’s rag-tag army defeated
Mexican General Santa Anna’s superior forces. The 570-
foot San Jacinto Monument, with the San Jacinto Muse-
um at its base, is the largest masonry monument in the
world. Nearby, the Battleship Texas is moored on San Ja-
cinto Monument grounds. Commissioned before World
War I, this U.S. Navy warship is one of the few remaining
ships of its kind. It is open to the public for daily tours.
The San Jacinto Monument Museum is open dai-
ly from 9 am to 6 pm, with the elevator and observation
deck open daily from 9 am to 5:45 pm. The Battleship
Texas is open Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 5
pm. For more information, contact the San Jacinto Monument, located on Texas 225 East at Battleground Road, at
(281) 479-2421 and for Battleship information call (281) 479-2431.
Other historic battle sites are in the area. The site of Santa Anna’s capture on the Houston Ship Channel
next to the Washburn Tunnel is marked by a monument and park. Nearby, the site of the destruction of Vince’s
Bridge has also been preserved. Located on South Richey Road in Pasadena, history holds the site as the place
where Deaf Smith, Sam Houston’s chief scout, destroyed the bridge at Vince’s Bayou and ensured the beleaguered
Texas Army victory over Santa Anna’s superior army.

Area Attractions

With its scenery, culture and history, the greater Houston area has enough sights and sounds to keep vis-
itors or lifelong residents busy. Points of interest include Space Center Houston, NASA, the downtown Theater
District, and The Galleria. Family recreation includes Houston’s numerous parks, Houston Zoo, Lake Houston and
golf courses.
Professional Sports – Houston is fortunate to have several professional sports teams. The 2017 World Series
champion Houston Astros play their baseball games at Minute Maid Park. The state-of-the-art stadium features a
retractable roof that opens to provide spectators a grand view of the downtown Houston skyline. Basketball fans
cheer for the NBA’s Houston Rockets who play their home games in the Toyota Center. Houston is also proud to
be home of the NFL Houston Texans, who play at NRG Stadium.
Soccer is alive in Houston courtesy of the Houston Dynamos who play at the BBVA Compass Stadium.
Local Golf Courses – The area is served by River Terrace Golf Course. Both courses provide a number of
challenging holes coupled with green fees that are among the lowest in the greater Houston area. More than 20
other 18-hole courses are within a 30-minute drive.
Sam Houston Race Park – The first Class 1 horse track in Texas, the 320-acre Sam Houston Race Park cost

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