Gonzales
Gonzales lets you know right away that it’s an integral part of Texas history. Before you even enter the town you’ll see signs advertising Gonzales as the birthplace of the Texas Revolution. The town is also the birthplace of the “Come and Take it” cannon. According to the Texas Historical Association, the cannon was given to colonists in 1831. Four years later, during more contentious times, the Mexican Army sent a small group to retrieve the cannon. The colonists responded with, you guessed it, “There it is — come and take it.”
The scuffle resulted in the Battle of Gonzales. A group of women in Gonzales created a flag with the image of a cannon with the infamous phrase scrolled beneath. The flag has become an iconic symbol of Texas independence.
The original “Come and Take It” cannon is on permanent display at the Gonzales Memorial Museum. Each October, Gonzales holds a three-day “Come and Take It” festival.