Tradition and Commemoration

 


For over 170 years, descendants and others have gathered on Monument Hill in remembrance of the Texans who died in the Dawson and Mier Expeditions. Among these commemorations was the one pictured here, exactly 85 years after the remains were first placed in a simple sandstone vault on the bluff overlooking La Grange.

By the early 1930s, the old tomb had fallen into a state of disrepair. While several public officials and local citizens called for the removal of the remains to Austin, others advocated for investments in the tomb’s restoration. Fayette County residents formed the Monument Hill Memorial Association seeking to provide a new vault and to ask the state legislature to designate Monument Hill as a state park. On September 18, 1933, the Association welcomed guests from across Texas to unveil a new granite tomb enclosing the old one.

“From the dawn of the day until the ceremonies were at an end, there was activity in our little city; friend vied with friend to welcome the visitors who came from different parts of Texas. And with the gladsome handshake, and the expression of sincere greeting, it was conceded by all that those present were more than pleased to witness the unveiling, and to commend those who had been so active in making possible the incident of Fayette county history.” – La Grange Journal, September 21, 1933

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