Six Flags & Polka Bands

For those of us born and raised in Texas, we’ve heard the term Six Flags of Texas more than once. I’m blogging about the nations that had a claim on or staked a presence in the state of Texas. It’s this blend of cultures passed through many generations, that make Texans so uniquely us.

A new book project has me deep into research during that period of time when Texas was claimed by Mexico after defeating Spain in a war for independence. Individuals were promised large land grants based on the promise of bringing in new settlers as a protection against U.S. expansion.

Moses and Stephen F.

The Spanish government issued an Empasarial grant to Moses Austin in 1821 allowing him close to 200,00 acres if he would bring 300 families. On his journey back home he became ill and died from pneumonia. His 28-year-old son, Stephen F., took over his father’s dream. These early settlers were known as the Old Three-Hundred.

Many of the most influential immigrant groups were from Germany and Prussia, establishing the German Belt in the hill country of Texas. They left an undeniable mark on early Texas, which you can see evidence of today. The Christmas Tree, public education (kindergarten is German for “children’s garden”), architecture, Oktoberfest, polka bands, and brewing beer, just to name a few.

SPAIN 1519-1685

Alonso Alvarez de Pineda mapped the Gulf Coast from Florida to Ucatan, claiming land for the government of Spain. Spanish missions, settlements, and forts gradually expanded from Mexico for near a century and a-half. The red-and-yellow-striped Spanish flag depicts a castle of Castile and a lion of Leon on a shield topped by a crown.

FRANCE 1685-1690

With the nearest Spanish settlement over 100 miles away, France boldly planted its flag in east Texas near the Gulf Coast. The doomed settlement was abandoned due to shipwrecks, hunger, disease and hostile Indians. The French royal ensign for ships and forts features a golden fleurs-de-lis on white background.

SPAIN 1690-1821

With a renewed awareness of other European powers and their colonization efforts, the Spanish built an East Texas Mission, San Francisco de los Tejas, near present day Weches.

MEXICO 1821-1836

Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821, and for more than a decade pioneers flowed into frontier Texas. Anglo settlers from the north became Mexican citizens. Stephen F. Austin traveled to Mexico City to petition for civil rights, but was imprisoned for nearly two years instead. General Santa Anna declared himself dictator. The first shots of the Texas Revolution were fired September 1, 1835 in the water near the mouth of the Brazos river when an armed schooner engaged a Mexican cutter. The flag of Mexico depicts an eagle, a snake, and a cactus on bars of green, white and red.

THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS 1836-1845

Texas independence was officially recognized by the United States in 1837, by France in 1839, and by England and the Netherlands in 1840. The Republic of Texas was an independent, sovereign nation, but most of its citizens favored statehood. The Texas state flag is red, white and blue with a lone star, and the same as adopted in 1839.

TEXAS, the 28th STATE 1845-1861

On December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted into the United States of America. The Stars and Stripes had 28 stars.

TEXAS IN THE CONFEDERACY 1861-1865

General Sam Houston urged Texans to establish a neutral republic because the North will never forget, but he was driven from office. One month after Robert E. Lee officially surrendered, the last battle of the Civil War was fought in Texas near present day Brownsville.

“All political power is inherent in the people … they have at all times the inalienable right to alter their government in such manner as they might think proper.”

Texas Constitution

Natalie Cline Bright is a author, blogger, speaker, and ranch owner.