180 Years Old… Under Six Flags

By Tammy Kubecka, Burleson County resident and historian.

Our beautiful and free United States of America is turning 250 years old this year!! Throughout these twenty-five decades of good and bad, starting with our hard-won independence in 1776, we're still the greatest country in the world! Our equally beautiful State of Texas will be celebrating 190 years of independence this year, and our very own Burleson County will celebrate 180 years of existence! Texas, and Burleson County, had a zig-zag route to where we are now, with ownership and jurisdiction shifting over the years, resulting in our famed Six Flags Over Texas. But what are those six flags, and when were they flying over our state? Being a conglomeration of prehistoric and later historic native tribes, Texas wasn't claimed or even explored for centuries. Spain had risen to be a world power in the sixteenth century and claimed all the land they could for their North American empire. That included Texas from 1519-1685. The territory was mostly ignored except for a few explorers and missionaries. It was too wild and the natives too hostile to be of much use to Spain at the time. In the early 17th century, France began challenging Spain with their own exploration. By 1810 about 5,000 farmers and ranchers lived scattered in the Spanish territory that would become Texas.

In 1684, French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle lead four ships and four hundred people to America, with the goal of setting up a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Navigation issues and non-communication between the ships threw them off course, and they missed their destination completely. The expedition landed at Matagorda Bay along the Texas coast, and La Salle's entourage was determined to try to set up camp and colonize the area anyway. They planted a French flag on Texas' soil and for five years attempted to expand their corner of the world as part of France's Louisiana Colony. It was all a disaster and the territory reverted back to Spain. Spain would claim Texas from 1690-1821.

Mexico had been trying to break free of Spanish Colonial rule for years. The Battle of the Medina in August 1813, pitted Mexican rebels against the Spanish loyalists, and was the bloodiest battle ever fought on Texas' soil. Despite most of the prominent San Antonio families siding with the rebels and being exiled to Louisiana, the attempt for Mexico's freedom failed. The rebels feared that Mexico would lose the northern Texas' territory to the encroaching United States, or it would remain unpopulated due to hostile natives and continued attacks on those who tried to settle the land.

In September 1821, Mexico won her independence from Spain and raised the third flag over Texas until 1836. Of course we all know that Texas won its own independence from Mexico at San Jacinto in April 1836, after a seven month struggle of rebellion and revolution. The ragtag Texian Army fell at the Alamo, but the cause was not lost. With a vision of land and opportunity Texans continued to fight the strong Mexican Army, and in fact, many of the original Mexican families still sided in with the Texans.

From 1836 to 1845, a fourth independent flag flew over the Republic of Texas, and it was truly a law unto itself. It was the wild west personified with continuing conflicts with Native Americans, the Mexican government and local political turmoil. Three different flags were used for the Republic, but in 1839, our current Lone Star flag emerged. The blood red, azure blue, and white for bravery, loyalty and purity design is still one of the most recognizable flags in the world. But life in general was in an upheaval and coupled with a failing economy, the Republic of Texas had little choice but to join the United States of America as the 28th state.

On December 29, 1845, the fifth flag began flying over Texas' soil. The Star-Spangled Banner brought an additional element of pride to the Lone Star State. On March 24, 1846, Burleson County was formed, eventually combining parts Lee, Milam, and Washington Counties with the original boundaries. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president, the conflict between northern industrial states and southern agricultural states became more and more evident. Along with a difference in opinion about states' rights, and the Union abolishing slavery, the American Civil War erupted.

Texas seceded from the Union in 1860 and joined the Confederate States of America, and a sixth flag was raised. Texas surrendered to the Union in June 1865, two months after Appomattox, and the United States Flag was once again flown in Texas. This year will bring numerous celebrations in honor of our Nation's birthday, Texas' Independence, and the 180th Birthday of Burleson County. Burleson County Heritage Week in March is always a time to reflect on our past, explore traditions and tell our stories. Six of those stories are represented by six flags. Fly your flags with pride and honor for your state and country, and remember these words:

"I pledge allegiance, to the flag of the United States of America, And to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, One state under God, one and indivisible.”

Thank you to our cherished advertisers for making The Front Porch Magazine in Burleson County possible. Click here to view advertising opportunities.

Wagon Wheel Woodworking & Outdoors | Facebook