Huntsville: Sam Houston

"The great misfortune is that a notion obtains with those in power that the world, or the people, require more governing than is necessary. To govern well is a great science, but no country is ever improved by too much governing.. most men think when they are elevated to position, that it requires an effort to discharge their duties, and they leave common sense out of the question."

Today we were more focused on our destination. About a half hour north of us is a town, Huntsville, home of the Houston State University. Again, on the site of the University is a museum, dedicated to Sam Houston. Did you know he was the president of Texas? The only person to serve as governor of two states (TN and TX)? History has never been more fun than when you travel and see where these events happened.
On the way, there is a 70 foot statue of Sam Houston along the highway. See how small I look at the bottom of the base!

This is a reproduction of the actual size of the head!
We pulled off to look at it, and since it was visitor appreciation day, we were treated to a hot dog lunch! The people there were all really sincerely friendly, and we really felt like they appreciated us visiting and encouraged us to visit other sites in the city.
The museum is on the original farm land owned by Sam Houston.

This is the original home that Sam Houston raised his family in. It is a log dogtrot style (opening in between two buildings to allow air circulation) faced with boards and clap siding.

The steamboat house is where he lived the last couple of years of his life, where he died. It was moved onto the site from its original site.


Bamboo growing on the site grows about a foot a day!

The spring fed pond Sam Houston had dug is in the shape of Texas
During the centennial celebration, this tombstone was erected to replace the original plain one.