Tag: City of Huntsville Tourism

by Michelle Moya

March 2 holds a important place in the heart of Texans, being both Sam Houston’s Birthday and Texas Independence Day. This year, the Huntsville community celebrating these milestones on March 1, with much preparation going into the day of celebration. But it was a particularly special day of celebration for me: It was my baptism as a Texan! I was born in Florida, but with a deep love for the Lone Star State and a current Texas resident, this event helped me make my Texas roots official.

Preparing for the Celebration

The Huntsville Lions Club is ever ready to beautify the community, and the LEAP Ambassadors are always prepared to help the Huntsville Lions Club. On holidays and other special days, the Lions Club puts out flags alongside the city streets, and, of course, Sam Houston’s Birthday is a special day in Huntsville!

So, at 6:15am, the Lions Club as well as Chrissy Biello, Olivia Discon, Jack Hammock, Olivia McCaughan, and Professor Yawn arrived bright and early to the Walker County Courthouse, where they placed Texas flags along the path of those engaged in “March 2 the Grave.”

It was a great way to lay the groundwork for what would become a fun filled, Tex-ified, day.

Gibbs-Powell Home

As part of the festivities, Olivia and Chrissy paid a visit to the beautiful and historic Gibbs-Powell Home, which hosted a brief coffee reception before the March 2 the Grave tradition.

We had the opportunity to explore the carefully preserved interior and admire some fine artifacts–such as a stereoscope, a grand piano, and the Gibbs and Powell family Bibles.

We even had a brief chance to sneak a peek upstairs, which once housed college students—arguably one of the best dormitories one could imagine!

Though our visit was short, it was an excellent start to the day, allowing us to deepen our understanding of Texas history through this incredible site in our community.

March 2 the Grave

The day continued with a solemn and patriotic march from the Old Main Pit on the Sam Houston State University campus to the Oakwood Cemetery. This is a tradition that has been around a very long time…

The roads, buildings, and attire have changed over the years, but the tradition remains.

It was a great way to bring different aspects of the community together…

…while also metaphorically connecting the town and gown…

Grave-Site Ceremony

Following the march, the community comes together at Sam Houston’s grave, in a ceremony that begins with the Texas and United States’ pledges.

The ceremony began with a warm welcome from community leaders, including:

• Walker County Historical Commission Chair: Scott Collier
• City of Huntsville Mayor: Russell Humphrey
• County Judge (Walker County): Colt Christian
• Vice-President of University Advancement: Matt Bethea
• Hello Huntsville Host: Rob Hipp
• Sam Houston Descendant: Lindsey Hughes

This celebration highlighted the enduring spirit of Texas and its people. Their words resonated with pride for Texas and Sam Houston’s historical significance.

One of the most touching moments came when Lindsey Hughes, a descendant of Sam Houston, discussed what it means to be a Texan. Hearing the words of someone with such a personal connection to the great Texas hero added a personal layer of meaning to the celebration, a connection that was particularly emphatic when she closed with the words, “If you want something done, ask a Texan.”

Long-time resident Tom Rogers then provided the audience a fascinating account of the event’s history, reminding us all why we gather each year to honor Sam Houston and Texas’ Independence in what is likely the oldest cultural tradition in Huntsville.

A Texas Baptism

The highlight of the day, at least for me and 80 others, was being baptized a Texan. This event is a unique and cherished tradition in the heart of Huntsville, with many people traveling from all around Texas to get baptized. For me, being “baptized as a Texan” was the culmination of years of admiration and a deep-seated feeling that Texas was truly my home. The baptism consisted of water sprinkled across my forehead by Liz Patton (whose late husband, James Patton, was a long-time County Clerk for Walker County and the unofficial historian of the County), symbolically washing away my out-of-state origins and christening me as a true Texan. Although I was born in Florida, my heart has always belonged to Texas, and now I have the certificate to prove it!

This event does a wonderful job of honoring the legacy of Sam Houston. Houston’s influence on the state of Texas is immeasurable, and his life exemplifies the spirit of Texas: bold, independent, and dedicated to freedom.

Thanks

A huge thanks goes to the committee that organizes this event each year. The committee consists of representatives from the Walker County Historical Commission, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library, the City of Huntsville’s Travel and Tourism Office, and the Downtown Business Alliance. This is a large undertaking, and they did it well–which should be no surprise. If you want something done, ask Texans!

Happy Birthday, Sam Houston, and Happy Independence Day, Texas!