The Texas Spirit

Bob Bullock Texas State History Musuem

As I wandered through the various exhibits at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, a sense of pride and delight flowed through my veins knowing that I was part of such an amazing state. A special theme seemed to unite each display and make me feel more like a real Texan than ever before. From the early Indians, to the Spanish explorers and settlers, to the great innovators of today, the undying Texas Spirit lived in each of them.

The first floor of the museum was dedicated to the first encounters that took place on Texan soil. While the Native Americans adapted and prospered in the abundant frontier, a new spirit of adventure and hope at fortune began to stir in Europe. The Spanish conquistadors possessed such courage as they left home to explore new lands. As they began exploring and colonizing, they had to be intelligent and open to learning new tactics and experimentation. Each person that came over to America wanted an opportunity at freedom, a chance to make their dreams a reality, and the opportunity to search and gain prosperity. The early missionaries saw an opportunity in the Indians and made it their obligation to convert them no matter the cost. The early Texan’s faith in their causes gave them bravery and perseverance they needed in their difficult situations. This type of sacrifice for one’s beliefs is a theme that is seen predominantly throughout Texas History.

Today, The Texas Lone Star unites us with our past through our heritage and marks who we are as people, who the land has made us, and who we will become as Texans. The second floor told the story of how this “Lone Star Identity” came about. I believe that this time of revolution and success has ultimately formed and molded what it means to be a true Texan. As Stephen F. Austin said in is 1834 Mexico City jail diaries, Texas was “moved by one Spirit” as its inhabitants fought for their freedom from Mexico and more opportunities for their future. The leaders of this period cared more about their state than they did themselves. Although there was great suffering and loss during the Revolution, patience and fortitude drove the Texans to their ultimate goal of liberty and independence. During battles such as the Alamo, “Everyman wanted nothing more than fight” and even though they were outnumbered, fight they did (“Revolution!” Movie). Every sacrifice and every victory was felt by every man that was fighting for our freedom and, on April 21, 1836 at San Jacinto, after eighteen minutes of fighting, all of their hard work finally paid off. Texas gained its independence from Mexico and became a state of its very own.

After this period, came a time of new beginnings and opportunity. Although the Civil War divided the state and caused problems for a while, the Texan spirit prevailed and brought about an era of change and prospect. New dreams challenged new ideas and people began to search for their own identities. Texas became a place of possibilities. It challenged and inspired its inhabitants because these opportunities were made and not given. The cowboys prevailed on the wild frontier with their endurance, skill, patience, and self-reliance. Hollywood began to recognize the dominant characteristics of Texans and began portraying these ideas in films. The accomplishment in Texas became a partnership between people with vision and people of skill, hard work, and an enduring respect for nature. Endless possibilities lay within the seven different regions of the Texas terrain; however, with each region came new challenges. Texans gained success through numerous things such as farming, mining, and raising sheep, but the ultimate triumph came about with the discovery of oil at the Spindletop Gusher in Beaumont, Texas in 1901. This discovery changed the way people lived and worked forever. Texans also became predominant singers, athletes, doctors, and scientists. Dr. Denton Cooley opened up new frontiers by performing the first artificial heart transplant, while NASA pioneered the first voyage to the moon. Texans continue to break barrier and with the same Texan Spirit of our forefathers are doing things that no one ever though possible.

“The Star of Destiny” tied all of these ideas of the Texan Spirit into one coherent thought. Texans are daring and courageous. They are not afraid to go after their goals and do anything in their power to accomplish them. They are not afraid to take a journey into the unknown and explore other realms of possibility that remain untouched. The leaders of our past have inspired the leaders of our present and our future with their unwavering faith and devotion to their state and country. Our past shows us that through hardship and sacrifice, comes opportunity. For example, the tragedy in Galveston in 1900 demolished everything, yet Texans were able to rebuild it to become stronger than it was before. It goes to show that hard work and perseverance continue to help us thrive and grow today much as it did throughout our history. It is now up to us to continue living with this Texas Spirit and never forget that her destiny lies in our hands.