The Texas Pioneer Spirit is Alive

Texas is a state that is proud of its rugged history, and a place that still fosters and preserves part of the state's past is the Pioneer Village, located an hour and a half from San Antonio, in tiny Gonzalez, TX.

The pioneer village features fourteen homes, outhouses, and businesses brought from all over Gonzalez to build the village. If you have ever wondered what an old broom shop, saloon, smokehouse, blacksmith shop, granary, and barn from the Texas pioneer days looked like, the village has all these and more on display, fully furnished with typical hardware, equipment, and tools.

 

The organization that runs the Pioneer Village, also arranges seasonal events and classes to learn some of the old techniques used to sustain life during this period. Classes can be scheduled to learn how to make a toothbrush rag rug, as well as Dutch Oven cooking lessons, and different weaving techniques. Volunteers who wish to help the village are always encouraged to apply.

Throughout the year different events are scheduled. Upcoming events include the Annual Quilt and Fiber Arts Show, the Come and Take it Battle Reenactment, and Stars in the Village. The quilt show takes place on the second Saturday in September, and demonstrates a variety of old techniques used to make gorgeous and useful quilts. The Come and Take it Reenactment is a recreation of one of the incidents (the loaning of a cannon by the Mexican government to Gonzalez, and the subsequent refusal to return it) that led to the Battle for Texas’ Independence. The reenactment takes place on the first Saturday in October. “Stars in the Village” is a pioneer take on the Christmas season. The last weekend of November and the first weekend in December see the village outfitted in 1800s Christmas décor. Carolers, holiday sweets, and musical bands playing period instruments help usher in the season.

The village is an interactive historical center, and is open for group tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM until 2 PM. The tour takes about an hour and a half, and groups wishing to arrange a large tour should be scheduled two weeks in advance. The number for the village is 830.672.2157.