The monument marks the tomb of the men that died during the Dawson Massacre of September 1842 and the ill-fated Mier expedition of November 1842, also known as the “black bean” incident. Nearby citizens reinterred their remains here in a common tomb so that they can be honored for their sacrifice. The site is now marked by a 1936 Centennial monument.
In 1849, German immigrant Heinrich Ludwig Kreische purchased 172 acres of land including the Dawson/Mier tomb, now known as Monument Hill. Master stonemason Kreische built a three-story house for his family. In the 1860s, he utilized the spring water from the ravine below his house and started one of the first commercial breweries in Texas. Walk the ruins of this once bustling brewery and envision how Fayette County citizens would come and enjoy a pint of Kreische’s Bluff Beer while looking out towards the beautiful Texas landscape. The Kreische Brewery and home are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Upcoming Events
June 10
Crafting up with the Kreisches:19th Century Handicrafts
In 19th century Texas, before the mass production of everyday items, making your own traditional handicrafts at home was a common occurrence for rural families, and though it was predominantly done for practical purposes, often the product ...
June 17
"Bluff" Games: Gambling and Gaming in German Texan Culture
German Texans in La Grange and all around the German belt loved to gather for a good time, and often played for luck and chance in casino halls and vereine meetings. Learn about the types of gaming that would have been played within German...
July 1
Ich bin ein Amerikaner: A History of Independence Day on the Bluff
Learn more about the celebrations of the Independence Day on the Bluff. Activities include 4th of July themed tours, ice cream making, a crafty activity, and more. Details to follow.
From the Blog
By Railey Tassin, Intern at Monument Hill State Historic Site
Many people know the story of the Monument Hill tomb—which holds the remains of 52 Texas men who died during the Dawson and Mier Expeditions in 1842 and 1843— and have visited it to pay their respects.
Yet not as many consider the history or significance of the adjacent monument itself. In 2021, the monument will...
By Gavin Miculka, Assistant Site Manager, Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites
Texans captured after the Dawson Massacre and the Battle of Mier—including those that drew white beans—were eventually imprisoned in Castle San Carlos de Perote in the Mexican state of Veracruz. While a few managed to escape Perote Prison, most were not liberated until September 1844....
By Andy Rhodes, Managing Editor The Medallion, Photos by Patrick Hughey
Texas’ Republic-era past takes center stage with the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) recent acquisition of nine state historic sites. The sites’ legislative transfer from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department became official on September 1, 2019, increasing the...
Photo Gallery
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