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
April 8
Bluff Osterfeuer & Egg Hunt
The tradition of Easter egg hunts and spring celebrations within the town of La Grange can be dated as early as the late 19th century, with many reports in papers and oral histories recounting the fun and games of the season. Join us on the Bluff...
May 20
Bluff Schuetzenfest 2023
Celebrate the history of the Bluff Schuetzenverein, a German marksmanship and social organization which once made its home on the grounds of Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill state historic sites. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the...
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....
Activity contributed by Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites
Proven to stand the test of time, a button spinner toy is a very old concept but still brings so much joy to all family members. The real beauty in this DIY game is in its simplicity. It only requires two items that are commonly found in most households and is very easy to make.
For your...
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