Glendale Cemetery in Houston has a serene landscape of rolling hills, ravines, and the meandering Buffalo Bayou. Glendale is Harris county's oldest cemetery with its first recorded burial dating to 1839. It is a private, historical cemetery where many of the founders of Harris County and of Texas are interred.

Back in 1836 the area was called Harrisburg, and an odd event occurred nearby. Gail Borden, Jr., a newspaper publisher, had just moved his printing press here – from San Felipe, as Mexican General Santa Anna advanced upon the town. But on the night of April 15th, Santa Anna arrived in Harrisburg – only to find it already partially burned and deserted… except for Borden and two associates. Enraged, Santa Anna – the story goes – picked up Borden’s printing press and heaved it into Buffalo Bayou. He then set fire to destroy what was left of the town. Six days later, Santa Anna’s army was destroyed nearby at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Watch our Texas: The Republic Era video to learn more about the history of Texas Independence. This video was produced for inclusion in our Texas: Forged of Revolution mobile tour found in our Texas Time Travel Tours mobile app. Download the app for more videos and travel information: