Origin of Chapter Name

A name loved by all Texans is that of San Jacinto. The San Jacinto River was probably the stream called Arasazu by Jaoquin Orobie Y Basterra, who was exploring the area for the Spanish governor Ahumada Presidio on the lower Trinity and widely explored the coast during the years from 1751 to 1772. According to some accounts, on reaching the stream they found it so choked with hyacinths that crossing was next to impossible. After cutting their way through, they named the stream San Jacinto in honor of Saint Hyacinth. Others say that this stream was first encountered on August 17, Saint Hyacinth day.

The stream has been important in Texas history as the 1821 eastern boundary of Stephen F. Austin's first colony and especially as the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. This is the battle in which Texas won its independence from Mexico.

The Handbook of Texas, Walter Prescott Webb, ed. Austin, Texas, The Texas State Historical Association, 1952, Vol. 2, p. 555-556.