Sons of the Republic of Texas announces 2025 Presidio La Bahia Award recipients
GOLIAD, Texas – The Sons of the Republic of Texas (SRT) proudly announced the recipients of the prestigious Presidio La Bahia Award. The awards were presented during a ceremony on Dec. 6 in the ancient Our Lady of Loreto Chapel at the Presidio la Bahia, near Goliad, Texas.
This annual honor recognizes outstanding published materials that contribute to the preservation and study of Texas history, particularly the Spanish Colonial era. This year, the SRT selected two outstanding publications for recognition.
The Winners
The first is “Bridles & Biscuits: The Contraband Culture of Spanish East Texas,” written by Gary L. Pinkerton. “Bridles & Biscuits” is a unique history of the contraband trade in Spanish East Texas.
Gary’s passion for research and writing about the history of East Texas came from learning that a rut across his family’s land was once a historic road into early Texas. Including “Bridles & Biscuits”, he has written four books on history. He has a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology from East Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow of the East Texas Historical Association and serves as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Texas History.
The second is “Texas Takes Shape, A History in Maps, From the General Land Office,” written by Mark Lambert, James Harkins, Brian A. Stauffer, and Patrick Walsh. The “Texas Takes Shape” is a monumental tome, an extraordinary history of Texas from its very beginnings, shown through maps, the first map from the year 1525.
Mark Lambert is the Senior Deputy Director for Heritage at the Texas General Land Office. James Harkins is the Deputy Director of Archives and Records. Brian A. Stauffer is the Director of Public Services and the author of Victory on Earth or in Heaven: Mexico’s Religionero Rebellion. Patrick Walsh is a research specialist.
About the Award
The Presidio La Bahia Award was established in 1968 through the generosity of Kathryn Stoner O’Connor. The purpose of the award is to promote suitable preservation of relics, appropriate dissemination of data, and research into our Texas heritage, with particular attention to the Spanish Colonial period. It celebrates excellence in preserving Texas history, with a focus on law, customs, language, religion, and art from the Spanish Colonial period.
About the SRT
The Sons of the Republic of Texas is dedicated to preserving the memory and spirit of those who fought for and maintained Texas’ independence. Membership is open to male descendants of Republic of Texas residents. For more information, visit www.srttexas.org.
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