The battle of San Jacinto was the most important battle in Texas history and considered by many historians as one of the great decisive battles in world history.  Santa Anna's defeat ended the military phase of the Texas Revolution, secured Texas independence from Mexico, and helped establish the Republic of Texas, ultimately leading to the annexation of Texas to the United States in 1845.  The modern destiny of Texas began on April 21, 1836.

Since then, Texans have revered San Jacinto Battleground as "hallowed ground" and "sacred soil."  Through the efforts of veterans of the battle and the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, large portions of the battlefield were purchased by the State in the late 1890s and early 1900s.  San Jacinto became the first Texas state park in 1907. 

Today, the state owned portion of the site, San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, encompasses more than 1,000 acres and is managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife.  Recent research and archeological efforts have revealed that the battlefield is far more extensive than the land currently protected as state property.  The present challenge is to save and preserve the historic integrity of this site and the remaining battlefield landscape. 

In 2002, the San Jacinto Battleground Association was formed to become the first Texas nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, protection, and reclamation of the battlefield, and the promotion of land acquisition, archeology, research and educational programs about the battle. Three years later we adopted the assumed name "The Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground." 

The group has been honored by the Texas Historical Commission and recognized nationally by the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service.