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Now, the spot is marked by a 570-foot tall stone monument topped by a 34-foot lone star.

Larry Spasic is the President of the San Jacinto Museum of History. He says the effects of what happened there have been felt throughout the world.

"This monument visually represents what Texans feel in their hearts," Spasic said. "This is the spot where everything started for Texas today. Everything that we have today, everything that we aspire to be in our business and cultural communities got our first step right here."

That natural area is what caught the eye of Bryan Roberts, Kim Lytle's friend.

"Well it's the cradle of our independence and to see this,” Lytle said. “Originally, I had wanted to show him the view from the top of the monument and then looking out we saw the wetlands area, the marshes."

Roberts is visiting Texas from England. He says the historic site's ecology surprised him most.

"I first got shown the monument because it's one of the state's sites to see, but actually I think the more interesting thing in many ways is actually the wildlife part of the area which is conserved here," Roberts said.

While the marshlands and boardwalk trail gives visitors a look at how the area might have looked in 1836, the land is hallowed by the battle that was fought here.

Spasic says the Battle of San Jacinto is what made the difference for Texas.

"This battle was the beginning of the nation of Texas, later the state of Texas and it affected the histories of Mexico, Texas and the United States, which makes it very significant in that it changed world history," he said.

Every April, the historic battle of San Jacinto is reenacted by volunteers.

The monument features an observation deck and the site also the permanent home to the Battleship Texas.