This statue of Sam Houston stands 50′ tall beside the interstate, north of his namesake city.

He began a political career in Tennessee, but moved to the Republic of Texas and served two terms as its president. After Texas joined the United States, he served as its senator for many years, and a term as its governor. Interestingly, he was forced out of office because Texas seceded from the union, and he declined to swear allegiance to the Confederacy.