Dallas Historical Society Extends San Jacinto Exhibit at Oaks Bank & Trust to June 3; Free, Award-Winning Show Offers Chance to See Rare Artifacts

DALLAS – The Dallas Historical Society has extended an exhibit of items from the Texas rebellion against Mexico, including some that haven’t been displayed since the 1936 Texas Centennial. The Oaks Bank & Trust Company’s 4th Annual San Jacinto Day Exhibit will remain open through June 3.

The collaboration between the bank and the museum based at the Hall of State in Fair Park won the Texas Bankers Association’s Cornerstone Award for community service, presented last week to Oaks Bank Chairman Max Wells at the group’s convention in San Antonio.

“We appreciate the recognition by our peers in the banking community and are happy that the Dallas Historical Society will allow these unique artifacts from our state’s past to remain on display longer so more visitors can enjoy this rare chance to see them,” Wells said.

Exhibit Items at the Oaks Bank office at 4849 Greenville Ave. (at University Boulevard) include an ornate silk vest that Mexican Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna gave to one of his captors after the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. Visitors can also view Santa Anna’s riding spurs, a brass paperweight from his field desk, various weapons and the “Santa Anna Cross,” a military decoration awarded to Mexican soldiers after the Alamo.

Unique among the artifacts is a one-of-a-kind, hand-engraved medal created from a Mexican coin that was presented to “Our Brave Heroine Susannah Dickinson” by the Texas Republic. Dickinson escaped with her infant daughter from the Alamo where her husband, captain of the artillery Almeron Dickinson, fought and died.

Art and artifacts from Oaks Bank’s permanent Lex Johnston Republic of Texas Collection are also shown. Named in honor of the bank’s late co-founder, the collection includes original currency, flags of the republic, artwork, and a copy of Gen. Sam Houston’s handwritten report on the battle at San Jacinto. The bank and the society donated a copy of the battle report to the Dallas Public Library at the show’s opening event.

Exhibit hours are Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to Noon. For information or directions call 214-361-7400 or visit www.oaksbank.com. The Lex Johnston Collection is available year-round at the bank’s five Dallas, Duncanville and Richardson offices.


About Oaks Bank
With assets of $115 million, The Oaks Bank & Trust Company is a full service, independent community bank chartered May 17, 1985. In addition to loan and other banking services, Oaks Bank offers insurance and associated financial services through Texas BancPartners Insurance Agency LLC, and commercial and residential mortgage services through Parkvest BancGroup. All three companies are part of the Prestonwood BancShares Inc. group.