Lone Star Heritage

Texas Music

Cedar — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 08:27:50 GMT

Breaker of hearts and upholder of the same in tone and in lyric .....

Jerry Jeff Walker, you taught me something of getting by back about 1974. Pickin' up the pieces didn't come till later .... but thank you, adopted son

Holly (one of those faces in the crowd)

Scenes From Wise County

Cedar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 03:48:18 GMT

This former Masonic Hall in Rhome now is serving as a real estate office. I will try to provide a bit of the building's history soon.

http://i20.servimg.com/u/f20/11/26/71/51/rhome_11.jpg

Wild Mustangs ~ And Other Notable Horses of Texas

Cedar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:31:19 GMT

During Spanish colonial times, our present state acted as a funnel through which traveled horses from explorers' journeys (often which had escaped or were deliberately left at creek and river crossings by governmental officials, military commanders and missionaries ~ so that herds might be built up), the mission complexes and ranchos .... northward to the Plains Indians, and to the settlers and armies which later would descend and expand from the east. A cradle of the mustang (or, 'musteno,' ...

Welcome

Cedar — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:18:28 GMT

A Texas-size 'howdy' to all! Do take a moment to introduce yourself and to share your areas of interest with other forum members.

The Influence of the Alamo on Texas Architecture

Cedar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:45:01 GMT

It was vast (unless I'm mistaken). Even the little country store seen on this webpage boasts a simplified facade of the shrine, as it was reconstructed by the United States Army (?):

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/film/production/locations/location-central.htm

Of course, Spanish-influenced styling had a life of its own in the buildings across our state, but the imprint of the Alamo usually seems unmistakable.

Also, does someone know offhand how styling of the upper ...

Scotus College at Hebbronville (Jim Hogg County)

Cedar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:32:33 GMT

I had seen photographs of the lovely, former Franciscan seminary -- Scotus College in Hebbronville -- but knew nothing of its story. These articles tell more, with the first link taking one to an image of the graceful structure.

http://www.somosprimos.com/sp2005/spoct05/ScotusCollege.jpg

http://tinyurl.com/5vnmah

'"Scotus College, A Jewel in the South Texas Brush Country'

"By Joe Martinez

"Most South Texans have never heard of Scotus College, a landmark ...

Singing Schools of the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Cedar — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:04:59 GMT

From the knowledge of Capt. Roy and Helen G. Hall: "About 1900 it was the custom .... to have 'Singing Schools.' In summer when the crops were laid by, some singing teacher usually turned up at each community and offered to teach a three week singing school to be held at the little school house. For a very small fee all the young people could enjoy not only the pleasure of each other's company, but also learned to sing by learning 'shaped notes.'"*

The photos seen below once belonged to ...

The Governor's Mansion

Westerner — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:27:28 GMT

You don't hear very much about the Governor's Mansion in Austin anymore. I decided to look up something on the web about it. This nice page came up telling the public that the old house is closed for tours. It was built in 1856 and is being repaired. You can still take a virtual tour and the page has good helps for using the Gonernor's Mansion as a teaching tool.

http://www.txfgm.org/

Marshall Pottery Plant

Born in Texas — Fri, 25 May 2007 03:57:09 GMT

Has anyone been there ? I've heard of their pots all my life and have wondered about them.

Children's Books

Born in Texas — Mon, 21 May 2007 22:41:25 GMT

What are some good books about children in the 1800's for children to read ? We mean the best ones.

Rural Electrification

Cedar — Fri, 25 May 2007 18:22:08 GMT

Following is a link to the article in the 'Handbook of Texas Online' which addresses rural electrification:

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/RR/dpr1.html

Does anyone have more specific information on the progress of electricity availability to rural homes and businesses -- say, from a county-wise (or even a family-by-family) perspective?

It especially would be nice to understand in more detail the extension process to homes and farms located in the Hill Country ...

Publishers of Texana and Texas History

Cedar — Fri, 25 May 2007 19:49:03 GMT

The Naylor Company, Stillhouse Hollow Publishers, Eakin Press ... here is a place to discuss publishers -- large and small -- who have brought the heritage of the Lone Star State to print across the years.

Red Brick Roads

madelyn — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:34:59 GMT

I've seen two red brick roads in old downtowns. I'd like to know more about them. When were bricks used for paving streets? How common was this?

Thanks for your answer.

Madelyn

Made in Texas: Bricks

Cedar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:52:58 GMT

The web-site, Texas Escapes, features this short article about some of the brick manufacturers that has been active in our state:

http://www.texasescapes.com/Texas_architecture/BrickCollecting.htm

... but does anyone know which company produced the bricks which are marked by a single star?

Thanks in advance.

A Painted Church: Mission San Antonio de Valero

Cedar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:29:48 GMT

I hadn't known till recently that as is the case of Missions San Jose, Concepcion and San Juan Capistrano (*), paintings have been uncovered on the Alamo church and belfry. According to one source:

"In February, 2000 workers trying to figure out where to put a new display case noticed a splotch of color on one wall of the sacristy. Upon further investigation they discovered frescoes that were painted in the 1700's and lost for 300 years. They were preserved by a lime-based paint the ...

A Peaceful Place of Rest: Aurora Cemetery (Wise County)

Cedar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 06:05:48 GMT

A sad yet beautiful way ... traveled by wagons, coursed by buggies, centered by an oak tree, and on the schoolbus route ...

Teague Cemetery (Wise County)

Cedar — Sat, 19 May 2007 03:30:19 GMT

Here is a link to the Teague Cemetery in Wise County. The words and photos on this page exemplify how much caring, commitment and 'elbow grease' can mean to the memorials of those who have gone before us.

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/%7edrycreek/teague.htm

Holly

Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga (Goliad)

Cedar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:41:53 GMT

A very nice, short video (produced by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) concerning Mission Espiritu Santo, reconstructed at present-day Goliad, may be found here:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/goliad_and_mission_espiritu_santo/

More here:

http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/espiritu/index.html

The Missionaries

Cedar — Sun, 27 May 2007 06:47:04 GMT

Here is a place in which to remember the missionaries who left what was known and familiar to them in order to bring the Christian faith to the land we now call, 'Texas.' Their names are many, and their sacrifices were great. Most of the missionaries followed in the path of Saint Francis of Assisi .... a gentle man, who would have loved the Indian peoples who were living in our forests, plains, canyons and prairies. Might the Indian peoples whom the Spanish missionaries met have been living anywhere ...

Flowers Ranch (Zavala County)

Cedar — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:34:38 GMT

The corral at the Flowers Ranch, Zavala County, viewed from the ranch house on February 4, 1933. Photograph finished by T. W. Swofford's Studio, Uvalde, Texas.

Can't an Old Bridge Get a Break?

Cedar — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:31:43 GMT

Okay, maybe it never would seek such a thing, but I'd thought that when the Old Alton Bridge (Denton County, 1884) was spared, largely through the generous soul of the late Mildred Hawk -- to continue to serve only human and equine traffic, as it originally was envisioned -- the road ahead for the vintage span would be a quiet one. But it seems that the Pratt-truss beauty has been discovered (remembered?) by para-normalists .... its iron reaches newly electrified on the Web as a haunted place. ...

Old Schoolhouses

Cedar — Sat, 24 May 2008 18:14:43 GMT

These photographs may depict schoolhouses of Wise County, Texas. The second belonged to Miss Bera and Vergie Dodd of Alvord.

Old Stage and Wagon-Wheel Traces

Cedar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 02:24:30 GMT

Concrete evidence of the past, the old ruts left by stagecoaches and wagon trains are usually ones in which the history-lover doesn't mind being caught up in.

I was directed to some of these, still to be seen, in the northwestern Collin County of the late-1970s. During the early years of that decade, I also was shown the ruts of an old wagon road which had been carved into the bank of Austin's Bull Creek (I think it was). As Girl Scouts in about 1968, our troop was pointed to an area through ...

Hook 'em Horns!

Cedar — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 04:43:16 GMT

... but not with us, please These two ladies moved in next door (next field/pasture?) to us a few weeks ago, and it doesn't seem that they are used to us quite yet. That's okay .... we understand, as they are in the family way and not in the mood for distractions from strangers such as are we. But I promised our new neighbors that I would be disturbing their peace for just these few moments ....

The Chisholm Trail Through North Texas

Cedar — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 08:24:25 GMT

A year or so ago on the Dallas Historical Society Message Board, an enlightening thread was begun concerning the Chisholm Trail. I thought it might be good to pick it up once again here, as the DHS board seems to be moving slowly at present and searching for the old posts through Google can be challenging (for me )

According to 'Fort Worth & Tarrant County: A Historical Guide' (1984), purists like to call the branch which passed through Fort Worth the Eastern or McCoy Trail, while ...

Hart Stilwell

Cedar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:26:50 GMT

I found Texas writer and journalist, Hart Stilwell, in a clipped and yellowed article from San Antonio's old 'The Light' newspaper,* where he penned an article called, "Texas Trails." The day was Friday, February 21, 1969, and Mr. Stillwell was writing about the fishing merits of "retarding structures" ~ aka "all those thousands and thousands of small dams they [Soil & Water Conservation Service engineers] are building in South Texas." A new retarding structure was going up, as Mr. ...

Small-Town Restaurants

Cedar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:54:11 GMT

Beneath is a link to a reliable resource:

http://www.dfwfreedomriders.org/bikergourmet.html

Does anyone happen to know whether Gracy's Country Kitchen, located in little Weston (Collin County), is still serving? It looks rather sleepy in this photo:

http://collincountystation.com/westonpics.html

(several slides in)

Of course ... Weston may yet be small, now, but the developers have their eye upon it

Any suggestions for other quaint eateries ~ with noteworthy ...

Sunday Drives

Cedar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:26:11 GMT

Does anyone still take them? I know that gas prices are sky-high, and lots of folks need to rest on the weekends .... and that many drivers don't stop to see the flowers ~ much less to smell them, these days ....

But, my grandfather always spoke of the "Sunday Drive."

He had been a cab-driver in Dallas after World War II came to a close and, through unanimous testimony of our family, savored his time behind the wheel. My grandmother, by contrast, drove only when life mandated ...

Stereotypes About Texans

Cedar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:11:55 GMT

... that hold true.

Maybe we can approach the idea of a 'Texan identity' from a different angle.

I agree with outside observers that we Texans do speak a slow and ambling dialect of English (though we are not the only ones with twangs ~ listen to The King of Queens comedy TV show sometime .... though it may hurt ). We still don't like to be fenced in too much. We love our pickup trucks .... manned by our arms alone --> freedom and independence. Our rural folk of all ages prefer ...

J. Frank Dobie

Cedar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:33:48 GMT

Some might say that our eminent folklorist straddled the fence between the factual and the imagined, but that's well okay by me

Lady Trees wrote:

"I think my dad mentioned something about taking English from Dobie at UT many years ago. What a gift that must have been eh?"

I should say so!

What manner of teacher was J. Frank Dobie? Inquiring minds want to know (please tell Dad so )!

'The Trail Drivers of Texas,' J. Marvin Hunter, ed.

Cedar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:27:23 GMT

According to its Introduction, "an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 men trailed six to ten million head of cattle and a million horses northward from Texas to Kansas and other distant markets between the end of the Civil War and the turn of the [twentieth] century." Of these men, of course, a large percentage hailed from and maintained roots in Texas. So it was that, for the purpose of preserving "for posterity the historical contributions of the trail-riding cowboys, George W. Saunders, ...

Dido Cemetery (Tarrant County)

Cedar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 05:26:47 GMT

We passed through little Dido this evening .... a community situated in far northwestern Tarrant County, on the shores of Eagle Mountain Lake. At present, Dido is a mixture of of rustic and upscale impressions; the simple, perhaps, numbering its days. A 'Classical' feel might even be attributed to the fresh edifices and manicured, landscape architecture which are making their presences felt,* and no wonder: Dido has an image to live up to ~

http://www.stanford.edu/~plomio/dido.html

http://phoenicia.org/elissardidobio.html

Texas ...

'All Club Circle C' Dancers (Houston-Area?)

Cedar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:45:16 GMT

Some scholars believe the dance to have been the central essence .... from which all other art-forms emerged. And yet, of those forms -- in both their contemporary and historical manifestations -- dancing may be the art which is least observed. Why? Well, perhaps this is because the student of dance is encouraged not to sit on the sidelines .... but to be a participant (if possible)

Gertrude P. Kurath, "the leading American student of primitive dance, defined three fundamental matters ...

Texas Recipes

Cedar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:57:00 GMT

Sam Houston White Cake

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1-1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

6 egg whites

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Cream butter until soft and light. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar and continue creaming several minutes to incorporate as much air as possible. Sift together flour, baking ...

'Walker County, Texas: A History' (Volume I)

Cedar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:59:09 GMT

Typical of histories produced by county historical societies across our nation during the past half-century, this volume constitutes one of the lengthier editions, at 964 pages. Like a number of other histories in Texas, it was gathered and presented to coincide with our state's Sesqui-Centennial, in 1986. Contained within is a listing of Republic-of-Texas and Mexican land grants in the area which became Walker County, short histories of the Austin College in its initial location, Sam Houston ...

Historians of Texas

Cedar — Mon, 21 May 2007 06:45:30 GMT

I think it would be nice to have a section to remember those who have had a share in presenting the past of Texas in varying degrees of formality .... and to discuss their styles of presentation and their works.

First in my mind is a somewhat quiet present-er. His career seems to be sketched in light but firm tones .... unthreatened in the shadows cast by bolder forms.

His name was Ernest Wallace. Here is a link to his 'vita' and to the depository of his papers:

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/ttusw/00084/tsw-00084.html

Many ...

'The Wind,' by Dorothy Scarborough

Cedar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:32:18 GMT

In spite of how a few folks around here feel about West Texas, the intense heat that we endure all across the land, and our someplace-lack-of-trees, may I recommend ~ The Wind, by Dorothy Scarborough? It really qualifies as the classic, gothic novel of Texas, I think And, yes ... it is a trite bit scary .... especially if one comes to its pages with an aversion to the novel's very setting .... he he he. There is a somewhat frightening female character, as well, whom -- entering into the psyche ...

Texas State Railroad State Historical Park

Cedar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:09:50 GMT

We were surprised and truly, disappointed, to learn on the news this evening of the transfer of the long-loved tracks -- extending between Palestine and Rusk -- to an entity beyond the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Is this a better development for the preservation of the beloved, renovated and extended route .... or not?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/texas_state_railroad/

http://www.texasstaterr.com/

http://www.texasstaterailroad.com/

'Caldwell County, Texas Cemetery Records'

Cedar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:55:32 GMT

Compiled by Mrs. Arnolia Appling, Mrs. Marjorie Fairchild and Mrs. Vivian Gray ~ first published in 1971 and reissued ten years after, this bound work appears to have found second life in the digital environment, with the exception of the following cemeteries:

Ohlendorf ("located in northwest Caldwell County, east of FM Road 2001. It is fenced but not kept. There are 15 monuments. Copied on Feb. 12, 1969")

Teas, of which the following is written ~

"Located approximately ...

'In Remembrance: Cemetery Inscriptions in Runnels County'

Cedar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:06:55 GMT

Published in 1985, in anticipation of our state's upcoming Sesqui-Centennial celebration, this limited-indexed volume contains inscriptions and in some cases, short histories of the cemeteries of Runnels County. It combined several previous recordings within a single binding, while stressing that:

"Due to human error and lack of information, many graves are unmarked; it is inevitable that there will be omissions."

Also included are the names and photographs of members of ...

Westerns

Cedar — Sun, 20 May 2007 04:15:25 GMT

Clyde, what do you think of the 'Western' genre?

I have not read many, but generally enjoy the spareness of this style, and the rough-and-tumble olden days (usually) settings.

Thanks,

Holly

Maxuel and Boyd on Elm Street, Dallas (1937)

Cedar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:13:10 GMT

Temporarily is our hope, has this photograph of Maxuel (?) and Boyd, taken on an Elm-Street sidewalk in Dallas, 1937, been adopted by us.

A link to other 'sidewalk' photographs, which have been posted to the the web-site of the Dallas County Pioneer Association:

http://www.dallaspioneer.org/photogallery/index.php?showYear=2006#event25

The Gentleman's Duel

Cedar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:40:22 GMT

The tradition of dueling which was -- frightening and unfortunately -- so much a part of our nation's and our state's early histories, may seem strange to many of us today. That two educated and cultured men, often leaders of their communities and perhaps even occupying governmental office, would turn, face one another and draw guns over wounded honor, well .... let's just say it was another time and place before the waves of the twentieth and twenty-first century pushed some discernment into ...

The Rodeo

Cedar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:27:27 GMT

... or, 'Rodeo History 101.'

Is there a class taught in that somewhere? There should be. Why not? So much of Western heritage (and its myth) is contained in the rodeo.

Of course, an introduction may be had here:

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/RR/llr1.html

There is the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, in Fort Worth, to be visited:

http://www.cowgirl.net/

Anyone been? I haven't yet, but hope to go this summer.

There is the Mesquite Championship Rodeo:

http://www.mesquiterodeo.com/

There ...

'Bandera County Marriage Records: 1856 - 1891'

Cedar — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:03:24 GMT

This volume covers marriages recorded in Bandera County, between the years of 1856 and 1891. It was compiled by Mrs. Howard Graves, Mrs, Fabian Anderwald and Mrs. Ray Caffall, for the Bandera County Historical Survey Committee.

Also included is a short record of marriages for the Hay family, which were celebrated during the period of 1835 to 1916.

Chat Feature

Cedar — Thu, 31 May 2007 18:16:04 GMT

Yes, dear ones ... we now are blessed with a somewhat primitive 'chat' component. Just look down to the bottom of the page and you should see your name, that of whomever else may be visiting; one click ... and you're talking 'Texas'

Holly

Hughes Brothers Manufacturing Company (Dallas)

Cedar — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:54:26 GMT

We found this little post card, which was mailed to a Miss By_d (?) Gray of Rosser -- from Hughes Brothers Manufacturing Co., in Dallas -- evidently as a receipt. An initial Web-search underscores the association of "City Builder," Royal A. Ferris with this company:

http://tinyurl.com/2t8oze

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/FF/ffe10.html

Might anyone have knowledge of what Hughes Brothers produced?

Collin County Station

Cedar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:56:34 GMT

Please refer to this wonderful website when seeking the past or present of Collin County:

http://collincountystation.com/

Introducing ... 'Fence-Riders' Rest'!

Cedar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:39:23 GMT

... or, at least, that is what the forum is called at the moment

Its topics need not focus on the history of our grand state, nor does one have to be a desperado to enter into said rest; rather, just a normal, working cowboy, cowgirl, or cotton-grower, wannabe, or thankful not-to-be ... yet, member of the forum.

Fence Riders Rest is open for discussion of almost any topic; available for chatter or for quiet ~ just a place of 'suspended time' shootin' the breeze .... or for airing ...

'Bandera County Cemetery Records'

Cedar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:42:09 GMT

Included within are:

Bandera Cemetery (including a record births and deaths for the Hay Family)

Small Cemetery in Julian Creek (located two miles southwest of Bandera)

Bauerlein Cemetery (located "Seven Miles out West Prong from Medina")

Pipe Creek Cemetery (located "one half mile from Pipe Creek off F. M. 1283 on left)

Amasa Clark Cemetery

"Graves in the Negro Cemetery in Bandera"

"Tuff or Adam's Cemetery, Tuff, Texas" ...