Texas Towns Travel and History Forum. (original) (raw)
Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic photos of their town, please contact us.
- Hext, Texas 12-21-10
I enjoyed seeing the picture of the school that I attended briefly in 1938. At that time it was heated by wood stoves in the class rooms and had outdoor "privies" (one for boys and one for girls). We played on the cords of wood that were stacked across the back of the play ground that were used for heating the schools.
I also attended the church with my grandfather, Maywood Bethel. It was much more rustic at that time.
My grandfather moved his gin to Hext in 1920 from Ten Mile Crossing in Menard County where he had operated it since 1904. The first ginning season that it was operational at Hext was 1921. The gin burned in the early 1930's and my grandfather operated a metal shop thereafter until about 1950. I am enclosing a picture of the shop that is still in Hext but has been padlocked since he died so is just as he left it. Also a picture of his house that he built himself but has now fallen into ruin. These pictures date from about 1973.
Besides my grandfather other Bethel family members were Brooks, Carroll, Sarah and Beth called "Girlie", the three older sons, Lenson, Ion and Milligan, were away at school before the move was made from the original site of the gin. My father was Milligan also known as "Jiggs."
Other family members in the area were the Westbrooks. My grandfather's uncle, Barney McGill (Uncle Gillie) Westbrook lived just to the south of the site of the gin and farmed and his son, Barney Westbrook lived just to the west of the site of the metal shop. Barney Westbrook and his wife, Ethel, had a store, ran the post office and lived on the premises. - Helen Bethel Williams, December 21, 2010 - Posey, Texas 12-20-10
Subject: Naming of Posey, Texas
I came across the page that you have published in the magazine concerning the name of Posey, Texas. Although all the family is pleased and happy to see any commendation of Uncle Walter S. Posey, he would be the first to point out to you that the information that you have on the naming of Posey, Texas to be incorrect.
In 1904, James B. Posey, Walter's father, and Lewis T. Lester purchased the controlling interest in the First National Bank in Lubbock where Walter S. Posey became the cashier. Later on, in 1908, the James B. Posey family moved to the farm that they had purchased that was between Lubbock and Slaton and built a house on what later proved to be right in the center of the survey of the proposed railroad line right of way. The family jacked up the house and moved it about a mile north and when the railroad was established a switch was installed on the site of where the Posey house had been and so it was called "Posey Switch." Later when a community grew up around that site, the name was abreviated to "Posey."
Often erroneous information gets published as fact and, trivial as the above correction may be, it is the true story of how Posey, Texas was named and does not belittle all the fine accomplishments and improvements Walter S. Posey brought about for the Lubbock area. - Sincerely, Mrs. John E. Williams (John E. Williams is a great grandson of James B. Posey and a great nephew of Walter S. Posey.) December 19, 2010 - **Schoolhouses**12-17-10
I know of another one room Texas school house in existence. It is in Culberson county, north of Van Horn. I know it exists, because it was my childhood school house and my teachers have now converted it into their home. It sits at the base of the Guadalupe Mtns. It was in use until about 1988. - Erick Nance, December 08, 2010 - **Branchville, Texas**12-10-10
Old Providence Baptist Church in Branchville 1869 is one of the oldest Black Historic Churches. It is still standing and an active church. - Tracy Burries-Hall, December 09, 2010 - **Mueller Bridge**12-10-10
Subject: Bridge at McAlister Crossing (aka Mueller Bridge)
I do not see the historic Mueller Bridge on your collection of historic bridges of Texas (Wilson County). The Bridge at McAlister Crossing (also known as Mueller Bridge) was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 16, 2007 as Mueller Bridge. It was also placed on Texas' Most Endangered List in 2006. The bridge was approved for Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation in 2004 and a marker was erected in 2005.... more- Shirley Grammer, November 26, 2010 - Crisp, Texas 11-30-10
Ernest Tubb the singer was born in Crisp back in 1914 and lived there till family moved to Kemp some years later where his folks later separated. - November 30, 2010 - **Melungeons in Texas**11-28-10
I have spent decades researching and writing and my novel, �The Drifters: A Christian Historical Novel About The Melungeon Shantyboat People� is about a Melungeon family with their lifestyle during the times of the Trail of Tears, Civil War in Arkansas and participation in the Texas cattle drives. It is basically a true story but must be called fiction due to connecting the dots of known facts. This book is in the Texas State Genealogical Archives. If anyone wants to know what it was like to be from this little known culture plus a part of a very little known shantyboat people, then this book will fill you in. It needs to be a movie. The Lawton Constitution�s genealogical columnist compared �The Drifters� to Alex Haley�s �Roots.� I am a published author, my 7 books can be seen on Amazon. - Tonya Holmes Shook, November 25, 2010 - Lockhart, Texas 11-28-10
Subject: Historic Brock Cabin in Lockhart, Tx
- Jeffery Robenalt, November 20, 2010 - Sipe Springs 11-28-10
Subject: From Burwell to Rockdale
What must it have been like to get on a ship in 1873 and sail away from your home to another country, into the unknown? Robert and Mary Ann Diver found out....
more- Jeanne Diver Goff, November 20, 2010 - Santa Anna
Subject: Jefferson County Ghost Town 11-27-10
I hope this Texas ghost town meets your requirements for publication. - Sincerely, Reuben H. G., October 16, 2010 - Subject: Corn Hill - Ghost Town
Just bit of additional information: B F Bridges is my gGrandfather. B F is Benjamin Franklin. He was a confederate soldier from Missouri, serving as a teamster and was captured and interned in Arkansas. He moved to Texas and married Penelope Ake. The Akes lived in Willis Creek, exact location unknown. I cannot find any records of a community by that name although the creek obviously exists in the Corn Hill area. I know very little about the old family as that was well before my time and I cannot remember any conversations about those times. There is a small Ake Cemetery nearby that I have not yet located. - James E Bridges Lt Col USAF (ret), Austin, Texas, November 06, 2010 - Marlin, Texas 11-2-10
Subject: Looney Brothers, East Texas Gas, Marlin, Texas, 1947
- Larry W Johnson, Grapevine, TX, October 31, 2010 - Rosebud, Texas11-1-10
Subject: Rosebud, Texas (formerly Mormon, TX)
In your Forum "Subject: Naming of Rosebud" there is a statement that says Rosebud, TX never had a "post office" named "Mormon". Not to be disagreeable, but here attached is a scan of a postcard postmarked August 27, 1886 that is addressed to Mrs. S. V. Gott that I think proves otherwise. If there were no post office, then someone sure knew how to get mail from New York to Mrs. Gott in Mormon, TX in 1886.
The Gott family were one of the pioneers of Rosebud, TX. I would also like to note that Mrs. S. V. Gott is the former Miss Susan Virginia Thorn who at one time was the ward of Sam Houston. Susan Virginia later married Tom Gott, who had worked as an Overseer for Sam Houston. After Tom Gott died in December 1872, Susan Virginia and her five children moved to Falls County, TX to live near her brother-in-law, Samuel Gott. Susan Virginia is buried in the Woodland Cemetery at Rosebud, TX. Many of her descendants are buried not far away at the Powers Chapel Cemetery near Wilderville, TX.
The Mormon, TX postcard, when photographed by me, was in the possession of Virgie Laura Killen Looney, daughter of Julia Sue Gott Killen, Granddaughter of Tom Green Gott and Great Granddaughter to Susan Virginia Thorn Gott.
My Great Grandfather, Francis A. Looney and my Grandfather, Dennis A. Looney were also pioneers of Rosebud, TX. - Larry W. Johnson, Grapevine, TX, October 30, 2010 - Rosebud, Texas11-1-10
Subject: Rosebud Texas ~ 100 years ago
I am attaching an image of downtown Rosebud, Texas from a photo that was taken about 100 years ago (1914?). This was taken in the bygone "Horse and Buggy days". The view is looking to the west and the old bank building is across the street in the center of the photo. The photo was given to me by my mother because she knew of my interest in local history. I'm not sure where she obtained the photo since it pre-dates her birth too (1925). I'm sure many of the younger generation would enjoy seeing their town as it looked in the bygone days. - Larry W. Johnson, Grapevine, TX, October 30, 2010 - Pidcoke, Texas 10-28-10
Subject: Pidcoke old rock school house
I was hoping to see a photo or a reference to the old rock school house there on the NW side of town. During WWII the class rooms were used as apartments for families working at Camp Hood. Although I never attended school there I did attend some dances held in the gym in the 40's. I spent many a hot day swimming in the Bee House Creek there as well. - Ken Bates, September 30, 2010 - Rusk, Texas Sunday Drive 10-21-10
Subject: Forest Hill, Alto, TX
I traveled this past weekend to Forest Hill near Alto, TX and was disappointed to find the home with a no trespassing sign on the house as well as an alarm system with no one around and no phone number. The home is privately owned. Your magazine stated that the home is open to the public the second and third weekends in October. I did take some pictures of the outside of the home although the gate on the property said posted. Important for others to know.
The Berryman cemetery is owned by the Berryman family is to the right of the home and difficult to see from the house and impossible to see from the road. In 2004, a historical marker was placed in this cemetery. Thanks. - Amanda Guttieri, October 21, 2010 - White Spur, Texas10-21-10I have attached a letter from the National Archives that tells the location of White Spur, TX. - Jerry Lobdill, October 21, 2010
- Oso, Texas 10-21-10
Subject: Oso Texas Graveyard
I enjoyed your listing for Oso Texas and went out to visit myself. I got some additional photos of the graveyard which may be of interest.
You may want to update the listing to incorporate the info that this graveyard is a known hangout for rowdy teens and as such law enforcement keep an eye on visitors. - Brian Milliron, October 20, 2010 - Melvin, Texas 10-19-10
Subject: Melvin Cemetery
Recently, my sister and I have been researching our ancestry. I believe our great great grandparents, Anna E. Carlson and Carl Alfred Nelson, both born in Sweden and died in Texas, were possibly some of the original Melvinites and helped found the swedish free mission church. Anna's parents, Carl Carlson and Sarah Carlson were also born in Sweden, both in 1828, and he died in Iowa. Census records show they immigrated to Iowa with Anna, but moved to Texas around the time she married Carl Nelson. We've also been looking into the Johnson's, since my grandma used to tell us Lyndon B. Johnson was a distant cousin. We haven't found much about that either, though.
We recently took a trip out to the old Melvin cemetery to see their headstone. We found several other Carlson headstones, who I believe may be relatives. I've attached a few pictures, as I didn't see any mention of the Melvin cemetery on your site. The family plots were really something, as were the higher-ranking officials that died in WWI and WWII. There was even a confederate soldier out there. We also stopped at the old swedish free mission church and were told that Nelson was a big family name in that area and were some of the original founders of the church.
- Marsha Davenport, October 19, 2010 - Bronson, Texas 10-14-10
I grew up in Bronson and would love to add a little history to the pictures that Mr. Massey has provided. For instance, The 1919 building is known as the �Cap King Building�. Cap ran a restaurant in the building and he served in the Texas legislature for a time. Another of the old brick building is the first Post Office that I remember in Bronson. Also the population grew to about 3000 at the peak.
Pineland, Bronson, Rosevine, and several smaller communities make up West Sabine ISD. - Mike Pate, Superintendent, October 14, 2010 - Goldthwaite, Texas 10-12-10
Subject: Mills County Courthouse
"It seems funny that this central Texas county was organized after some of the Panhandle counties. One of my favorite articles on TE is "Sagging Symbols" by Dwight Young. Mr. Young makes a reference to some of the Texas courthouses being "the architectural paperweight that kept the town from blowing away." I think that is certainly true in Goldthwaite." - Terry Jeanson, October 12, 2010 - Post, Texas 10-7-10
Subject: Photos from the past of Post, Texas
These photos are from the collection of my father, the late Dan B. Cockrum of Post. I hope you find them suitable for your archives. - Dan E. Cockrum, Carlsbad, NM, October 06, 2010 - Jeff Davis County Courthouse 10-5-10
Subject: Jeff Davis County Courthouse - Turnstiles
I was there this past weekend and can state that the turnstiles are definately still there. In fact, I looked up your magazine to figure out what they were for! - Alissa Andersen, Georgetown, TX, October 3, 2010 - Sipe Spring, Texas 10-3-10
[Here are] three pictures of my grand parents old farm in Sipe Springs. They were Arthur "Pete" and Urilla Diver. They lived down the hill from Sally Scott and his family. I dearly loved this place and these people. - Sincerely, Jeanne Diver Goff, September 28, 2010 - **Fort Ringgold**9-30-10
Subject: Family in Fort Ringgold
The name of the family that lived in Fort Ringgold was my family the Alberto Gallarado family. My grandfather was a security guard and bus-driver for many years. We would often stay on the "campo" and had the entire fort as our playground. We would play in the buses parked in front of my grandparents home. It has now been dedicated to our family. I attended the dedication and it was a great honor. - Cecilia Gallardo-Garza, September 29, 2010 - Gray Mule, Texas 9-30-10
"My grandparents - Otis and Bessie Purcell - built the first grocery store in Gray Mule 1929. Their fourth child Otis Dean was born in 1930 in living quarters of the grocery store.
This is a paintingof what Gray Mule looked like back in the 1930's. Dude Purcell, my great uncle, painted the picture from memory for my Dad Otis Dean Purcell. My family donated the painting in my dad's memory to the Fairmont Baptist Church in 2005 after my Dad died. Fairmont Baptist Church is between Gray Mule and Quitaque Texas." - Renita Purcell Marshall, September 29, 2010 - Big Lump, Texas 9-26-10
I want to thank Dan Scott for his article about Big Lump and Sipe Spring. I'll be watching for any more information on these areas. For me, the best place in the world was the little farm of my Grandparents. Arthur "Pete" and Urilla Diver. They lived just down the hill from Sally Scott and the old school house. - Sincerely, Jeanne Diver Goff, September 25, 2010 - Austin, Texas 9-24-10
Subject: "Texas Old Neon" from Austin
Here are a few neon images I took while in Austin earlier this year. I hope that they can be of use to the Texas Escapes website. - Thanks, Carl Owen, Beaumont, September 21, 2010 - New Moore, Texas 9-22-10
I started first grade in the New Moore school and spent most of my first 8 years in that school. I would like to make a correction to your statement that it is in the panhandle of Texas. It is in fact in the South Plains of Texas and people who live there would be a little upset with you panhandle statement. I knew many people there who were Rogers and and Crutcher. Thank you for publishing Regina Crutcher's "New Moore History". I hope I have been of help. Thanks, Joe Cooley, September 20, 2010 - Canyon, Texas 9-16-10
Subject: Big Tex in Canyon
Wasn't he originally at Underwoods BBQ on Amarillo Blvd west? Didn't Levi Strauss make some real Levis to fit him? It's been a long time but I do remember---apx 1970 or so. - John Whittington, September 16, 2010 - Gray Mule, Texas 9-16-10
Gray Mule was officially named Edgin as it was at first a place where the trains stopped to put on more water for its engines which I guess were steam. I am not sure of who started calling it Gray Mule but it never showed up on maps, and probably neither did Edgin. It was always called Gray Mule by locals and probably everyone else except the train folks... more - Billie Mayhall Freeman, September 16, 2010 - Gray Mule, Texas 9-15-10
Gray Mule Old Photos
"I started school at Gray Mule and my Dad ran the store there for a short time. I have some photos of the railroad tunnel and also of the front of the old store and the large brick walls around parts of it. My sisters and I (there were four of us) are sitting on the wall with three of us in the crocheted dresses our mother had made for us. There is also a photo of my Dad standing in front of the store's plate glass window. There is a small part shown of the Cotton Gin that was owned or run by the Keisling family. Margaret Keisling married my first cousin.
We lived beyond Quitaque Creek on a farm before that then moved into Quitaque where we four girls all graduated high school, two with honors. The Great Depression / "dust bowl days" were just ahead of us and life became much harder after that. Those days were "The Good Ol' Days."
I love your website and going down memory lane regarding many of the old towns that no longer survive in the Texas Panhandle.
I have searched for, and found, many places on your website, where we lived, lived near, visited relatives or friends, played school sports in competition, and for other occasions, that no longer exist. I printed most of them out and have a stack that is very high. I read all of them and treasure them. You have made my day on many occasions.
Thank you so much for that pleasure and for your good work. " - Billie Mayhall Freeman, Naples, Florida, September 2010 - Goodnight, Texas 9-1-10
Was glad to see your information about Goodnight, TX. My grandparents lived up the road from the cemetery for around 31 years � late 1940 or so to about 1971 - David Clarence Peden and my grandmother Annie. The house is gone now but we spent almost every Christmas and summer there. Down the White Deer highway lived the Sutton Family - and I cannot for the life of me remember Mr. Sutton�s name. He and his wife and one of their grandchildren are buried in the Goodnight cemetery. Virgil and Verdie Tyler who lived across that highway to the west were frequent visitors to my grandparents house and likewise. I remember my brother and cousins going to the Tyler�s to watch the filming of HUD � or at least see if they could get a glimpse of the cast. Mr. and Mrs. Newberry ran the general store and post office just off of Hwy 287 over the train tracks. One of our favorite activities after dinner was to all walk down to the cemetery entrance and back � that was our entertainment! At the time there were two abandoned houses across the road at different intervals and as kids we would make up all sorts of ghost stories about those houses. Those were the good times! - Nancy Kelly, Denton, Texas, August 31, 2010 - Dido, Texas 8-26-10
At the north end of Eagle Mountain lies a town that is forgotten but not lost. We found the slab of the post office at the corner of Peden Road and FM 1220. The growth of Fort Worth is moving north and the growth of Alliance Airport is moving south. Right in the middle of both of those growth booms lies Dido, Texas.
The oldest church in Tarrent County sits here, the Dido Methodist Church. The Dido Women�s Club are the caretakers of the community center and the Dido announcements sign. Anchoring the town is Blue Bayou.
It is a ghost town in all its character and charm. All it needs is a mayor and a post office box and it will be back to its glory days. [It is] still rich in the historical sense, as well as the ghostly. Rumors are the bridge at Indian Creek is where Cullen Davis threw his earthly goods into the lake. Dido dogs still roam but are eerily quiet for they never seem to bark. There are many parts of the town where the noise of parties can be heard, but there are no houses or inhabitants on those spots.
It�s the most well-kept secret in all of Texas. - Dennis Heerwagen, August 26, 2010
Not any more. - Ed - Sunshine Hill 8-22-10
My Aunt Euna and Uncle Walter Beck lived at Sunshine Hill when he worked for Mr. Witcher who was in the oil business. My two sisters went to school at the one room school house that was behind my Aunt's house. My family lived somewhere in Sunshine Hill but I was too young to remember where.
We visited the site about 12 years ago and the school house was still there but I don't know about the house my Aunt and Uncle lived in. We spent many wonderful days there and have so many good memories. My sisters and I graduated from Iowa Park High School. My oldest in 1950, the second on 1953 and I in 1954.
Thank you for the information I was able to get from your magazine. - Sincerely, Beverly Talley Jackson, August 21, 2010 - Lometa, Texas 8-22-10
I grew up on a ranch south of Lometa near the ghost town of Nix west of Lampasas. As a kid I took a picture of an abandoned victorian mansion about two miles south of Lometa. I lost the picture but Ive never been able to forget that house. It was torn down many years ago but thought perhaps someone may have information or a picture of it? It was located on Co Rd 55 off Fm Rd 3415 off 183/190 south going towards Lampasas. It was symmetrical in design with two big stone chimneys & two turrets with steeples on each side of the house. A covered porch with turned posts wrapped around the front of the house and a balcony was over the top of the porch with a pediment front off the center of the roof. There was lots of fancy woodwork, cut shingles, etc. Not typical for most houses around Lampasas county! - Dave Porter, August 20, 2010 - Houston, Texas 8-14-10
Subject: Gulf Oil building Houston Texas
Thank you so much for Texas Esapes. My family and I have planned many day trips from there.
Gulf Oil Building photo was taken by my Grandfather W.W. Bryant sometime in the early 1970's. I found the picture in a box full of photos he and my Grandmother had left to us. Unfortunately gulf air wreaked havoc on it. I restored it to this condition using photoshop. Best regards. - Walter S. Fuller, Conroe, Texas, August 13, 2010 - Shamrock, Texas 8-12-10
Subject: Shamrock Cemetery & The Wild Bunch
"In the Byler plot in the Shamrock cemetery there's an unmarked grave--at least it was still unmarked the last time I was there. It contains Viana (or Vivian, there seems to be some question about her first name) Byler Carver & her stillborn infant. She was 17 when she died. She was the wife of William R. 'Will' Carver of Wild Bunch/Hole In The Wall Gang fame & the aunt of Laura Bullion, who may have been married to Ben Kilpatrick, also of Wild Bunch fame.
Carver was shot & killed by the Sutton County Sheriff, a deputy, & 2 constables, & is buried in Sonora in what's called the 'No Name Grave.' That's because the only thing on the gravestone is April 2, 1901. Kilpatrick was killed by Wells, Fargo agent David A. Trousdale in March of 1912, while he was attempting to rob the Galveston, Harrisburg, & San Antonio #9 at Baxter's Curve in Terrell County. He, along with his partner, is buried in Sanderson. Laura Bullion never remarried, supported herself as a seamstress in Memphis, Tennessee, & died in 1961--the last of the Wild Bunch to die." - C. F. Eckhardt, June 25, 2010 - Katie Elder Her True Story
Subject: Doc & Kate photos
I much enjoyed the writeup on Kate Elder. I noted with interest your evidence that the photos were wedding photos and I just wanted to comment on your evidence that the lapel flowers likely being gardenia that would be in bloom in April. I don't think it is likely that he would have found Gardenia's commonly grow in St. Louis. It is too cold for them there. Gardenia's are perennial shrubs that can grow in hardiness zones to as low as 8b (10-15 degrees F). St Louis is hardiness zone 6a (-10 to -5 degrees F) . Gardenia's would be killed by cold in the St Louis climate. Furthermore, even in the warmer 8b zone Gardenia's don't normally flower as early as April. They are late spring to early summer bloomers June-July in my experience.
Old fashioned Camellias can grow in hardiness zone 7 and do bloom in the early spring. So they may be a better possibility for the flowers. However, it looks like there are two small flowers- much smaller than either gardenias or camellias normally are.
I hope this information is helpful in your historical investigation. - Ray, May 01, 2010 - Subject: Calhoun County Courthouse 7-30-10
On the page, Calhoun County Courthouse, the 1857 courthouse has been misidentified as the courthouse at Indianola. The courthouse in the picture was built in 1887 and was in Port Lavaca. It was built by E. L. Miller. The Calhoun County jail building can be seen in the left background... - George Anne Cormier, Director, Calhoun County Museum 301 S. Ann Port Lavaca, TX 77979, July 29, 2010 - Opdyke, Texas 7-14-10
Just a line to say that Opdyke, Texas is 5 miles EAST (not south) of Llevelland on Hwy 114 a half mile west of Fm 2646. The store/gas station was open until the mid 70's and the Opdyke Coop Gin was the last business to close.
I have lived at or near three different ghost towns during my life. My family lived at Frankel City (Andrews county) in the Halliburton camp during the mid to late 50's. Then moved to a farm south of Draw, Texas (Lynn county) when my father started farming in 1961. Finally we moved to a farm between Llevelland and Opdyke in 1964 in Hockley county. I seem to have a knack for closing small towns.
I have enjoyed reading the stories and looking at pictures of Texas on your web site. - George Childress Jr., July 13, 2010 - **Subject: Hamilton County Bridges**7-12-10
Let me say, first off, that I love your site; I live in east Tennessee now but I grew up in north central TX (rural Johnson, Hill, and Somervell counties) and your magazine/website is one of the first places I turn to when I am feeling deeply homesick. Please keep doing what you're doing.
Anyway, I do have a specific reason I am writing to you today. I was looking at the series your photographer, Barclay Gibson, did of bridges in Hamilton County, TX, which are lovely. His comments on the thorny undergrowth, in particular, made me smile. We just called them briars, growing up; I believe they are a Smilax species but I'm not certain. Anyway, it is indeed a tenaciously evil plant. He should try to remove some sometime! You can't just cut them down and expect them not to come right back, and their root system consists of these hard, woody tubers... heh, sorry, thinking about them got me carried away. Here on this side of the Mississippi, we have kudzu, which is a nightmare as far as invasive plants go, but those briars are native, and those thorns are vicious and I'd honestly rather try to stop kudzu. :)
But yes, I suppose if you could pass my appreciation on to Mr. Gibson, and to your other contributors, I'd be obliged. - Regards, Tracey A. Jones, May 11, 2009 - Concord, Texas 7-7-10
Subject: A thank you for your Concord Texas story
My mother is a direct decendant of Col TL Mott. She remembers Concord, Texas fondly. If your were a Mott, Jones, Horsnby or Hopkins you were most likley related somehow to someone connected to that town. I often walked the new cemetery site as a child as June Dinners are still held there every year. I often think of my family history there. My Great Grandmother married in the Motts and is buried there along with my Great Grandfather Ocie Earl Mott. the grandson of Col TL Mott. Concord Baptist Church (founded by R.L Mott still stand at that new location right beside a newly errected Church building. I want to thank you for including this town in your studies. I have walked the old road has a child when I was younger. I have even found a watermelon growing by the old church stairs at the time. The river was way down that year. It is totally amazing to read on the internet my family history through your website. I again Thank you so much, it always stirs my interest of family history. - July 06, 2010 - Swastika, Texas 5-5-10
The swastika or 'sun wheel' is a sacred symbol among American Indians. That's why the 45th Infantry--the Oklahoma National Guard--used it as their patch. It was replaced by a stylized thurnderbird. It was featured on the rosette of the warbonnet of the 'Screaming Sioux,' which was the squadron emblem for the Lafayette Escadrille, made up of volunteer Americans who flew for the French (it was actually the air arm of the French Foreign Legion) during WW I. It was also, prior to WW II, used widely by the Boy Scouts in the US, but not overseas. Today it is illegal to display a swastika in most of Europe.
During WW II, fighter pilots in Europe painted small swastikas on their planes--one for each German plane shot down. Bomber pilots often painted small swastikas on their planes for each mission flown. Scale models of those aircraft, today, are marketed all over the world. Instead of swastikas, the decal 'score marks' are usually small yellow crosses on those models. However, on models of planes from the Pacific the decals are accurate--representations of Japan's 'rising sun' flag.
Captain Bong's P-38 had 50 rising suns on it. He was the highest-scoring ace in US history. He was brought back to the States to train pilots and was killed when a P-80 Shooting Star, the first US operational jet fighter, flamed out on takeoff. He was testing the new aircraft. - C. F. Eckhardt, May 05, 2010 - **Millsap, Texas**3-27-10
"I was born in Weatherford, was raised in Millsap and different branches of my family have been in this area since the mid 1800s. As a child I played in the �Old Millsap Cabin� on the �Old Millsap Place� when it was located on Grindstone Creek just off the present day Wilson Bend Road several miles outside of town.
There are some old stories about Indian attacks associated with this place and there was a huge old oak tree in what was then its front yard where it was rumored that Fuller hung seven dead Indians killed in one of the fights. My brother and I, would hunt arrow heads there and imagine scenes of the battles when we would find one.
The cabin you show as the: �Fuller Millsap Cabin, c.1852, the first building in Millsap� has always been rumored to be the �Old Post Office� and was associated with Ben Porter but it was never even near Millsap. It was located on the old stage line between Millsap and Mineral Wells, and to my knowledge, its �post office� status was only a story. We could never figure out how people in that time would travel 7 or 8 miles outside of town just for mail.
There are still a few of the old timers around here but most of them that I heard the stories from have long since passed away and it is getting harder and harder to even find anyone here that is from the area.
My father is probably one of the best sources for local history; he was born in Millsap in the 1930s and lived in Millsap and Brock most of his life." - Wayne Armstrong Millsap, Texas, March, 2010 - Best, Texas
Dear TE, My grandfather, Richard Baker Jr., was the District Attorney in Best about 1925. I still have his business card. He was getting ready to bust some "dishonest" oil guys about 1927, and they laid an ambush for him coming back from San Angelo. He managed to evade them but they caught him in the street the next day and broke his jaw.� My grandma, who was from Indiana and met him when he was chasing Pancho Villa, said she was done. They went to have his jaw fixed at Walter Reed in DC and they left Texas forever. Dad's great grandfather was a leading citizen in Crockett, Texas. It was a tough way to leave Texas. - Tom Baker, Kilmarnock, Virginia, January 28, 2010 - Bluff Dale, Texas 12-26-09
My ancestors settled in this area. My grandfather was born in 1872 in Bluff Dale area. Great uncle E.B Dick Dennis was wounded by Indians. Some reletives are buried in Bluff Dale, some in Granbury. Great grandfather helped cleared the area of Indians.
I had the privilege of seeing what was the last herd of wild horses in the late 30s early 40s. - Wayne Dennis, December 07, 2009. - Zigzag, Texas 12-6-09
The caption to one of the pictures mentioned the Black Creek Baptist church, where my grandparents went to church (and my mother currently attends), is located at the corner of Co Rd 660 and Co Rd 761. Approximately 1.5 miles north on 660 if you turn right from 2200W. It is most certainly 'notable'! It is over 100 yrs old. I was baptized there myself! - Kevin D. Jackson, Afghanistan, December 01, 2009 - Anarene, Texas Tidbit 11-30-09
Anarene was the name they gave to Archer City as being the town in 'The Last Picture Show'. - Mike Price, November 30, 2009 - Subject: The Bandera Tragedy Tree 10-28-09
Dear Editor, I Just discovered your article regarding the Bandera Tragedy Tree, my relative is Andrew Jackson Van Winkle: Military Service: Co. D 18th Regt.. Texas Vol Cav (CSA) of Bell County, Texas. Andrew is the son of Thomas H. Benton Van Winkle and Elizabeth White Smart, the daughter of John Smart. I believe, Andrew Jackson Van Winkle and John Smart were victims in your story. Please let the other families, have my e-mail address m_hester@verizon.net, so that we can compare notes. Thanks again for your stories, it's great preserving history! - Melanie Hester, Lexington, Texas, October 20, 2009 - Phillips, Texas
Phillips, Texas was not destroyed by the explosion in the 80's. The town was wiped out due to the death of Mr. Whittenburg who owned the land the town sat on. In his will there a clause stating that the property that the township sat on could not be sold without the approval by the Citizens of Phillips. The children (the ones who ran M & M Cattle Company) went to court and had the will changed so that they could sell the property to Phillips Petroleum. Once the sale was final Phillips began evicting the Citizens. The citizens fought back by hiring F. Lee Bailey to fight the eviction. This injunction staved off the eviction about 6 months. Several homes were moved to a location just south of Electric City on a the rim of the Canadian River Canyon and others were moved to Stinnett and Amarillo.
I was an older teenager when this happened and my Grandparents lived in Phillips at 212 Cook St. Their house now is in Stinnett. The explosion that occurred was in the unit of the plant call the Cat Cracker. My Grandfather was a boiler maker on that unit and was one of the persons that went in and did the body recovery after the explosion. There was damage in the town. Mostly blownout and cracked windows, but that was it. I can also safely say if the sale of the property did not happen, Phillips Petroleum would have gotten the town shutdown for environmental reasons. One being an open sewage system in the town. Sewer water had run into the Canadian River all the years I can remember. I truly miss the old town and wish it still existed." - Victor Taylor, October 17, 2009 - Simmons, Texas 9-24-09
"I was in third grade in the Simmons school in 1945-1946. It closed that year. The school was brick but it was one story, not two. The previous school was of wood and had two stories. It burned and, after that, the new school was built. My mother attended the old school. As a teen I helped tear down the brick school building. We salvaged the bricks. My dad and I expanded our farm house with some of these bricks. The Methodist parsonage in George West, Texas was built from some of these bricks. - Philip Hudson, September 24, 2009 - Winnie, Texas 8-12-09
Subject: Winnie Delight
Dear TE, A couple of years ago I was browsing Texas Towns for my church youth choir because we were going to take a WORLD TOUR OF TEXAS TOUR and visit such towns as China, Athens, Paris, Carthage, Italy�.so on and so forth, and I came up on your site, and when I clicked on Winnie (not because of the world tour, but because it�s my home town) I was delighted and surprised to see the neon sign from Winnie Pharmacyon the Winnie page. You see, that was my Dad�s store, and he served as Pharmacist from 1962 till 1988 when he retired. Co pharmacists were John Gaudet and my father, Gerald Barrios. I spend many years at the Pharmacy as a child growing up (the new one was built in 1965) and the neon sign was on the original store across the street and moved there when the new store was open. It brought back great memories, and the sign is such a classic. Thanks for adding it to the Winnie page and for the memories it stirred!!! - Barry Barrios, Katy, Texas, A former Winnie, August 12, 2009 - Conway, Texas 8-12-09
Back in about 1998 we were returning from visiting Kansas. There was a snow storm. We made it fine until we got to I-40 out of Amarillo. Strangest thing. As the storm blew through, it totally covered the westbound lanes while eastbound was all clear. Guess the interstate acted kind of like a snowfence, all the snow fell on WB. We were in a traffic line that was miles long and our gas gage was on E. I never was so glad to see an exit which was to Conway. At the time there was one station that had gas. We got just enough to make it to Amarillo. Every time I go by Conway I look at that station, now closed. It is right next to the Bugg Ranch. - Barclay Gibson, August 11, 2009 - Benficklin, Texas 7-30-09
Subject: The Historical Marker is Not Where the Town Once Was
The town of Benficklin was not located where the park is, and the proper way to spell the name of the town is as one word, even though it was spelled both ways in the 1880s and since.�I don�t remember what the official post office name was.�Francis Corbett Taylor was a close friend of Ben Ficklin and supposedly said that he didn�t want anyone to misunderstand which Ficklin the town was named for, so he spelled it as one word.
When I was growing up during the 1950s, I lived on a farm south of San Angelo on the Christoval Road, near Benficklin.�We frequently drove around on Sunday afternoons.� My grandparents had rented the former site of Benficklin to graze cows during the 1920s and 1930s.� At that time, there were still some foundations located on the land.�A housing addition has been built on it now�in fact, the whole area is covered with houses. It�s the low area along the river west of the granite marker on the hill, on the west side of Benficklin Road.�There is an old dam called Metcalfe Dam on the South Concho immediately west of the town�s location.�I once drove Miss Mary Bain Spence, whose mother was a sister Charles B. Metcalife, down a road into the area where the town was located and to Metcalfe Dam.�There wasn�t a house anywhere at that time, probably about 1970.�Her mother had told her about the town many times.�The Metcalfe family lived at the stage station and some of them drowned in the Benficklin Flood of 1882.
The Benficklin Stage Stand was where South Bryant Throughway crosses the South Concho.�In fact, part of the site must have been destroyed to build the road.�The marker for the stage stand at Benficklin park was located in some trees near a public bathroom, west of the Throughway by the road that crosses the old Benficklin Causeway.�That was where part of the stage stand was located, according to the late Penrose Metcalfe who was the son of Charles B. Metcalfe.�- Bill Green, Curator of History, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, July 30, 2009 - Kimball, Texas 7-4-09
Dear TE, After reading your article on Kimball ghost town, in Kimball bend park I decided to take a trip out there. It is not open to the public, as such. It is in a camp ground that requires a $20 dollar admission fee. Overnight camping only, no day use. The man at the gate let us drive through only if we promised to go right in and back out (he seemed perterbed we would even ask). The wall in the photo on your site is now surrounded by a chain link fence ruining any photographs or close examination. I was not able to get close enough to see the rest of the ruins. I just thought I would let you know to warn people� I burned a lot of gas getting out there only to have to turn right around and come back. - Steve Watkins, Ft. Worth, July 4, 2009 - Mesquite, Texas 6-19-09
In your information about Mesquite, the school didn't close until 1952. My home place is across the road from the school and I went to school there through 1952 when they closed all the little schools in Borden County and we all went to school in Gail. The last teachers there were Mr. and Mrs. Bass. Can't remember his first name, but their sons names were George and Roger. I have many fond memories of good times there. Some of the kids that went to school there, still live in the community. Thanks very much. - Nancy Telchik Edwards, Mesquite, Texas (Borden County), June 19, 2009 - Taylor, Texas 3-11-09
Subject: Blazimar Hotel
Those of us born and raised in Taylor know that the Blazimar (spelling correction) was named after Bland, Zizinia and Marse. We are unsure of who the Zilkers might be as they or unknown to Taylorites. By the way, I checked the Taylor Public Library archives to be certain of my information and the spelling of The Blazimar. Thank you, Ella Jez, March 10, 2009 - Stairtown, Texas 3-8-09
Dear TE, This is Fred Stair. I was amazed to see anything on the web about Stairtown, Texas. The town was founded by my grandfather Oscar F. Stair, born in 1867. The family still owns a part of the townsite (mostly populated by Mesquite trees). Grandfather came from Bristol, Tennessee to Prairie Lea, Texas via Alabama. When he was a boy he moved to Luling and founded Stairs Store. It was a dry goods/ grocery / hardware store and operated into the late 1960s, managed by my Uncle Neal Stair. I currently reside in faaaaar West Texas. - Fred Stair, Fort Davis, March 06, 2009 - Ganado, Texas 2-22-09
Subject: His name is "Tex"...
You can imagine the surprise and pride that my husband had when he was searching for an article in our Ganado community, when he ran across a picture on Texas Escapes of our baby "Tex" and his sidekick "Freckles". Tex has been part of our family since 1999, when we bought him at 5 months old. We wanted a longhorn to put on our own "little piece of Texas". Since then, his picture has been taken by scores of folks who drive up and down Hwy. 172. Some have driven up the drive and ask to pet him and get close up shots and he's always a willing subject. I always knew that someday he would be on a postcard or something similar and here we are! Today he's approx. 1200 lbs with a horn spread of 8' 1" (including the curl). We invite anyone to come on by and visit.... Thanks for making our boy a celebrity! - Clyde & Gail McDonald, Ganado, TX, February 22, 2009 - Toyah, Texas 2-19-09
My Great Grandparents are James Mortica Johnson and Mary Elizabeth Johnson and my Grandfather is John Isaac Johnson. They moved to Toyah I believe around 1900. and many of my aunts were born there. I believe we share the same Great Grand Parents!...... Mort was a judge in Toyah from 1906 to 1908 and my Grandfather Ike was a Texas Ranger... - Alma Birdell Johnson's son Pete Pisciotta of Reno NV, February 10, 2009 - Subject: Richard Gaertner's Story 2-18-09
Richard lives in the Shady Oaks Nursing Home in Moulton, as he did when I wrote the article; he was 96 at the time and still driving. Just wanted to let you know that he just turned 101 - he's in good health but I don't think he drives anymore. - Murray Montgomery, February 18, 2009 - Subject: Landa Park 2-13-09
The Landa Park bathhouse underwent extensive renovations in 2008 and is now a modern and family-friendly facility. Thank you for putting out public information on our facilities. - Sheri Reinhold, City of New Braunfels Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator, February 13, 2009 - Subject: George Campbell Childress 2-1-09
I discovered [Texas Escapes] just last week and have found it to be quite informative and rich in content. I did notice an error, however, in [your article] on 10 Things You Should Know About George Campbell Childress: Thomas Rusk did not die by throwing himself overboard in Galveston. He committed suicide in his own home in Nacogdoches; being despondent over his wife's death and over a tumor at the base of his neck. The gentleman that threw himself (or fell overboard) into Galveston Bay was 1838 Republic of Texas presidential candidate (and sitting Chief Justice) James Collinsworth. - Bob Liles, February 01, 2009 - Subject: Swisher County Courthouse 2-1-09
The old courthouse was severely damaged in a fire and HAD to be rebuilt. No one here likes the new style, but something had to be done--it wasn't destroyed arbitrarily. - Joe Weaver, Director Tulia Chamber of Commerce Swisher County Industrial Foundation, August 12, 2008 - Coolidge, Texas 1-20-09
Dear TE, I just queried Coolidge, Texas and got your website story and pictures. I can't tell you what grand memories that brought back. My grandparents and many of their siblings and children lived in Coolidge. The "Hancock Appliance" sign hung over the store that belonged to my great uncle...Joe Wallace Hancock. My grandparents lived (for as long as I knew them) at the NW corner of 3rd and Jester. Their house is long since gone. My great-grandparents, grandparents and my father are buried in the Coolidge cemetery. I spent many happy times in Coolidge (and lived there for 1.5 years as a child). Thank you for the article and pictures. I remember how Coolidge was in the late 40's and on into the early 60's. I still have kinfolk who live there. Thanks for the memories. - Brenda Sutterfield, Tulsa, Oklahoma, January 20, 2009 - Kress, Texas 10-11-08
Kress of New Deal
I just wanted to share the fact that I was actually named after this town. My parents grew up in Lubbock and although I was raised in the small town of New Deal, we have a family tradition of names beginning with K, so I became Kress. I have been to Kress a few times but all I can remember is the Alsups [store]. When I was younger people would tell me that I should run for mayor of Kress. I am just not old enough yet! - Kress Hoopes, Odessa Texas, October 10, 2008 - Valentine to Valentine 10-9-08
My father, Pedro "Pete" Barragan grew up in Valentine from the early 1930's until he graduated college back in the 1950's. As I grew up, we regularly took trips every summer back to Valentine to visit my father's aunts (Augustina, Ernestina, Tomasa, Viviana, Agapeta and a few whose names I forget). We also visited Dad's uncle, Rodrigo Barragan. "Uncle Rod" owned and operated the Texaco service station in the middle of town. I have many fond memories of family visits and still get back to Valentine every year. Although the Barragan family no longer lives there, the Barragan heart and spirit are still there. - John P. Barragan, Los Angeles, California, September 29, 2008 - Temple Texas 8-6-08
In the section about the cellar bookstore...... The name of that bookstore is "The Book Cellar" My kids think it's a real treat to go there! I enjoy your website! - Paula Jones, August 06, 2008 - Noodle, Texas 8-4-08
I was actually raised in Noodle and went to school there as were my brothers. I was married in the Noodle Church of Christ and actually lived in the house next door on the south side of the church. The house was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Tony and was torn down.
We were taught in school that the word Noodle came from an Indian scout that was in search of water and he came across the creek just north of Noodle and it was dry. In his language noodle meant dry. - Melissa Nichols Beasley, Wichita Falls, Texas, August 04, 2008 - Falfurrias, Texas 7-31-08
I graduated from Fal Hi in May of 1952, and that's me leading the Marching Band. I was Drum Major for the school years 1950-51 and 1951-52.
The FIRST movie theater, called the "Cactus", was on Main St. near the Creamery. After the Pioneer was built it was kept open for awhile, showing only the B-rated "oaters", while the "new" Pioneer Theater showed the "latest" shows. It was closed after a relatively short time. I don't know what happened to the building it was in. Then, the Alameda was opened across Hwy.281, and, as your site shows, it is no longer in operation. Thanks! - Carleen Frazier, July 31, 2008 - La Porte, Texas 7-17-08
I really appreciate your website, it's very interesting and fun to read. One small correction about your La Porte, TX section is that the Washburn Tunnel connects Pasadena with the East End of Houston (near Channelview) via Federal Rd. The Baytown Tunnel (I don't think it was ever named after anyone or anything) connected Baytown with La Porte via 225/146 (where the Fred Hartmann bridge is located now). I lived in La Porte for about 10 years and my Dad grew up there. If you get a chance, drive down Main St. in La Porte to see a lot of the great old buildings in town. The old theater is a church now that my Dad used to go to when he was a kid in the late '50s. El Ranchero restaurant is some of the best Tex-Mex you can have on the Gulf Coast. Thanks, Tim Holmes, Jr., Houston, Texas, July 17, 2008 - Subject: Woman Hollering Creek 7-8-08
The Myth Is: A Women drowned her children and she was crying because she killed them. I've heard that you can hear her calling their names and weeping, I guess you'd say. The Indian Myth Is Not True. - Crystal Martin, July 08, 2008 - Orla, Texas 6-26-08
Subject: Orla Baptist Mission
James Hughes was pastor of this church in 1953 � pic is of James, Sallie & Janet Hughes. We would drive out from Pecos on Sunday morning, and quite often were invited to someone�s home for lunch and the afternoon instead of driving back to Pecos and back out for the evening service. We were there when Hall Olds had the only service station and caf�. We now live in Conroe, TX and I retired from Alsay Inc (industrial water well drilling co) after 20 plus years as comptroller there. I was born and raised in Pecos � graduating from Pecos Hi in 1949. - Sallie Hughes, September 12, 2007 - Subject: Gallery of Forgotten Bridges 6-19-08
What great photos!! I was doing some research on an old bridge in Ballinger and happened upon your site. There is one bridge you identify in your Forgotten Gallery as the Concho River bridge � I believe it is also known as the Lone Wolf Bridge. Keep up the great work � very interesting and educational! - Kathy Keane, San Angelo, June 18, 2008 - Terrell County Courthouse and Eagle 6-14-08
The picture of the original Terrell County, Texas, courthouse showing the eagle atop the parapet and another picture showing an eagle atop a rock and claiming to be the "recovered original eagle" referred to above is totally inaccurate. Measuring the width of the wingspan of the eagle atop the parapet of the original courthouse compared to the width of the courthouse, then measuring the width of the wingspan atop the rock in front of the courthouse that claims to be the "recovered eagle" shows the inaccuracy of the statement and fact that a lot of money was wasted to purchase a much smaller eagle and a lot of truth was wasted in claiming that it was the "recovered original eagle". Do the measurements yourself! - J.A. Gilbreath, June 10, 2008 - Soash, Texas 6-10-08
There are still Soash people there my parents Howard and Pearl Armstrong. My dad, went to Soash elementary school there and to this day my parents still live in eastern Soash community. They are not the only ones that live there. Mammie Merrick lives across the street from the old bank building. She and her deceased husband Bob Merrick, I believe lived there almost their entire married life together. Bob passed away earlier this year, but Mammie still lives there with one of their 8 children. All the rest has died or have moved away like I have done in years past. But the Armstrongs and the Merricks will live there until they die. Believe me I have tried to get my parents to move closer to Big Spring, but they are not leaving Soash, Texas. Thanks. - Diann Owens, June 10, 2008 - Subject: Earl Ables article 5-28-08
Thanks for the memories. I was stationed at Lackland in 1957 and 1958 and sort of adopted by Dr Passmore and his family who were members of First Presbyterian Church and who lived in Alamo Heights. Earl Able's, which was not far from where they lived, became a hangout for his kids and I. The restaurant and signs were already there then and were not new. I would estimate that they had been around from as early as 1950, although probably changed from time to time. One I remember was over the door as you left. It said:
I EAT HERE TOO!
EARL ABLE
The food was great, but what I liked most was the welcoming atmosphere. It reminded me of home and of Jack Trayer's on Moore Street in Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee, where I grew up. Everybody's hometown should have such a place. - John McDaniel, April 17, 2008 - Subject: Hanging tree in Shelby County 5-28-08
The article written about the hanging tree in Shelby County says that the County sheriff and City Marshall were Charlie B. Christian and Bryan McCallum. Charlie B. Christian, my father, was born in 1921. He was the sheriff in the 50's and 60's and deputy sheriff in the late 40's. - May 26, 2008 - Subject: Hatching Green headed Mallards 5-26-08
Ed, Interestingly, I was searching the web for information on hatching mallard eggs and your short story popped up as priority under my search parameters. My folks had a Mallard hen nesting at their front door. After laying 14 eggs, the neighborhood cats sniffed her out and she ultimately abandoned her brood. I called a buddy you had hatched chickens in the past and borrowed his incubator. Results and still unknown as I am just two weeks in. I got such a kick out of your story that I printed it for my dad to read. Your father's reaction was so typical of what my father would have done if faced with the same scenario. I love your writing style. Great job! And please continue... Sincerely, Drew G. Mullert, New Bedford, MA, May 22, 2008 - Atascosa County Courthouse 5-7-08
I was pleased to find your page with several renderings of the Atascosa County court house, past and present. I was rather amused at the "legend" you repeated about moving the court house from Pleasanton to Jourdanton. Actually, only the records were moved (stolen, as I heard it ) and the old court house in Pleasanton was still in its place when I was a child, serving as the Pleasanton City Hall. By the time it was demolished to make way for the widening of US 281 through town in the mid 1950's, the upper floor had been condemned, as I recall, but the city offices were still housed there. The present city hall stands on what is left of the old grounds of the Pleasanton Court House.
That "legend" may be a version of a story a gentleman told on himself . When he first came to Atascosa County, it was about the time that the county seat had been moved, and feelings were still very raw about that event. It so happened that at least two other county seats were being moved about the same time, and this hapless gentleman suggested to a group of Pleasanton citizens at a "friendly" gabfest that perhaps they should just put all the courthouses on railroad cars and roll them around that way until they decided for sure where they should go. He said that he hardly got the words out of his mouth before every man within hearing of him had drawn their pistols on him. Only after the most abject and profuse apology was he able to convince those men to holster their weapons. He never made that mistake again. I happened to have read this story just today in a book published by the Atascosa History Committee in 1985. Thanks again for a good page. - Marcy Porter, May 06, 2008 - Alamo Heights, Texas 4-24-08
Re-the trolley stop by Rodriguez-he also did work on the old mill in North Little Rock Arkansas-which is in the opening scene of "Gone with the Wind." - George Pecan, April 23, 2008 - Subject: Ruidosa, Tx church picture 4-18-08
The picture of the church ruins is of a church in Ruidosa, Tx as you are leave heading toward Candelaria, Tx - Florencio Garcia, March 26, 2008 - Click, Texas 4-17-08
Click, Texas was named for my great-great grandfather. I have an envelope that was kept by family members that has a Click, Texas postmark. There is quite a bit of history about the Click and Walker family that has been donated to the Llano, Texas city library. Many of the family members are buried in the Comanche West Cemetery just 'south' of the former town. The name of the cemetery is sometimes referred to as the Click and Walker cemetery. - Anna Galloway, Austin, Texas, April 17, 2008 - Subject: Architect Thomas Lovell 4-17-08
The �Bunch� (sic) Miller noted in this story is Bluford West Miller. He was the son of Bluford Miller, a Cherokee rancher in the Creek Nation, and Lizzie Anderson, a Creek (Muskogee) tribal member. His ranch, the IX, was founded by his grandfather Rider Fields after the removal of the 5 Civilized Tribes to Indian Territory, and is located south of Tulsa, in present-day Okmulgee County, OK. It is still active today and run by his descendents... - Steven Miller, Austin, April 12, 2008 - Texon, Texas 4-17-08
I was born and raised in Texon. The old building pictured with the mailboxes in front was actually the Post Office for many years. It was owned by my parents and leased by the Postal Service. The front half of the building was the Post Office. My Mother, Bertha Delz, was the postmaster for many years and retired there. - Ronnie Delz, April 03, 2008 - Donna, Texas
Subject: Central Elementary School 4-17-08
It's a beautiful, old building. I was heartsick some years back when I heard it was to be torn down. Somehow it was rescued. The brick is gorgeous. I was a first grader there in 1949. It certainly was NOT intimidating. It's a lovely old building with some architectural design, instead of the square blah buildings seen nowadays. All of my siblings and lots of friends went to school there, too. I WAS very grateful, though, to see photograph by Mr. Taylor on your web site. I'm writing an article about my first grade experience in old CE. It was fun to see it again. We haven't lived in Donna for more than 25 years. Thanks, Linda Smith, April 09, 2008 - **Subject: Patriots by Mike Cox "Texas Tales"**3-27-08
Mr. Cox omitted a famous veteran of the American Revolutionary War who came to Texas. It was "Elder" John Parker. John PARKER was a Revolutionary Soldier, Serial # S32435. He served in the 2nd and 13t h Regiment of the Continental Army of VA. He had a brother named Daniel and a sister named Susannah. After the war, John and Sarah White-Parker moved to Elbert Co., GA. Here John was made an Elder in the Primitive Baptist Church. He moved to Bedford Co., TN and lived there for about twelve y ears, and then moved his family to Crawford County, IL in 1814. It was here on the 28th day of July, 1821 that Sarah "SALLY" WHITE died. It was also here that JOHN remarried. He married SALLY PINSON-DUTY, the 21st of March 1825. He and his wife were killed at the Parker's Fort Massacre, in Robertson's Colony now Limestone County, on May 19, 1836.
His application for a RS Pension was made while in ILL before he came to TX in 1833.
His grand daughter is known in TX history - Cynthia Ann Parker mother to the famous last chief of Comanches - Quanah Parker.
Thank you, Jim Yarbrough, 4th great grandson of Elder John Parker, March 27, 2008 - Odds, Texas 3-13-08
Subject: Odds Store
My father Earl Hancock operated the Odds store from 1934-1943 and during that time there were two other stores. As a child I can remember wagon loads of cotton waiting to be ginned. There was a lot of activity around the gin in those days. The Great Depression brought hard times to the area. Also, I remember that a young man with his wife and young child came to our store one day after walking from Thornton, TX. He had been hurt while taking his family off a train in that town. They were very hungry and needed help. The young man asked my Dad if there was any work he could do to pay for a meal for his family. My Dad said "Go pick up that broom over there by the wall." The young man did as he was told. My dad then said, "Now put the broom down." The family was well fed and were bedded down in the cotton seed warehouse across the road from our store. While leaving the next morning the young man got my Dad's mailing address. Ten years later my Dad received a check from California with a note thanking him for the help. Thanks, Earl Hancock Jr., Woodway, Texas, March 13, 2008 - Hochheim, Texas 3-10-08 Subject: Valentin Hoch
- Golden, Texas 3-8-08
Subject: Golden Memories - Ira, Texas 3-7-08
Subject: Re: Benjamin Harrison's son in Ira, Texas
I love your site & read some of it every day. It's a great way to plan little road excursions around the state & I love to cemetery hunt. Reading about Ira was interesting, but my question is that if President Benjamin Harrison was born in 1833 & he wasn't married until 1853, how could he have had a son who was killed by the Indians in 1849? I would think that would be impossible. Are you sure that you don't mean President William Henry Harrison (our 9th President)? Thank you for your help in this matter & keep up the great work!!! Sincerely, Ms. Kay Garsea, February 19, 2008 - Corinth Baptist Church & Cemetery 3-4-08
Subject: Willie D. Garrison
As a relative of the late Willie D. Garrison I feel obligated to notify you that an error exists in the article as it reads. The aforementioned Great Uncle of mine did indeed serve as listed, however, he [did not die in Vietnam as stated but] died at home in 1970 of leukemia. My Grandfather was Sgt. Charlie George Garrison, Willie D. Garrison's oldest brother. Willie D. Garrison's wife, Azel, my great aunt, is still living here in the Houston area and could be reached to verify such matters if need be. I thank you again for your article as a whole, as it details a number of relatives of mine and is encouraging to know that they are not forgotten for their places and submissions in history. - Sincerely, Kelley J. Stubblefield, March 04, 2008 - Comal River 3-3-08
Subject: The Meaning of "comal"
First of all, thank you for your service! It has been very helpful.
I would like to note that "comal" does not mean basin in Spanish. For starters, it is an indigenous word in origin accepted into the Spanish language because of its popular use. "Comal" is a slightly curved pan made of clay or metal on which tortillas are cooked and coffee/cocoa beans are toasted. The Spanish word for basin is "Cuenca". - Maritza Price, March 03, 2008 - Tehuacana, Texas 3-4-08
The church listed as New Hope is not closed. It is alive and membership is maintain and current services are being held as of today. Thanks. - Former minister/ pastor of the church.... Tony Thibodeaux, Waco Texas**,** March 03, 2008 - Booker, Texas 2-12-08
My family has lived in the area around Booker since the early 1900s. I am actually the fourth generation to graduated from Booker High School. Booker has always been in the shape of a square while the cemetery has been in the shape of a heart and is named Heart Cemetery. The cemetery was recently put on the historical registry of Texas. - Vanessa Harper, Booker, Texas , February 11, 2008 - Kopernic Shores, Texas 2-11-08
Kopernic Shores is now called Boca Chica Village. Just like the sign says. And there are only about 5 Polish descendents that own house's here. There are only 6 of us ( English, Norwegian, Irish, American Indian etc. ) people that live here all year long. So please help us spread the word that this village is Called Boca Chica Village. - Terry Heaton, February 09, 2008 - Chillicothe, Texas 1-19-08
Subject: Chillicothe Irises in San Francisco
Just wanted to say thank you for the info on Chillicothe; my father grew up there. The Methodist Church is where my grandmother and grandfather met, married, and were both eulogized upon their passing. When I bought my home in California, I obtained some Iris bulbs from my Father who took a handful when they sold the house there. That Iris Village is alive and well in San Francisco and my children think the violet ones are the most beautiful flowers they have ever seen (and they are). Thanks again, Bruce Derr, son of Walker Derr, son of E.L Derr, Sr., January 18, 2008 - Langtry, Texas 1-16-08
I just Google'd Langtry, Tx and had the pleasure to find your website. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your work. We are winter Texans and enjoy the great state of Texas and your website has just made it a lot easier to decide where to make our stops. We are currently staying at Del Rio and exploring Lake Amistad, I love old westerns and was excited to see how close we were to Langtry. We are making a day trip to the town today and your website has helped me, I know where to go and what to see. Again Thank you for your great work. - Joe and Donna Carpentier, January 15, 2008 - Belle Plain, Texas 1-14-08
Subject: Ancestors Graves in Belle Plain
Dear TE, I ran across [your magazine] as I was googling Belle Plain, Texas and thought I would share a story about that ghost town.
My great grandfather was born in Belle Plain in September of 1887 at the height of BP's success. His name was Burney Lafayette (Bun) Gist.
Burney's grandfather/mother - my ggg-grandparents are buried in the Belle Plain cemetery. Both of their headstones are still standing to this day. Their names as engraved on the stones are: D.H. Gist (David Hamilton Gist d. 1894) and Pamela Gist d. 1893. They came to Belle Plain from Kentucky between 1870-1880. DH was a saddler and a farmer in Belle Plain and the kids and grandkids worked on farms there too as I understand it. DH and Pam Gist had many children that they also brought to BP including my gg-grandfather and Burney's father Nathaniel Lafayette Gist.
After Belle Plain died, Nathaniel took his family including Burney (Belle Plain native) and moved to the Red River area mainly Vernon and Quanah. Burney's son, my grandfather was born in Vernon. His name was Burney Lafayette Gist Jr. or B.L. as he known by. Anyway, their are still many Gist's in the Abilene, Texas area that are descendants of DH Gist from Belle Plain (who are no doubt all kin to me).
Anyway, the reason I wrote y'all was that I have direct ties to Belle Plain and appreciate the photos you all have placed on the web. They are a glimpse of my family history and I wanted to say thank you! I have been trying to get a free weekend so I can drive out there and see my ggg grandparents graves and clean their headstones, etc. Just thought y'all would appreciate my little story about Belle Plain, Texas. - Benton Gist, Kennedale, Texas, January 11, 2008 - Littlefield, Texas 1-14-08
Living Above the Palace (Theater, that is.)
Dear Texas Escapes, Man, oh man, Can I add to the stories about the old Palace theater! My family and I lived up on the 3rd floor of that theater for about 2 years. My step dad managed all of those theaters right up till about the time they all closed. My whole family worked there in the theater at one time or another. I remember when Elmer Koller retired. We worked originally for some people from Andrews, Texas. I can't remember their names except the lady's name was Bea. I do remember that the theater started to go downhill. Then a man named Bill Boren bought several theaters from those folks. I remember how hard we worked to get them back in shape. We operated theaters in Morton, Muleshoe, Littlefield, and the drive-inn in Amherst all at the same time.
My mother also worked in the Palace in several positions back in the late 50's and early 60's. She worked at the Palace, and the XIT Drive-Inn. At the same time Waylon Jennings worked there. When we lived there the whole theater was MY playground when the theater was closed. I knew every inch of the place. I also recall going down under the stage where there was an old orchestra pit from the silent era. ALL over down there was painted "Waylon Loves Betty" in different variations...."Waylon + Betty"....etc.
I also painted my name along with my girlfriend's right next to where my mother's name was with Waylon Jennings. My mother was Betty Bales back then. As a child I was friends with two of Waylon's children. I dont remember his daughter's name, but his son Buddy was my friend.
Right before my stepdad accepted a job in Lubbock managing theaters there, I ran the inventory for all the concession stands for Boren Theaters. Man, oh man, I dont know what ever happened to all those movie posters, but at one time in the room next door to the theater I bet there was 5,000 posters. Elmer Koller kept up with all those like it was his life. He could tell you where every great movie poster in that room was...and show them to you if you asked.
My stepdad used to run the projectors down there on Elmer's night off, and the week Elmer went deer hunting, and I'd get to go up there and hang around and learn how to operate the projectors.
I spent many many entire Saturdays there watching the same movie over and over until my mother about had to drag me and my friends and cousins out of there kicking and sceaming....or come in and wake us up to take us home.
I have Mr. Fairbaim's picture of the Palace in 1975 as my screen saver. - Marc Giles, Odessa Texas, January 11, 2008 - Baird, Texas 1-11-08
Subject: Aviation cadets take a break in front of the T & P Depot at Baird in January of 1943
I found [this] photoin my Dad's World War II album. He was an aviation cadet on a transcontinental troop train that stopped in Baird in January 1943... more- David Schoeck, Dana Point, CA, January 09, 2008 - Fargo, Texas 1-1-08
Dear TE, Unlike Gertrude Stein's Cleveland, there is a there there in Fargo. I think someone on your staff took (a wrong turn) to Doans, thinking they'd go through Fargo on the way. No wonder they didn't find Fargo. You can get to Doans via Fargo, but the trick is to take FM 2916 straight to Doan's from Highway 283 (the one connecting Vernon, Texas with Altus, Oklahoma).
In Fargo, there's not only the Fargo Church of Christ (of which you have a picture) but also a cotton gin. You can buy a soft drink from the machine in the gin office. That's not exactly like having a store, but it beats nothing. Fargo also has several houses in all directions from the intersection that marks the center of "downtown." Fargo used to have a post office, a blacksmith, a store with a soda fountain, a place to get a hamburger or a griddle-cooked steak -- all at one time or another from the earliest days of the settlement. Fargo Methodist Church is one mile west and one mile north of Highway 283.
Across from the Methodist Church is Northside School, grades K-12. Northside Independent School District was created from five area districts back in the 1930s. The six-man football team won state in its division in 2006. The 125th celebration of the Doan's Crossing May Picnic is coming up this year (2008). Interest in Doan's seems to be growing, especially since the Western Cattle Trail has been marked by little obelisks all the way across Texas to Doan's. I believe it's marked all the way to Dodge City, for that matter. I will try to find time to send more information on Doan's and Fargo. - Hanaba Munn Welch, Fargo, January 01, 2008 More Texas Forum - next page
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