Granger, Texas, Williamson County. (original) (raw)

Gassing up the Goodrich Flyer c. 1923.
Dan Martinets (seated) with his father, an early aviation fan.

This is where we normally put our "History in a Pecan Shell", however Granger presented us with a gift in the form (the rather long form) of Dan Martinets, who was born, and raised in Granger and has recently returned. Due to Mr. Martinets' generous gift of time and information, we're able to bring you much more than our usual "Nutshell" history.

We were invited to Mr. Martinets' house, and listening to his stories about Granger's history was like watching a movie with the director beside you, for he was there for some of the more interesting moments. (See Granger Chronicles According to Dan Martinet.)

Mr. Martinets, who has sometimes been known as "St. Dan", was born in 1920, less than a year from Armistice Day, which Granger appropriately celebrated with joint, but separate festivities. For Granger was Czech community on the west side of the railroad tracks and Anglo on the other.

Dan was from the west side and spoke no English until he went to school. He wasn't all that excited about going, but took to it at once, with all of his grades being in the 90s except for penmanship, which was a lowly 83. Public School was on the Eastside and the closing bell started the Czech boys on their mad dash to their own territory.

Davilla Street awaiting a parade
(Looking west - city hall building on right.)

Granger Through The Years

by Clay Coppedge

Dan Martinets used to walk along the railroad tracks running through the heart of his hometown, Granger, and dream of getting on one of those trains and never coming back.

That was in the 1920s, when both Granger and Martinets were young and in their prime. Now Granger would seem to be yet another small town with a great future behind it and Martinets has passed on; he died two days before Christmas last year... more

	Armistice Day Westside of Granger Martinets' store in background

	Armistice Day Eastside (Note effigy of Kaiser to left of flag)

	Martinets Photo Studio

	Early Harleys in Granger

Miniature Cotton Bales on their way to the Texas Centennial (1936).
Hats courtesy of Amon Carter

	SPJST Building and Band. c1909 Rhinehart Hotel is visible behind parapet of small building.

The Hoxie House (Built in 1882, burned in 1934)
was already deteriorating in the early 1900s when this picture was taken.

John R. Hoxie was once mayor of Chicago and the house was a centerpiece of a 9,000 acre ranch where he bred horses and cattle. Later the ranch was broken up into small parcels and became the community of Hoxie, Texas.

You could see the Capitol Building in Austin from the widow's walk of the house.

	Granger High School

Granger Texas Forum

• How exciting to see such a wonderful history of this small town my Father remembers so fondly! ... Thank You! - Cindy Nemec Lloyd
  Granger Images Courtesy of Dan Martinets

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