Category: Past Angora Chronicles Stories

Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Trying To Figure Out The History Of US 281 Running Through Burnet County

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I referenced several sources including newspapers, other written sources and maps to ascertain the history of the main highway that now takes us from Wichita Falls to Brownsville. I am only speaking to the stretch as it extends through Burnet County, as it gets much more complicated trying to talk about the entire stretch as it goes from Canada to Mexico. Photo # 1 is a 1919 map. It doesn’t show an actual road extending from Blanco to Lampasas. (Probably just trails at that time) This map doesn’t show a road from Blanco to San Antonio either. Photo # 2 … Continue reading Trying To Figure Out The History Of US 281 Running Through Burnet County

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Inventor (mid 1980s)

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I used to take my kids to Baskin Robbins Ice Cream in South Austin. Either a location on So. Congress and couple of blocks south of Oltorf or the one on Stassney Lane. What I always observed was the amount of effort it took for the employees there to dish out the very hard frozen ice cream. I also experienced the same thing at home. I went on a quest to find or make the very best ice cream scoop. I tried many different things, from a type of vibrating handle to different types and shapes of scoops. I bought … Continue reading The Inventor (mid 1980s)

Amazing Things, Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Texas History, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

A Look Back At Some Of The Past “Ramblings” That Were Carried In The Newspapers Around Here

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The Rambling Longhorn and Gloomy Gus are two of the fellows that have been carried in the local newspapers. If you know of others, please let me know and I’ll try to round up some articles from them. I can’t find the other Gloomy Gus screenshots that I made, that I said I’d put on here one day. I guess it wouldn’t be impossible for me to go back and scan them again one day. Continue reading A Look Back At Some Of The Past “Ramblings” That Were Carried In The Newspapers Around Here

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

MARBLE FALLS the little city – with the BIG FUTURE.

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Was There Any Way We Would Have Believed Our Little Ol Marble Falls Would Be What It is Now? The Chamber of Commerce slogan was MARBLE FALLS the little city – with the BIG FUTURE. The little flagstone building was the Chamber of Commerce, Welcome Center. Junior Bowles Gulf Station was where the rancher types congregated in the 60s & 70s. The Town has really grown in 150 years. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth704120/?q=marble Continue reading MARBLE FALLS the little city – with the BIG FUTURE.

Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Texas HistoryLeave a comment

Apelt Armadillo Farm

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Apelt Armadillo FarmComfort, Texas At Apelt Armadillo Farm, German immigrant Charles Apelt sits in front of his showroom while keeping an eye on the armadillos he caught and bred. The family enterprise included novelties made from armadillos such as baskets, lamps, wall hangings, and operated for about 70 years. Live animals were also sold to zoos, circuses and medical research facilities. http://wkcurrent.com/apelt-armadillo-farm-restored-after-years-of-blood-sweat-tears-p1797-71.htm Continue reading Apelt Armadillo Farm

Past Angora Chronicles Stories, The History of TexasLeave a comment

The Angora Goat Industry In Texas Owes It All (or at least a big part) To This Man – William Leslie Black

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This link is to a paper written by Christine Reh Wyse back in 1995. It is a story of a great advocate of Cattle, Sheep & Angora Goat Ranching in early Texas. https://www.facebook.com/groups/729839877052650/1670117333024895/ The barn below is the cannery building where Goat Meat was canned to go to market. (Still Standing) EXCERPT FROM THE WYSE PAPER“Although the canning process progressed smoothly. Black at first experienced difficulty disposing of his canned meat. At the suggestion of Armour and Company, he had labeled the cans “Roast Mutton.” To promote his product. Black had distributed belt buckles that sported a facsimile of the … Continue reading The Angora Goat Industry In Texas Owes It All (or at least a big part) To This Man – William Leslie Black

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Talking About Trademarks & Copyrights

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We had an accountant that worked for use for several years. Previously GK Worley had worked for a wealthy fellow over in Rockdale for a good many years. GK told me the following story. Pete Coffield, the wealthy gentleman built a new much needed motel in Rockdale many years ago. He had Whitey, his black driver, drive to the nearest town with a Holiday Inn Motel in it and take pictures of their sign. Then he took the photo to a local sign guy to build some signs for his new motel. Not wanting to copy it exactly, he had … Continue reading Talking About Trademarks & Copyrights

Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Elmer Gibbs

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I was thinking about Elmer Gibbs just the other day. I guess I didn’t know about his musical skills before running onto this old newspaper clipping. He, as far as I know had his finger in several pies. He was the owner or manager of Great Texas Lumber Co and a Realtor. He was always kind of a mystery man around town. But he had connections. He was instrumental in getting Roy Myers signed with the San Antonio Toros, which lead to his becoming a Denver Bronco. The above are just mostly my memories, but I’d welcome any other comments … Continue reading Elmer Gibbs

Amazing Things, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, The History of TexasLeave a comment

Ross Bros. Horse & Mule Company

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This was a business that was located at the Fort Worth Stockyards. The barns were wooden and destroyed by a fire on March 14, 1911. It was rebuilt using concrete and steel at a price of $300,000 and were said to be among the finest stables in the world. The Ross Brothers – Waddy, Sam & R.E. became very wealthy selling horses and mules during World War I, sending them to Europe.Once again they sold many more during WW II. Continue reading Ross Bros. Horse & Mule Company