Category: Texas History

Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Texas History, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Rice Culture in Colorado County

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Marker erected: Intersection of Main & Commerce Streets, Eagle Lake Marker Text:The rice industry did not spread into the coastal plains region west of Houston until the very end of the 19th century. In 1898, Captain William Dunovant (1845-1902), a local plantation owner and entrepreneur, planted 40 acres of rice at the southeast corner of Eagle Lake (2.5 miles south) as an experiment, using convict labor from a nearby prison farm to construct levees and harvest the new crop. The small tract produced such encouraging results that in 1899 Dunvovant built a pumping plant on the lake and irrigated 250-300 … Continue reading Rice Culture in Colorado County

Amazing Things, Texas HistoryLeave a comment

10 South Texas Windmills by Atilano Salas

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All but two of the windmills on the ranch were built to the same design, but no two were alike when the wind put them to work. Visible for miles jutting above the chaparral, each sounded out a tuneless melody, an almost unbroken clanging, slow and comforting and rhythmic, coupled to the occasional metal-on-metal squeal of the tail adjusting to a shift in the breeze, its blades slicing air with a tempered whoosh, pulling up clear cool water flowing steadily into the cistern through the long galvanized discharge pipe. It was as though these lone sentinels scattered in a sea … Continue reading 10 South Texas Windmills by Atilano Salas

Amazing Things, Cowboys & Rodeo, Texas HistoryLeave a comment

Bill Pickett – Invented Bulldogging

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A Great Part Of History With Roots From Right Here Under Our Feet. This Narrative From Frank Stiles. Born in the Miller Community, also known as Jenks Branch, midway between Leander and Liberty Hill, Texas. . Performed for royalty in europe, in madison square garden, starred in movies, and much more. Was eulogized by Will Rogers on his national radio show. Will Rogers also served as Bill Pickett’s hazer in his earlier days in rodeo bulldogging events. Bill Pickett mentored Will Rodgers, Tom Mix, and many others that went on to become motion picture stars and entertainers in the movies … Continue reading Bill Pickett – Invented Bulldogging

Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Texas History, Thoughts and Musings, TravelsLeave 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. The photo below 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. The next two … Continue reading Trying To Figure Out The History Of US 281 Running Through Burnet County.

Amazing Things, Cowboys & Rodeo, Crazy Times, Texas History, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Texas Prison Rodeo

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The Texas Prison Rodeo At Huntsville was a favorite of many from 1931 until 1986 when it was discontinued. A good article by Jesse Sublett – April 2012 for Texas Monthly Magazine Prison Rodeo Gone, but Not Forgotten Another piece of Texas history was razed in mid-January when bulldozers unceremoniously demolished the prison rodeo arena in Huntsville, but the memory of the event rides on. With barely a peep from preservationists, another piece of Texas history was razed in mid-January as bulldozers unceremoniously demolished the prison rodeo arena in Huntsville. The brick-and-concrete building, which hadn’t held a prison rodeo since … Continue reading The Texas Prison Rodeo

Amazing Things, In and Around Austin, Texas HistoryLeave a comment

The Continental Club – Austin, Texas

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Few Other Places Have Been Host To As Many Different Genres Of Music As This Iconic Club. Continental Club By: Christy Lynn Hodson CONTINENTAL CLUB.Located at 1315 South Congress Avenue in Austin, the Continental Club is a popular live music venue that opened in 1957. The original owner, Morin Scott, founded the establishment as an upscale private supper club which featured nationally touring bands, including Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and the Mascots. Hailed as the first venue in Travis County to sell liquor by the drink, the club originally encouraged patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages while enjoying the live … Continue reading The Continental Club – Austin, Texas

In and Around Austin, Texas History, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Marshall Ford, Texas

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Marshall Ford is where the Mansfield Dam is built on the Colorado River of Texas. Below are a couple of submissions I made a while back to Texas Bridges & Crossings – History https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrm16 More about Mansfield Dam https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Dam My dad was one of the workers on the Mansfield Dam Project. Continue reading Marshall Ford, Texas

Amazing Things, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Texas History, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Uvalde Rock Asphalt Company (continuous since 1912) and White’s Uvalde Mines (since 1923).

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This area down out of Uvalde, Texas is unique in that there is mining of asphalt, ready to pave a road as it is dug from the ground. Limestone gravel coated with an asphaltic bitumen content similar to that produced in operating asphalt plants. Many roads in south Texas have been paved with this product. I’m not certain that it meets TxDot specifications to pave state highways without farther processing, but it looks and acts like a hot mix/cold lay material produced in just about any asphalt plant and used mostly on private roads and temporary patches. On a personal … Continue reading Uvalde Rock Asphalt Company (continuous since 1912) and White’s Uvalde Mines (since 1923).

Texas History, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Origins Of Buffelgrass Found In This Area

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Please don’t correct me and tell me it’s Buffalo Grass. Buffelgrass and Buffalo Grass are not the same thing. While they may sound similar, they are two different types of grasses. Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is an invasive grass species native to Africa that has been introduced to various parts of the world, including the United States. It is known for its rapid growth and ability to outcompete native vegetation, posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. On the other hand, Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a native grass species to North America, particularly the Great Plains region. It is a … Continue reading The Origins Of Buffelgrass Found In This Area