Category: The History of Texas

Crazy Times, Meeting New People, The History of TexasLeave a comment

Fasten Your Seatbelt

lewisotr

I once was passing my neighbors weekend place out of Dripping Springs and saw he was there. It was a weekday and I realized he being a state employee, probably had the day off. It was Texas Independence Day. When I pulled up he came outside and we visited a few minutes, then he said, “why don’t we drive into town a buy a 6 pack of Lone Star Beer and drive over to the lookout and sit a spell and enjoy the afternoon”. I had nothing going on so that’s what we did. Amazing conversation, I’ll get into another … Continue reading Fasten Your Seatbelt

My Friends, Smithwick, The History of Texas4 Comments

Big Jim, The Best Friend A Feller Could Ask For

lewisotr

When Jim Cox married Hanna and moved her and her young son, Jimmy Palmer to Smithwick, life would never be the same. He was 9 years old, putting him a 1/2 year older than Kenny and 3 older than me. They moved into Jim’s house that was across the highway from my Grandmother, Nonie. Since we spent most of the summers there with her and every weekend until we moved back from our years at Jollyville, we were together much of the time. Jimmy was as big for his age as I was small for mine. Kenny, having a strong … Continue reading Big Jim, The Best Friend A Feller Could Ask For

The History of Texas2 Comments

Spirit Leveling in Texas

lewisotr

I discovered a new term that relates to the surveying and layout of Texas when USGS Markers were place primarily along roadways and railroads from points all over the state. I knew the markers were placed, but had never thought about the timeframe in which it was undertaken. This name Spirit Leveling comes from the use of a spirit level used in surveying equipment. Below is a report as is relates to this being done all over Texas from 1896 to 1915. https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/0637/report.pdf Continue reading Spirit Leveling in Texas