Category: The History of Texas

Aging, Amazing Things, The History of Texas, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

San Antonio’s Union Stockyards

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Below is about the best article I’ve found on the history of the SA Union Stockyards that has now been closed for more than 25 years. From The Houston Chronicle “Union Stock Yards says goodbye after 112 years in San Antonio” John W. Gonzalez | April 22, 2001 SAN ANTONIO — After 112 years as a landmark of the South Texas cattle industry, the Union Stock Yards held its final auction last week, giving workers and well-wishers one last chance to savor its colorful yet faded traditions. In an auction barn that used to witness thousands of transactions a day, … Continue reading San Antonio’s Union Stockyards

Past Angora Chronicles Stories, The History of Texas, Thoughts and Musings2 Comments

The Many Names Of A Plain Ol “Cattle Guard”

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A cattle grid (by British standards) – also known as a stock grid or krud knocker in Australia; or a cattle stop in New Zealand. A cattle guard, a vehicle pass, a Texas gate, or stock gap as they know all around the United States. I think I like Krud Knocker the best. Highways aren’t the only place that you’ll see a cattle guard. Sure didn’t need to stop a train to open the gate! Most cattle guards are made from pipe but if railroad rail is available, it makes a good sturdy cattle guard. Continue reading The Many Names Of A Plain Ol “Cattle Guard”

The History of Texas4 Comments

Calcasieu Lumber Company

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CALCASIEU LUMBER – A Great Member Of The Austin Business Scene For Many Years Austin supported many lumberyards, but the largest was Calcasieu, started in 1883 by the Drake brothers and later named after the superior lumber harvested in Calcasieu Parish, La. “Better homes are built with better lumber,” reads an 1884 newspaper ad. “And that doesn’t mean high priced lumber either. Dealers in lumber, sash, doors, blinds, laths, piclets and all builders’ material.” Early photos show a small lumberyard with a pitched roof and a hitching post for horses. Later, Calcasieu expanded over two blocks with a three-story building … Continue reading Calcasieu Lumber Company

Smithwick, The Early Days, The History of TexasLeave a comment

Cattle Guard Dogs

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A practice that I’m sure would get you locked up nowadays was to post a dog, chained up at each cattle guard along the country roads. There would be a dog house, to protect them from the weather, whether the hot sun or the freezing cold. The rancher would come daily and put out food and water for them. It seemed like a lonely existence, but I guess they served their purpose. Looking back I feel like that was mostly where goats and sheep were kept, but maybe wild cattle too. They may still be used in some places, but … Continue reading Cattle Guard Dogs

Amazing Things, Marble Falls and the Area Around it., The History of Texas1 Comment

Old Granite School Fundraiser Campaign

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Please look at the need that is outlined below and help as much as you can. It is tax deductible. If you have any questions, please feel free to raise them. The museum is such a wonderful place and holds so many memories for anyone that is connected to the Old Granite Building. Below is a link that will allow you to donate to the cause. However if you are giving a sizable amount, a check hand delivered or mailed will allow for more funding to go to the cause without fees being added on. https://givebutter.com/fallsmuseum Continue reading Old Granite School Fundraiser Campaign

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

Kow Bell Arena

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Mansfield, Texas For 45 years (1959-2004) the Kow Bell was the place to go for an indoor rodeo. There was something going on there almost every night. When in the early 1990s we were living in Waxahachie our 2 older sons, Matt & Mike rode for the high school rodeo club there. They participated all around north Texas against other young fellows riding rough stock. Matt rode bulls, while Mike rode bareback horses. For practice they would go to Kow Bell and for $10 they and several of their buddies would ride on certain nights. It is a place of … Continue reading Kow Bell Arena

Past Angora Chronicles Stories, The Early Days, The History of Texas1 Comment

BANG! BANG! BANG! …HE SHOT HIM DEAD

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By James Johnston On August 4, 1949, celebrating the wild west got a little too real in the Big Spring rodeo arena that was once just off 11th Place immediately west of today’s Howard College campus. Most of the 2,500 fans missed the drama of the night at the roughshod wooden bleacher arena, but the script of the night would be one of the most unnerving dramas in the Big Spring Rodeo’s history. In 1947, bad blood had started between bad-ass 38-year-old Henry Preston (Buck) Jones and 32-year-old Herbert Frizzell when Jake Monroe had dragged Frizzell into a conversation over … Continue reading BANG! BANG! BANG! …HE SHOT HIM DEAD

Amazing Things, In and Around Austin, The History of Texas, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Hall Level Manufacturing Company and D & H Foundry

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For many years there were a couple of businesses in East Austin, around 3rd and Comal St. Hall Level made carpentry levels of different varieties and sizes. I’m not certain what other products they produced. Information is fairly limited. Doing a Google search, it appears that they may still be a corporation but I haven’t located an address for them. Across 3rd St from Hall Level, to the north, was D & H Foundry. They made castings of all types, but perhaps their primary business was casting the aluminum levels and other parts for Hall Level. I’m almost certain there … Continue reading Hall Level Manufacturing Company and D & H Foundry

Amazing Things, Marble Falls and the Area Around it., The History of TexasLeave a comment

What Do You Mean, Diving For Pearls?

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Who knew the Highland Lakes where teaming with mussels with pearls contained within. From the Burnet Bulletin/Marble Falls Messenger – May 23, 1989 While I didn’t find anything about Mr. Casey, I did find where Mr. Norman passed on in 2019. His obit reads like “someone I would have liked to have known”. Continue reading What Do You Mean, Diving For Pearls?