Amazing Things, Smithwick, The Early Days1 Comment

Minnie’s Stash (originally written Nov. 30, 2014)

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Kenny reminded me of something yesterday that I had forgotten. I wrote about Minnie and Charlie Campbell and her dying. Charlie would always tell us that Minnie kept up with their money and he didn’t know where she kept it or how much they had. I guess they thought, as we all did that she would outlive him. Charlie wasn’t in a shape to do much looking so the first one and the other looked but never found any money. We were all pretty sure they didn’t have two dimes to rub together, so when nothing turned up, no one … Continue reading Minnie’s Stash (originally written Nov. 30, 2014)

Amazing Things, The History of Texas2 Comments

Sears Modern Homes

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How many homes around Austin were Sears Kit Homes? I would think there are many. Click on the first link below to check out the history of these very fine homes. Then click the second link to see groupings of homes sold in various years from 1908-1940. By comparing the homes in these catalogs, you may find some in your neighborhood that are Sears Homes. You may be living in one and not realize it. http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/ http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/byimage.htm Continue reading Sears Modern Homes

Construction, The History of TexasLeave a comment

Sidewalk and Curb Markings

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Once upon a time, wherever you went around Austin, the concrete curbs and sidewalks had a stamp of the company that did the work. Maufrais Bros was the ones most often seen. While Maufrais Bros did the work, they also operated their own ready mix plant, which for many years could be seen east of Lamar, on the north side of West First St. (Cesar Chavez) This article delves into the story of the Markings. http://www.texasescapes.com/AustinTexas/Austin-Sidewalks-Maufrais.htm These are a few of the names you’d see: In the older sections of the city, these stamps can still be seen, but are … Continue reading Sidewalk and Curb Markings

Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Have You Gotten A Message From A Friend Lately, Wanting To Make You Rich?

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Well I get on average about one of these a day. You can tell by the way the conversations start that it’s not who it should be, using that name. My problem is that every time it happens, I let the conversation run off the deep end and then it becomes something I can’t share here on this forum. But today I watched myself so that it didn’t become “R” or “X” rated. It’s funny how after a while they must figure out that something is up and I’m wasting their time. Well anyway, I amuse myself a little each … Continue reading Have You Gotten A Message From A Friend Lately, Wanting To Make You Rich?

The Early Days, The History of TexasLeave a comment

Burnet County and Cotton

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Burnet County is known for several industries with various minerals or tourism being at the heart of most bustling enterprises. However in the early 1900’s cotton was king there like many other areas of Texas. The little town where I now reside, Bertram, had 4 cotton gins at one point. I think I’ve read that it also had about that many banks. The soil around this area is more suited to ranching than farming, but that didn’t stop the industrious folks from making the most of black land areas spotted around the county. Besides the four in Bertram, there were … Continue reading Burnet County and Cotton

The History of Texas4 Comments

SH 165 – This Highway Has Several Unique Distinctions

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The Shortest Highway in Texas and possibly the nation at .51 miles long. It is shutdown every night. It connects to no other state highway. IT IS THE HIGHWAY THAT RUNS THROUGH THE TEXAS STATE CEMETERY IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN. This is an Article about Texas’ Unique Highway: State Highway 165 (SH 165) is a state highway in the state of Texas in the United States. At 0.51 miles long, it is the shortest main state highway in Texas, and perhaps the only one partially locked at night. It is connected to no other Texas highway system roads. In 1932, Texas … Continue reading SH 165 – This Highway Has Several Unique Distinctions

The History of Texas3 Comments

Austin White Lime – McNeil, Texas

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Strange how much of it doesn’t look so much different 129 years later. (First photo) Processing limestone caused the community of McNeil to continue through the years, but it was the coming of the railroad that marked its place. In 1882, the railroad came through the area from Round Rock to Austin. George McNeil, section foreman on the Austin and Northwestern Railroad, was in charge of the construction of the line and the grading of the roadbed. Besides the kilns and the railroads, McNeil was also known for its caves and a highly publicized 1897 robbery of an International and … Continue reading Austin White Lime – McNeil, Texas

Crazy Times, Marble Falls and the Area Around it., The Early DaysLeave a comment

The Auto Theft From Giesecke’s Supermarket (or was it HEB by that time)

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I worked at the Luther – McDuff Chevrolet Dealership my senior year of high school. Others that worked there were: Cecil Rhoades – Manager and car salesman extraordinaire. JC Copeland – A very nice, rotund old fellow – a lifelong car salesman type. John Miller – The most genteel person I’d ever met, and a life long MF resident. Everyone trusted John. Karen Schaefer – a pretty young red head that my brother had dated in high school and had married not long before this incident. We were all sitting in the office one day when several police cars arrived. … Continue reading The Auto Theft From Giesecke’s Supermarket (or was it HEB by that time)

Marble Falls and the Area Around it.2 Comments

The Evolution of Supermarkets in Marble Falls

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I was asked recently when HEB first appeared in Marble Falls. That got me to thinking about the series of events that got us to where we are today with Marble Falls Supermarkets. I am going to tell you my best recollection of when I remember the various events happening in the way people were shopping for food at least during my lifetime. As you read this, please feel free to correct me or firm up dates and ownerships. Giesecke’s Bros. Market was what I consider the first supermarket. Prior to that time there were several mercantile’s and small grocery … Continue reading The Evolution of Supermarkets in Marble Falls

Amazing Things, The History of TexasLeave a comment

What Do You Mean It All Started As A Joke ?

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Some History Of The Cowboy Hat The first known felt hats were narrow-brimmed affairs worn by ancient Greeks and their gods. J.B. Stetson fashioned the prototype of the cowboy hat to entertain his hunting companions back in the 1860s. By then, wide brims and tall crowns were already the signature look of cattlemen and horsemen from Texas to California. Spanish vaqueros wore sombreros with massive brims and crowns long before Stetson came along. ”Sombrero” is derived from the Spanish word for “shade” or “shadow;” a felt or straw sombrero protected its wearer from a relentless sun. The wide-brimmed and high-crowned … Continue reading What Do You Mean It All Started As A Joke ?