The History of Texas, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Sigmor Corporation – San Antonio, Texas

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It was first known as Sigmor, then Sigmor Shamrock, some years later as Diamond Shamrock and finally as Valero. TETCO came in sometime during a spinoff I think. In the beginning they where cheaper than other outlets. The stations were very barebones, with nothing but a small cashier area, restrooms and vending machines for snacks. They were only there to sell gas and oil with not servicing area. I remember it first being a cash only business. When they started taking credit cards, they would take any other companies card, imprint it and write in your address from your driver’s … Continue reading The Sigmor Corporation – San Antonio, Texas

Amazing Things, In and Around AustinLeave a comment

Roberta Crenshaw

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I became acquainted with this lady by owning land that adjoined property she owned in south Austin. Her obituary tells her life story far better than I can. She truly was a remarkable lady. The things she did will leave a mark of beauty on Austin for an eternity. Civic pioneer Roberta Crenshaw dies at 90 Parks activist fought to keep Town Lake serene. By Dick Stanley AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Wednesday, February 09, 2005 Lady Bird Johnson often gets the credit for Town Lake’s beauty and its popular hike-and-bike trail, but when she was praised for that, Mrs. Johnson used to … Continue reading Roberta Crenshaw

Amazing Things, Cecil LewisLeave a comment

Cecil And The Blind Salamanders

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When we built the Guadalupe River State Park in the early 80s, I had Cec (my dad) down on that job driving a water truck. (Except when he bit my thumb – but that’s a whole other story). He brought his travel trailer over and camped out right down along the river. Some of the park people told us about a closed section of the park that no one was allowed to go. It was actually on an adjoining ranch that had been acquired by The Parks and Wildlife Department that was going to stay undeveloped. It was called The … Continue reading Cecil And The Blind Salamanders

Aging, Crazy Times, Kenny Lewis, My Family, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Susan’s Signs and Bumper Stickers

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Susan is a cousin of mine. She lived for a while down at the river by the Lewis Pavilion. Well actually more like right after you came in the gate. She had a small RV. Seemed pretty ideal for her and the park. That way some was there to help shew out trespassers and such. The is very patriotic and back in 2020 a while before the election she erected a nice Trump sign out front of her trailer or maybe tied a Trump banner on the picket fence. Here came Kenny down later to check on things. He pulled … Continue reading Susan’s Signs and Bumper Stickers

Aging, Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Hard of Hearing

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I’m not sure what went wrong. May have been from running air tracks, with no ear protection when I was a younger fella. Or being around bulldozers and other noisy equipment my whole life. I don’t think it has anything to do with being yelled at by my wife because she’s never been a yeller. In fact she is so quiet I hardly know when she’s around. Or maybe I’m just not hearing her yell. But she’s been telling me for 20 years or maybe 40 years that I need some hearing aids. I finally decided a few weeks ago … Continue reading Hard of Hearing

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, In and Around Austin, Texas History, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Montopolis, Travis County, Texas

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Correcting The Record: I have been told by a noted Travis County Historian that the photo of The Montopolis Courthouse, Travis County has been found not be the case. There was no such Courthouse at Montopolis. My personal story about the area: I have very fond memories of the Montopolis Area of Austin. I really didn’t know much about the history.My construction office and yard was at 2801 Montopolis Dr. for about a decade back in the 70s & 80s. It was the old homestead that included a stone house, garage apartment behind and a metal shop building farther back. … Continue reading Montopolis, Travis County, Texas

Amazing Things, My Family, My Friends, Smithwick, The Early Days, Thoughts and Musings1 Comment

Some of Smithwick’s Finest

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This is a post that Mona Gayle Waldrip posted in the very early days of the Angora Chronicles. Let me take a moment to say: “Mona Gayle you are so missed by so many people. Your pictures and your words meant so much to all of us.” I think the little boy out front in the middle was Kenny Jackson. Continue reading Some of Smithwick’s Finest

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, My Friends, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Dink’s Watch

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As a young teenager my friend Dink had a watch that I thought was the neatest thing. It was a Bulova Accutron. Those were the popular watch in the 60s that used a tuning fork instead of spring to keep them in rhythm. Instead of a tick tick tick, they hummed. By the time I was grown and Dink and I were in business together, the watch quit working. He had tried several places to get it repaired and the cost was more than it was worth. I talked him out of it, but I don’t remember the financial arraignment. … Continue reading Dink’s Watch