Texas History
June 11, 2015
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Headlines From a Bygone Era
“Our water squirters again find employment by amusing themselves in sprinkling our streets.” —San Saba County News, April 7, 1893
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The Daily Post
May 28, 2015
Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets Star Who Valiantly Fought to End Sneaker Violence
As Houston basketball fans mourn the end of the Rockets season, we remember the efforts of one of the team’s all-time greats.
Texas History
May 13, 2015
Ich Bin ein Texan
A 181-year-old book reminds us that Texas was once much more German—and far more radical—than we realize.
Texas History
May 7, 2015
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Headlines From a Bygone Era
“Lightning killed near Blossom, Tex., a mule and cow at the same time. They were a mile apart.”—Jefferson Jimplecute, May 1, 1908
Texas History
May 7, 2015
A Mighty Wind
In drought-ravaged West Texas, cotton farmers find good omens in unlikely places.
Texas History
April 9, 2015
Sterling Success
A century ago, no battleship could do without a twelve-gallon silver punchbowl with matching cups and ladle.
Texas History
April 7, 2015
Coming Soon: A Large Confederate Memorial on I-10, Just Inside the Texas State Line
The Confederate Memorial of the Wind in Orange will remind 55,000 motorists a day of the rebel heritage many Texans would just as soon forget.
Texas History
March 23, 2015
Texas History in 601 Words
The story of Texas can be reduced to one sentence: somebody has something somebody else wants and will put up a fight to get.In the beginning, these fights were over land. The Spanish explorers came here in the 1500’s; ignoring native peoples, they claimed a vast region that included
Texas History
March 18, 2015
The Apache Amulet
A keepsake taken from a fallen warrior’s body 135 years ago hasn’t lost its power.
Texas History
March 13, 2015
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era
“Pistol carrying is now so prevalent here as to be a first-class nuisance. The young men, white and black, hardly consider themselves in party attire unless they have on a pistol.”—Brenham Weekly Banner, May 27, 1886
The Daily Post
March 12, 2015
National Transportation Safety Board Considers Reinvestigating the Plane Crash That Killed Buddy Holly
Oh boy.
Texas History
February 3, 2015
Remember the Long Rifle
The most effective weapon of the Texas Revolution, even if it couldn’t save the mission’s defenders.
Texas History
January 9, 2015
Old News
An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era.
The Daily Post
January 8, 2015
Does “Selma” Get LBJ Wrong?
The Golden Globe-nominated film about the Civil Rights Movement is the subject of some unexpected controversy regarding its depiction of the relationship between Martin Luther King and President Lyndon Johnson.
Texas History
December 5, 2014
Old News
An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era.
Texas History
November 12, 2014
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era
“Tramps are overrunning the towns of Eastern Texas, and will soon overwhelm Austin.” —Weekly Democratic Statesman, December 16, 1875
The Culture
November 6, 2014
That’ll Be the Frames
Buddy Holly’s trademark black-rimmed glasses were a key part of his public persona. But he was too blind to see it that way at first.
Texas History
October 21, 2014
Bottle Rocket
Lone Star was just a brew for dads and cowboys, until Jerry Retzloff helped turn it into the coolest beer in the country.
Texas History
August 5, 2014
The Livermore Cache
Why did hunter-gatherers bury their arrow points on the tallest peak in the Davis Mountains?
The Daily Post
August 1, 2014
1983 New York Times Profile Of Austin Showcases The Fact That Austinites Have Always Complained About The City Changing
'Booming Austin Fears It Will Lose Its Charms' is a story that could be—and has been—written any number of times over the past 30+ years, the evidence shows.
Texas History
July 10, 2014
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era
“An irate gentleman went for the city editor of the Dallas Herald a few days ago, but was met with a six-chambered apology-maker. It might as well be understood now that all local editors in Texas have their pants made with pistol pockets in them.” —San Marcos Free Press, June 19,
News & Politics
July 10, 2014
Sam Rayburn’s Bates List Finder
The legendary speaker of the House had his own version of a little black book—and it included numbers for a florist, a fishing buddy, and two future presidents.
Texas History
May 13, 2014
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era
“There are so many mad dogs in Denton county that people won’t send their children to school, and people riding about o’nights ride like Arabs on dromedaries, crossing their nice little legs in front of them.” —Weekly Democratic Statesman (Austin), June 3, 1875
Texas History
May 9, 2014
Spanish Gauntlet
Faced with the realities of a rugged land, a band of sixteenth-century explorers left behind their dreams of conquest, as well as this chain mail glove.
News & Politics
April 11, 2014
First Class All the Way
RIP Robert Strauss.
Texas History
April 11, 2014
Remember the Tejanos!
Tejanos at the Alamo.
Texas History
March 12, 2014
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era
In this installment, the missus of a sheep farmer visits Waco—as a mister.
Texas History
March 4, 2014
Sallie Tate’s Emancipation Dress
A rare relic of slavery in Texas—and one woman’s freedom.
Texas History
February 12, 2014
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era
In this installment, the King Ranch receives a mighty substantial shipment of barbed wire.
Texas History
February 5, 2014
A Brief History of Peeing on the Alamo
An El Paso man pled guilty to the most heinous offense against Texas history imaginable: Peeing on the Alamo. Does this make him the next Ozzy Osbourne?
Texas History
January 10, 2014
History Revisited
No ideas but in things.
Texas History
January 9, 2014
Santa Anna’s Chamber Pot
The story behind an unusual trophy of the Texas Revolution.
Texas History
January 9, 2014
Old News: An Illustrated Look at Curious Headlines From a Bygone Era
In this installment, Dallas feasts for six months on something called the "boss turtle."
Texas History
January 9, 2014
Two Texans
Former state demographer Steve H. Murdock troves his data to illustrate the average Texan in two every different years—1950 and 2050.
Texas History
December 11, 2013
Old Mother Houston?
Is Charlotte Allen Houston's true founder?
News & Politics
November 19, 2013
Bipolar Order
Contrary to what the national media would have you believe, Texas is not politically monochromatic. It is, and always has been, a state with two minds.
Texas History
November 19, 2013
Pork Tamales
They're a labor of love. But they're worth it.
Texas History
November 19, 2013
Jane Smith-Garcés’s Pecan Pie
A pie that never lasts long enough to be stored in the refrigerator.
Food & Drink
November 18, 2013
Let’s Eat—Pig Pie, or Blackberry Cobbler
A recipe for "Pig Pie," a blue-black cobbler I preferred to any cake on my birthday.
Texas History
November 18, 2013
Joy of Looking
I pore over my old cookbooks not for the recipes but for the stories they conjure.
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Robert L. Wood’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
November 22, 1963Mrs. John F. KennedyWHITE HOUSEWashington, D.C.My dear Mrs. Kennedy:I have never before written to a Congressman, President or any type of Statesman. In fact, in my thirty some years of living I have never DONE MUCH OF ANYTHING, except vote, toward being an American or making this Country
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Mary McMillen’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
Dear Mrs. Kennedy,I am a Catholic also, I go to Saint Georges School. I can remember Nov. 21, the day before you came. We go to mass every day, then we go to lunch. This day was different, after mass our pastor told us to sit down. I wondered to
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Jane Dryden’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
January 18, 19644201 LullwoodAustin TexasDear Mrs. Kennedy,I know that you hate the whole state of Texas. I do to. I wish I lived in Washington, D.C. where maybe I could maybe see you standing on your porch. I am determined to move there as soon as I can. I would
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Monroe Young’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
December 1, 1963in 1962 September 23,Some mean man killed my dady too-Here in Dallas-my dady was a soldrerSanda Clause diden get my letteri hope he will get my letteri wont a bicycle—When you write him- tell him my name.Monroe Young Jr. III1838 Nomas StreetDallas, Tex.Read another letter to the first
Texas History
October 23, 2013
David Blair McClain’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
Nov. 22 1963Dear Mrs. Kennedy,I was at school when I heard about the President. I cried for two or three minuts. My mother also cried, and so did my teacher Mrs. Mansir. I was very sad for President Kennedy. He was my friend even though he didn’t know me. Some
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Eileen Mitchell’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
1:10 pmNov. 22, 1963From a student of North Texas State UniversityThe radio sat in the window of the second floor dorm window blaring out the sad news that our President had been shot! People walking around in twos and threes stopped their happy chattering and stood silently on the street,
Texas History
October 23, 2013
J. E. Y. Russell’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
906 ParkviewDallas, TexasDec. 1 – 1963Mrs Jacqueline KennedyFirst Lady in our hearts.I live in Dallas, a city bowed in sorrow, and shame. I am 76 years old and live on a social security checkI must pour out my heart to you if my feeble hands will hold out to scribble
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Henry Gonzales’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
P.O. Box 9652El Paso, Texas 79986Dec. 8, 1963Mrs. J.F. KennedyWashington, D.C.Dear Mrs. Kennedy:I am but a humble postman and I realize the many letters you have received, which is but deserving to you, throughout this wide world. We at our house have continued to mourn the great loss to all
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Marie Tippit’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
MRS JOHN F KENNEDYWASHDCMAY I ADD MY SYMPATHY TO THAT OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.MY PERSONAL LOSS IN THIS GREAT TRAGEDY PREPARES ME TO SYMPATHIZE MORE DEEPLY WITH YOU.MRS. J D TIPPIT DALLAS TEX(34).Read another letter to the first lady here.
Texas History
October 23, 2013
Claudine Skeat’s Letter to Jackie Kennedy
Mrs. John F. KennedyWhite HouseWashington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Kennedy,You and President Kenney were in my office a week ago yesterday.I am secretary to General Bedwell at Brooks Air Force Base, and I will forever be haunted by how handsome and healthy and happy you two looked – and how gracious you