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July
2005
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Glen
Rio, Texas
"Route 66 [here in Glen Rio] was divided by a concrete curb about
three feet wide with 2 each east and west lanes. The road is fairly
smooth with a good base and small rock cover, but I don't think
anyone would call it paved. However, it does change to just a dusty
gravel road at the west end. There are maybe two houses where people
live on 66 and one large house and building in good repair a couple
of hundred yards south of 66. There is a blue US Postal box and
a government delivery box containing 16 mail boxes. Scratched on
one cinderblock building is "Glenrio, NM". As we left and approached
the bridge crossing I-40, we could see the welcome to Texas sign,
indicating that maybe all of current Glenrio is now actually in
New Mexico." - Ken Rudine July 31, 2005
History
of Roby, Texas
In reviewing my history of my Roby family, I found a probable connection
with Roby, Texas. Robys seem to have been from Georgia prior to
the War Between the States. My grandfather was a medical officer
in the Confederate Army, then moved to Thomastown, Mississippi.
He was Dr. James Robert Roby, and my father was born in 1877. In
some of the documents, we find that Dewitt Clinton Roby owned considerable
real estate there, including connections with the Roby Cemetery.
He died in Mississippi in 1906. My best guess is that he may not
have lived in Roby, Texas, but likely due to his kin having moved
to Texas earlier, he did invest in property. As we are researching
our family history, any Roby, Texas, history would be most appreciated.
Thanks, Charlton Stevens Roby, July 29, 2005
Roaring
Springs, Texas
Roaring Springs will always hold a special place in my heart. My
grandmother and grandfather moved their ten children to Roaring
Springs sometime in the 1940's. All of their grandchildren loved
Roaring Springs. I was born in 1973 and as a child, I remember visiting
my grandmother on holidays and summers. We had freedom, we could
walk downtown to the store by ourselves and we played outside all
day. Occasionally we were able to go the Springs and swim. The people
were always friendly, they would wave as they drove by. My grandmother
finally moved from Roaring Springs about 5 years ago.
My mom told me about all of the people that used to live in Roaring
Springs and many of my fondest memories happened there. It was a
place that represented family and values. I couldn't believe people
actually left their doors unlocked. It is a really special place
to me. - Angela J., Granddaughter of Ossie "Shine" Brown, Las
Vegas, Nevada, July 27, 2005
Lesley,
Texas
The school was pretty interesting. It still has a majority of it’s
old doors. It looks like someone was using it to store cattle at
one point, there were numerous pins constructed throughout the building.
- Erik Whetstone, July 26, 2005
Electric
City, Texas
The photo came from our company archives. Southwestern Public Service
Company (now Xcel Energy) purchased the Riverview Power Plant, probably
in the 1940s, and it's still there today and fired up when we need
extra power. - Wes Reeves, July 25, 2005
Los
Angeles, Texas
I'm sitting here with my mother, Ruth (Klattenhoff) Bailey and my
Aunt Julia (Klattenhoff) Mellenbruch. They grew up in Los Angeles,
after moving from Taylor with their parents. Their father, Fred
L. Klattenhoff was an agent for the Bishop Land Company.
In addition to the school, which they attended, they remember the
post office/store, which belonged to Fred Klattenhoff and Leo Sladek.
They also remember the cotton gin, the lumber yard, the drug store,
meat market, service station, and hotel. The depot was really important
not only to the economy but also because the agent had a telegraph
and was a primary means of communication.
One of the reasons for locating LA where it was was the artesian
wells, which provided water for irrigation. One of the social centers
of the community was the swimming pool, which was the storeage facility
for the irrigation water. - Ruth Bailey, July 24, 2005
Hunter,
Texas
My father put some personal memories together about his childhood
in Hunter. My grandfather owned as a residence what is now known
as Riley's Tavern. My grandfather bought that house on 1/23/25,
and lived there until 1930. Other family lived there in the early
30's. Later it was leased to the Riley family for $4 per month,
and eventually Curtis Riley bought it on 11/23/42.
I can't tell how proud I am of my family. I sometimes envy my father
because he has lived through an era that Americanism was at it's
height, when the greatness of this country was being developed and
made up of so many different nationalities. That era gave birth
to many with such moral fiber and integrity, which doesn't exist
in many today. No doubt, there are many stories like this. It took
this type of American to go to war and fight for their country,
against all odds. I have been in the military myself, and I can
tell you things are different today. In any case, I love this country
and would not change anything. - Paul O. Sanchez C.P.A., July
22, 2005
Johnny
Horton
As a freelance writer who has collected a large amount of information
about Johnny Horton over the past five years, I wanted to point
out a few things within the column that are not accurate.
The bridge at Milano is not the "Little River Bridge", it's over
the railroad tracks there.
Horton didn't claim to be a psychic but a Spiritualist in tune with
the spirit world. According to Horton, it was the spirits that warned
of his coming death - and the warning was correct. He feared he
would die on the trip to Austin at the hands of a drunk - and did.
He also had several other near misses (near fatal) experiences which
convinced him that his time was short.
Horton was a devoted family man - extended family as well as wife
and children. Thanks. - Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy, July 22, 2005
Odds,
Texas
"[While attending a] family reunion in Marlin Sunday, [we] drove
through Odds coming to and leaving Marlin. The first time I missed
the location because I couldn't find the familiar landmark of the
old cotton gin. When we came by the second time I slowed down and
saw what had happened. The old gin building had evidently collapsed
from old age and was lying flat on the ground. The sight almost
brought tears to our eyes. Now there will be nothing to mark the
spot where the town once was." - George Lester, Elkhart, Texas,
July 17, 2005
Ecleto,
Texas
I would like to add some history to the town of Ecleto. My father,
a Mexican-American, was born there in a little shack. My grandfather
was a cotton sharecropper for a German immigrant. They moved away
in the 1940's when my father returned from the war. My uncle told
me that there is a large tree located next to the store to which
lawbreakers were chained awaiting the arrival of the sheriff from
a neighboring city. - Rosalinda Regalado, July 16, 2005
Matagorda,
Texas - Old Texas Swing Bridge
It has come to my attention that the old Swing Bridge in Matagorda,
TX is soon to be replaced by a more modern bridge. Is anyone researching
or doing a documentary on the renovation of this historic bridge?
Thanks. - Eryn Hall, July 16, 2005
Houston,
Texas
I recently visited Houston and loved it. One of the things that
really stuck out in my mind was the beautiful trees along Ella Lee
Lane. The only thing that people could tell me was that they were
Oak trees. Do you know what kind of oak trees they were? I have
searched the web and have had no luck. Thank you very much. - Amber,
Moruya South Head, New South Wales, Australia, July 16, 2005
Blazilmar
Hotel in Taylor
Reference to Lee Crowell' s letter concerning "james".. I too, like
Lee, remember him ("James") when I was a kid. I played a few games
of pinball there myself ! I also remember that the railroad housed
their people there and one night there was a rail strike and there
was concern of hostilities in the rail yard across the street from
the Hotel. Thank God nothing developed from that. Late nights, the
Blasilmar was the only place to get pretty good food too! There
where a few fights in the bar that was on the south end of the building
toward the rail yard where the rail personnel and the general citizenry
would mingel. - James Rowland, Taylor Duck class of 1971, July
14, 2005
Kress,
Texas
Kress was home to all of my grandparents. I lived there from 1943
to 1948. I planted the pine tree just south of our house on old
87 across the street from and just north of Losson's Service Station
in 1943. The last time I was there it still stood and was the only
pine tree in Kress. Here are a few vintage photos. It was great
to live in a town where everyone was a friend. - Jack Williams,
July 12, 2005
Fluvanna,
Texas
My mother, Alice Haynes Cain, grew up in Fluvanna. My grandfather,
H. H. Haynes was Station Master for the RS&P. My mother told us
the story of a cyclone/tornado that hit their house in Fluvanna
when she was a young girl. I would like to find out the exact date
of this cyclone. It must have occurred between 1910 and 1920, probably
around 1915. Thank you. - Mary, Camary46@cs.com, El Paso, July
12, 2005
Balmorhea,
Texas
Justiceburg,
Texas
Here are the pictures we took of Justiceburg on January 23, 2005.
The school house has been gutted by fire but the playground equipment
is eerily in place out front. There are many abandoned homes, some
with furniture and clothes still hanging in the closets! Closer
to highway 84 there are still a few occupied residences. - Bob
Worley, July 07, 2005
McLean,
Texas - Gracey School near McLean Texas
My name is Jim Gracey and my grandfather was James Rush Gracey (b
1858 d. 1938) who worked on a ranch in the Texas Panhandle. I remember
as a small boy (circa 1940) going to visit a brick school house
near McLean Texas that was named "Gracey School". There were even
school busses with the name Gracey on it. I have been searching
my parents old photographs to find a picture but have been unsuccessful.
The story I remember was that J. R. Gracey had something to do with
founding the school and that was why it was named after him. I have
no idea if the building still exists. I would appreciate any information
you may have or any suggestions for further research. - Jim Gracey,
July 06, 2005
The
Capitan of Pasadena & its sister theatre The Granada
I grew up in Pasadena and have heard stories from my grandparents,
parents, former ushers, managers, original managers, and others
that remember attending or working at the Capitan in Pasadena. The
City of Pasadena bought it and registered it in the history register
since it's over 60 years old.
It has sat abandoned since the early 80s and was not in the best
of shape. However, the City has renovated the facade and marqee,
with plans of making it a Performance Hall for Pasadena. The interior
has no date for completion as its not in the budget.
I did a story and photo shoot in '96 or '97 on this theatre. I have
some original slides of its grand opening that I purchased from
the photographer in the Houston Heights. The Capitan and The Granada
were originally owned by Phil Isley (father of the great actress
of the 40-50s Jennifer Jones). The theatres were later owned shortly
by Interstate Theatres. Jennifer made a non-publicity appearance
at the Capitan according to one of the orginal managers I interviewed.
The Granada (at Jensen and Tidwell in Houston) is currently a Hispanic
Church. I heard they are going to restore it. The Granada looks
like a theatre inside and out last time I visited in 97, except
that the snack bar had been removed, and one can't even tell it
was ever there! - Miranda Spigener, Houston, Texas, July 06,
2005
Tankersley,
Texas
My brothers and sisters and I went to school in Tankersley in the
early 1950's. There was a two room school with first, second, and
third grades in one room and forth, fifth and sixth grades in the
other. The main building consisted of a simple square box, stucco
design. Along with the two classrooms, there was an auditorium.
The last time I was in the area was in the middle 1980's and the
building was still there although the school had been long closed.
I believe it closed in the early 1960s.
The secondary building was the living quarters for the husband/wife
teaching team and also the cafeteria for the students. The restrooms
were outside in a separate building.
The teachers that I remember being there were Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson.
Mr. Ferguson had a stroke during the school year, and they had to
leave since he couldn't keep up his teaching duties. Mr. and Mrs.
Smith moved in after the Fergusons left. They were a younger couple
with no children. His first name may have been Curtis, her name
was Polly. I only attended school there for two years and then transferred
into San Angelo schools.
I also remember across the highway from the school was a store/gas
station owned by Mr. and Mrs. Boggs. We would take whatever change
we had to school and after lunch, we would go across the highway
to Bogg's Store and buy penny candy.
The majority of the students at Tankersley School lived on farms
in the area, but the residents of West Texas Boys Ranch also attended
there. - Gary Clark, Crawford, Texas, July 06, 2005
Friendswood,
Texas
I would be willing to bet that boys today have never heard of "Diamond
Bend" ( A red clay bank of Clear Creek that Gypsum crystals
were found.) As a person that grew up there from 1931 to 1951 there
was not much to do except explore Clear Creek. My mother was telephone
operator there for many years. It was a "live in" telephone office
and us kids had to run the old hand-cranked switchboard at times.
I was reading in the Galveston News of the 4th of July picnics and
parades. And it had been a tradition for 110 years. Funny, I never
saw one in the 20 years I lived there.
The town had 1 grocery store, 1 gas pump, (at the grocery store)
a post office and a fig processing/canning plant owned by Cecil
Brown. The fig plant polluted the ditches to the creek with lye
water used to remove most of the peel from the Magnolia figs, from
there, it polluted Clear Creek. No alcoholic beverages and tobacco
was "roll your own" or snuff. No police department and no fire department.
If you do not know of "Diamond Bend" let me know and I will give
directions, (as I remember it) - Howard Stout, July 05, 2005
Exile,
Texas
I live on the Frio Cielo Ranch. This is a homeowner's association
that was formed years ago from a working ranch. Fence lines have
moved over the years.
The Exile cemetery does exist, and I can see it from my property
line. Exile did have a school house that burned down, according
to an elderly lady I am in contact with. When the weather cools,
she said she would go with me to tell what she could remember about
Exile. The school was right next to the cemetery. The cemetery is
not on the Frio Cielo Ranch. It is accessible through a private
ranch next to our fence line.
As I was speaking to the lady who told me she went to school at
Exile before it burned down, her husband chimed in and told me he
went to school there also. I hope to visit them together again soon.
There was a post office before it burned down, but from what I understand,
Exile really was not a town as we think of a ghost town being. It
was a community. I will learn more from this elderly couple and
be glad to share the info with you when I do. - Dave Lawrence,
July 05, 2005
Woman
Hollering Creek
Woman Hollering Creek is a real and sentimental story to those of
us that are true to our South Texas roots. Get your stories correct,
for the sake of Texas History. I just came across your website.
After reading the info on WHC, I did not care to read more of your
site. Sorry!! My loss. .....HA!! - Belinda Bell, July 05, 2005
Grandfather
in Port Arthur
I have been looking over 25 years for my Grandfather.
I promised my Mom when I was little that I will find her Dad. She
was adopted at 6 weeks. All she had with her was 2 pictures: one
with her Dad and one with her DAD and MOM.
My Mom was very sad. She knew nothing about her parents. When my
baby brother was incurably sick, the doctor asked us about our family
history. We can not answer. That is sad.
I hope to find the Roots of my grand daddy's family. My Grandpa
lived in Port Arthur and he has to be between age 75-85 . Maybe
someone in Port Arthur recognizes my Grandpa. If he is dead I will
come to Texas to visit his grave. If he is still alive and is alone
and need help, then I will do this too. Maybe we have a short time
to spend together. - Elke Kromp, from Germany, now Palm Bay,
Florida, June 04, 2005
Clairemont,
Texas
The Court House in Clairemont burned on Tuesday April 12, 1955,
at about 9:00pm - 9:30pm. - J. J. Montgomery, July 02, 2005
Photo
- Peacock, Texas ca 1916
My great grandfather, Lewis Marshall Delano (1874 Indiana, d. 1943
Ca.), worked for the Railroad in Peacock.....He was married to Stella
Catherine Phillips (1881 Ala - 1941 Ca.).....They had Clara, Edward,
Mae Etta, Lewis Harley (he was born 18 Jun 1912, in Peacock, Stonewall,
Tx.)...and last son Forrest who was born 1918 in Jack Co. Texas.
I can pinpoint the timeline of this photo..........as a photo post
card, addressed to L. M. Delano, Peacock Tx... in this post card
is a cousin, George Wright, a baby, who at that time was about one
year old., George was b. 1915 Knox Co. Tx.......
If you look close you will see the railroad tracks, this might have
been station house.....I think Lewis Delano was a Section Forman,
or what might be called a Station Master.
Don't know if any one can identify where in Peacock this photo was
taken. I would like to know if it still exists.
Thanks for all your efforts to gather up information on towns of
Texas. - Frances Gandy-Walsh , July 01, 2005
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