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Gassing up the
Goodrich Flyer c. 1923.
Dan Martinets (seated) with his father, an early aviation fan. |
This
is where we normally put our "History in a Pecan Shell", however Granger
presented us with a gift in the form (the rather long form) of Dan
Martinets, who was born, and raised in Granger and has recently
returned. Due to Mr. Martinets' generous gift of time and information,
we're able to bring you much more than our usual "Nutshell" history.
We were invited to Mr. Martinets' house, and listening to his stories
about Granger's history was like watching a movie with the director
beside you, for he was there for some of the more interesting moments.
(See Granger Chronicles According
to Dan Martinet.)
Mr. Martinets, who has sometimes been known as "St.
Dan", was born in 1920, less than a year from Armistice Day, which
Granger appropriately celebrated with joint, but separate festivities.
For Granger was Czech community on the west side of the railroad tracks
and Anglo on the other.
Dan was from the west side and spoke no English until he went to school.
He wasn't all that excited about going, but took to it at once, with
all of his grades being in the 90s except for penmanship, which was
a lowly 83. Public School was on the Eastside and the closing bell
started the Czech boys on their mad dash to their own territory. |
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Davilla Street
awaiting a parade
(Looking west - city hall building on right.) |
by Clay Coppedge
Dan Martinets used to walk along the railroad tracks running through
the heart of his hometown, Granger, and dream of getting on one of
those trains and never coming back.
That was in the 1920s, when both Granger and Martinets were young
and in their prime. Now Granger would seem to be yet another small
town with a great future behind it and Martinets has passed on; he
died two days before Christmas last year... more |
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Armistice
Day Westside of Granger
Martinets' store in background |
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Armistice
Day Eastside
(Note effigy of Kaiser to left of flag) |
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| Martinets
Store in 1918 and the store today |
Miniature Cotton
Bales on their way to the Texas
Centennial (1936).
Hats courtesy of Amon Carter |
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SPJST
Building and Band. c1909
Rhinehart Hotel is visible behind parapet of small building.
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The Hoxie House
(Built in 1882, burned in 1934)
was already deteriorating in the early 1900s when this picture was
taken. |
John
R. Hoxie was once mayor of Chicago and the house was a centerpiece
of a 9,000 acre ranch where he bred horses and cattle. Later the ranch
was broken up into small parcels and became the community of Hoxie,
Texas.
You could see the Capitol
Building in Austin
from the widow's walk of the house. |
Granger Texas
Forum
How exciting
to see such a wonderful history of this small town my Father remembers
so fondly! ... Thank You! - Cindy Nemec Lloyd
Granger Images Courtesy of Dan
Martinets
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories
and recent/vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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