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Birds-eye view
of Taylor, Texas, looking North West
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Taylor
had several prosperous periods, sponsored in a large part by the cattle
and cotton industries.
One inventive theater/candy shop owner invented a sauerkraut-flavored
candy that was popular with locals, but failed to catch on nationally.
The secret of his success was having two long rows of candy cabinets
on either side of the theater's recessed entry. Moviegoers would be
forced to run the tempting gauntlet, and passersby could buy even
if they didn't want to see the show. |
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History
in a Pecan Shell
Historical Marker (Main Street, in front of Taylor City Hall):
City of Taylor
When the International
& Great Northern Railroad built across Williamson
County in 1876, one of the towns created along its route was "Taylorsville",
named for railroad executive Moses Taylor. Lots were sold in June,
and the post office opened on August 9, 1876. the earliest settlers
included railroad officials such as I.&G.N. president John R. Hoxie
and agent Henry Dickson, and merchants such as C. p. Vance, who moved
his general store from Circleville. John McMurray started a private
school, and Moritmer R. Hoxie donated land for a cemetery. Methodist
and Presbyterian churches were organized in 1876, and other congregations
the following year.
Located on a cattle trail, the new community soon became a major shipping
point for cattle. A second rail line, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas,
was extended to Taylorsville in 1882, spurring further growth. The
town was incorporated in 1882 with Daniel Moody, father of Texas governor
Dan Moody (1893-1966), as its first mayor. In 1892 the city's name
was shortened to "Taylor". By that time, cotton
had joined cattle
and the railroad as an important element in the local economy. Today
light industry and diversified farming contribute to Taylor's prosperity.
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International
& Great Northern Railroad Depot,
Taylor, Texas, 1908
Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
More Texas
Depots |
International
& Great Northern Shops, Taylor, Texas
Click on image to enlarge
Postcard
courtesy Dan
Whatley Collection |
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Moody
Museum by Mike Cox
This restored Victorian House (c. 1887) was the birthplace of Governor
Dan Moody.
Taylor Public Library
More of Taylor's interesting and frequently offbeat history can
be found at the Taylor Public Library at 721 Vance Street. 512-352-3434.
Contact the Chamber for a driving tour map. Taylor has a
wonderful array of 19th Century buildings that went up after
their devastating fire in 1879. Sunday is a great day to visit downtown.
Architectural details abound in cast iron staircase supports, granite
building corner protectors (at least one) and stained glass and
stone. Several antique shops are open and so is the Moody Museum.
Event
Taylor Rattlesnake Sacking Championships in March.
Like Dave Berry says: "We are not making this up." Call the Chamber.
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Immanuel Lutheran
Church in Taylor
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2005 |
The Odd Fellows
Building in Taylor
TE Photo, 2004 |
Looking North
on Main Street, Taylor, Texas, 1900s
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Saturday Afternoon,
Second & Main Street,
Taylor, Texas, 1916
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
| Photo
courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Taylor, Texas
Chronicles
Battle
of Brushy Creek by Mike Cox
More than a decade before Texas celebrated a centennial of independence
from Mexico by putting up hundreds of historical markers across
the state, the school children of Taylor collected money for a stone
marker commemorating a little-known fight between Comanche warriors
and Texas Rangers called the Battle of Brushy Creek. ... more
The
Banker by Mike Cox
Hotel
Blazimar c1943
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Taylor, Texas
Famous Sons
The Moody Museum
was the birthplace of Governor Dan Moody. While he's always
mentioned for prosecuting the KKK in Williamson
County, he also brought honesty back to State Government after
the corrupt reign of the Fergusons (A Ma and Pa business, if ever
there was one), reclaiming hundreds of thousands of dollars for
Texas. As Governor, he also declared martial law in Borger
and sent in Texas Rangers to clean up the lawless element.
Tex
Avery
by Clay Coppedge
Other famous
sons include actor "Rip"
Torn and Bill
Pickett who liked his meat rare. Pickett was honored posthumously
with a postage stamp partially because of his talent of "bulldogging"
or throwing a bull by biting its upper lip. Someone suggested a
festival based on this unusual talent, but Taylorites decided they
would rather sack rattlesnakes.
Elmer
"Pet" Brown: The Idol of His Fans by Clay Coppedge
"One of the biggest sporting events ever held in Williamson
County took place in May of 1914 in Taylor when a well-liked and
highly respected local lad by the name of Elmer D. "Pet" Brown faced
off against Mike Yokel of Utah for the welterweight wrestling championship
of the world at the Taylor Opera House.
That such a high-profile event should be taking place in Taylor
might sound odd, but Taylor was the center of wrestling activity
in the state in the early twentieth century. "There was a wrestler
in almost every block in Taylor, Texas," Langdon Richter wrote of
those years in Taylor.
more
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Former
theatre in Taylor
TE photo |
Nearby
Destinations
Hwy 95 South
16 miles to Elgin via Coupland
with its picturesque downtown and railroad depot, another 17 miles
south to Bastrop.
Hwy 95 North
34 miles to Temple.
Hwy 79 West
17 miles to Round Rock,
then I-35 South 18 miles to Austin.
Taylor
Hotels
Taylor Chamber of Commerce - 512-365-8485
1519 North Main, Taylor, Texas 76574
Website: www.taylorchamber.org
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Taylor, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Blazimar Hotel
Those of us born and raised in Taylor know that the Blazimar (spelling
correction) was named after Bland, Zizinia and Marse. We are unsure
of who the Zilkers might be as they or unknown to Taylorites. By
the way, I checked the Taylor Public Library archives to be certain
of my information and the spelling of The Blazimar. Thank you, Ella
Jez, March 10, 2009
Subject:
Blazilmar Hotel story
My grandparents (Paul and Eureka Ferguson) managed the Blazimar
hotel in Taylor, Texas, in the late 1950s and I spent several
summers there. I well remember James the elevator man and even helped
as his special assistant sometimes when he was busy with some chore
my grandmother thought up. He taught me how to ease the lever down
to stop exactly even with the floor so the guest doesn't trip.
Your reminiscence page brought back such a flood of old memories
it makes me eager to write an article for your magazine. Meanwhile,
[here is] my 2004 short story, set in 1958 at the Blazilmar. "Waiting
for Elvis" is fiction, but based on actual events. It won second
place in the Denver Woman's Press Club ---- In-House Writer's Contest
in 2005! - Shere Chamness, August 22, 2007
Subject:
Hotel
Blazimar
I grew up in Taylor also and I remember the Blazimar Hotel very
well. I have a brother that worked across the street at the Blazilmar
garage as a mechanic. I remember coming home from boot camp from
San Diego and arriving on a greyhound bus. - Bennie Mitchell, Amarillo
Texas, March 18, 2006
I'm looking
for historic information about Taylor Texas. My father James Vester
Taylor was born and grew up there. His father, Christopher Columbus
Taylor, married to Mary Alice Taylor had a cotton farm there for
their adult life. My father told me that we were descendents of
the naming Taylor, but he is since deceased and I have no further
information. Can you refer me to any links, books, etc., where I
might find information. Your site brought back memories. - Vera
(Taylor), Seattle, Washington, December 04, 2005
Thank you sooo
much for your coverage of Taylor! We really do appreciate it. You
do great work for our small towns! - Shelly Hargrove, Main Street
Project Manager
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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