Texas history is often told from the viewpoint of men. But there were some marvelous women writers like Teresa Griffin Vielé, Jane Cazneau (Cora Montgomery), Mary Austin Holley, and Sallie Reynolds Matthews. They saw aspects of frontier Texas from a completely different perspective. In her book Interwoven, Sallie Ann Matthews Reynolds' narratives capture the events, romances, struggles, and celebrations of the Matthews and Reynolds families from the viewpoint of a young girl

"Listen everybody, from near and far, if you wanta know who we are. We're the Light Crust Doughboys from Burrus Mill." Then the announcer on radio station KFJZ-AM, and later WBAP, would say, "The Light Crust Doughboys are on the air!" Daily at noon, such familiar names as Bob Wills, Milton Brown, and “Pappy” O’Daniel from Saginaw, Texas, would sing and entertain a large audience of faithful listeners. W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel started the Doughboys in 1931, as part of his radi

When you think of the Tyler rose, do you think of world-class rose bushes or NFL Hall of Famer Earl Christian Campbell? Both were born in the vicinity of Tyler, Smith County, Texas, and both are acclaimed as élite in their field. Formed in 1846, Smith County is about 100 miles east of Dallas and is named for Texas revolutionary veteran General James Smith. The county seat of Tyler is recognized as the Rose Capital of America and the annual Texas Rose Festival. The fertile s

High profile rivalries are nothing new in Texas. Since 1894, when the University of Texas plays against Texas A&M, there will definitely be some bodacious trash talking. When supermarkets compete, nothing matches the battle between HEB and Kroger. And then there is the longstanding rivalry between technology titans Dell Technologies of Round Rock and Hewlett-Packard of Houston. But some of the greatest rivalries in Texas occur between neighboring towns. The rivalry between

As the waters receded from the 1900 Galveston hurricane, Rabbi Henry Cohen was seen walking the island's soggy streets with members of the Central Relief Committee and a loaded shotgun. Known for helping the poor, the Rabbi was now preserving law and order in the watery chaos. Born in London, England, in 1863, Cohen became a Rabbi in 1884 and ministered in Jamaica and Mississippi. In 1888, he began serving the Congregation Temple B’nai Israel in Galveston, and married Moll

Mary found an old cannon on her property, and had it recast into a church bell! Not only was she the mother of 10 children, but Mary was a published author and a leader in the preservation of Texas history. Born in Alabama in 1818, Mary Ann Adams married Samuel Maverick in 1838 and moved to Texas. Samuel was already a veteran of the Texas Revolution, having fought in the Battle of Bexar. He was also a signer of Texas Declaration of Independence and served in various governme

Fifteen miles south of the Three Sisters motorcycle loop, you will find the most popular state park in Texas. Created in 1941, Garner State Park was named for native Texan John Nance Garner, former vice president of the United States. It was made popular in the song titled Garner State Park, by B.J. Thomas and the Triumphs. The park is known for its wildlife, wildflowers, hiking trails, and amazing cypress trees. And don’t miss climbing Old Baldy to see the Painted Rock, th

On Thursday, July 5, 1951, they cut down the old oak tree that stood near the well in Mason, Texas. For over 100 years, the tree had provided silent vigilance over the founding and growth of the town. Though it never moved, the authorities deemed that the tree was in the way of progress. Those who advocated to save the tree claimed that it should be kept for historic preservation. Many a resident had watered his horses at the adjacent well and shaded himself under the old t

“Texas is a land of eternal drought, interrupted occasionally by Biblical floods!” These words are often attributed to Galveston meteorologist Isaac Cline, whose forecast underestimated the strength of the 1900 hurricane. Though modern meteorologists have improved instruments, they still have great difficulty forecasting Texas weather. Perhaps they could just say, chili today, hot tamale! Of this I’m certain: the heat in a Texas summer can be hotter than blue blazes. Res

Reading obituaries has always been interesting to me, as long as it is not mine. A recent funeral notice spoke of an 89-year-old native Texan named Jerry. He was married for over 61 years and had numerous children and grandchildren. Jerry was born and raised in Stranger, Texas, and attended a single-room schoolhouse. Where’s Stranger? On a map, Stranger is located southeast of Waco, near Marlin. Originally known as Blue Ridge, the town was settled around 1840. It received a n