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Category Archives: Local Lore
Stagecoach Road
A Dusty Trail of Legends and Haunts
By Dana Goolsby
MARSHALL- Red dirt roads sprawl beneath the pine tree canvas of East Texas offering a slower pace, and are perfect for a scenic drive. But not every dirt road in the Pineywoods leads to mystery and folklore like one in particular just outside of Marshall, Texas. Stagecoach Road in Harrison County has been in use since the early 1800’s, and has been the source of many, many tales, racing heart beats, and chill bumps that will raise the hair on the back of your neck for decades among East Texans. Continue reading
The Kettle House
GALVESTON- For over half of a century rumors, myths, and urban legends have swirled about the mysterious Kettle House on Galveston Island, and still no one seems to have the facts. MYETX visited the Kettle House a few weeks ago when we were on the Island. Although little is known about the strange structure, the Kettle House is a must-see site. Continue reading
Lick Skillet
BETHANY- “Lick Skillet” is not just something you did when the grub was good, although, it was most certainly something you did when the grub was good if you didn’t have a biscuit to sop it up. It is a name deeply rooted in East Texas culture. For over a century, Lick Skillet is a name that has been attached to roads, creeks, and communities.
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The Poisonous Poinsettia Myth
The poinsettia is a culturally and commercially important plant known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. For nearly 100 years, the myth of the poisonous poinsettia myth has warned people not to taste the crimson red petals.
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Nacogdoches Scientist Claims Bigfoot DNA Analysis Reveals Human Hybrid
East Texas- Dr. Melba S. Ketchum of Nacogdoches, TX says she and her team of scientists have sequenced the genome of legendary Bigfoot. Ketchum’s five-year-long DNA study claims to confirm bigfoot is a human relative that arose about 15,000 years ago as a hybrid cross of modern Homo sapiens with an unknown primate species. Continue reading
Possible Black Panther or Black Bear Caught on Camera in Anderson County
Palestine- This photo was taken just outside of Palestine, off Highway 287 North by a local resident’s game camera. Some people believe the animal in the photo is possibly a black panther. Others say the animal in question could be a black bear. MYETX wants to know what you think! Email us your comments to myetx.team@gmail.com or comment below.
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Cryptopalooza 2012 Marks the 45th Anniversary of the Patterson Film
Jefferson- Cryptid Hunters, film makers, scientists, writers, and enthusiasts gathered in Jefferson over the weekend for Cryptopalooza, marking the 45th anniversary of the Patterson Film. A lot of creatures lurk in the swamps and bayous near Jefferson, perhaps even Bigfoot. Numerous encounters with a hairy mythic creature have come out of Jefferson over the years, which made it the perfect location for the Bigfoot community to gather for a two-day conference and focus on those curious creatures whose existence has yet to be proven. Continue reading
aMULEts #3: The Nacogdilla
By Tim Bryant / aMULEts
Did you know that there are over twenty species of armadillo, mainly differentiated by the number of bands on their armor? Almost all of them can be found in North America, the most common being the nine-banded species commonly found dead on the shoulders of East Texas roadways. Continue reading
How to Take the Sting Out of Texas Bull Nettle
Texas bull nettle (Cnidoscolus texanus) is more than capable of defending itself from potential herbivores or an unwary naturalist. Bull nettle is a good plant species to know and respect! It has many uses and can be very beneficial, but it also packs a mean sting if you stumble upon it or fail to handle it properly. Most people who grew up in East Texas know to keep a sharp eye out for this plant. One sting from bull nettle is not something that will soon, if ever, be forgotten.
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Thunder In January
East Texas Weather-Lore
East Texas- Thunder in January means more than rumbling in the sky to many East Texans. For many, many years East Texans have been predicting the weather by trying to make heads or tails of signs from Mother Nature. The state of the weather is often the first subject people discuss when they meet. If you are living in East Texas it is highly likely you have been hearing thunder that began yesterday evening on January 8. What does thunder in January mean? Continue reading
Psychic Persimmons
By Dana Goolsby
East Texas- With fall in full swing and winter approaching people are curious about what Mother Nature has in store. If the Doppler radar bores you or if you enjoy a bit of folklore, there are other ways to predict the weather.
Haunted Jefferson
Jefferson- Do you believe in ghosts? If not, a trip to Jefferson might just change your mind. Jefferson has been called the most haunted small town in Texas. Fans of the supernatural and strange and unusual should head to Jefferson this October and tour the boom and bust area, where old spirits wander and taunt those who disturb them. Some say some of the original residents of Jefferson are still living Deep in the Pineywoods town today. Continue reading
Dowsing For Graves & Witching For Water
By Dana Goolsby
Some call it science others call it supernatural. Call it what you will, but dowsing has proven to be an effective method that has been used for centuries to find underground objects of interest. The art of dowsing can be traced back to the days of cave men through cave paintings and was officially documented during the middle ages. Not everyone believes in the ancient technique and some say even say it is tied to witchcraft. Modern day dowsers use the technique to find lost graves, water, archeological sites, buried treasures, coal and oil. Dowsing and witching in East Texas could turn up anything from pioneers to buried treasure! Continue reading
Blood Sucking Chupacabras, Mutants, and Mangy Coyotes- Oh My!
By Dana Goolsby
The mythical blood-sucking beast from Mexico known as the chupacabra has been roaming the Pineywoods since 2004. Some say the hideous vampire beast is nothing more than a mangy coyote. Others think the beast is a mutant result from the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia crash that slung debris across East Texas. Still, others contend the hairless creature is a hybrid canine, as the result of breeding among feral dogs and coyotes. The difference in this East Texas legend and other mysteries that have eluded area residents and scientists for years is the hard evidence that proves there is an ugly, hairless, dog-like critter meandering about. Continue reading
Do You Believe?
Texas Bigfoot Conference 2011
Tyler- Calling all cryptid hunters and Bigfoot believers! In just a few weeks seekers of the strange and unusual will converge on Tyler, Texas. October 1st, the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy (TBRC) will host its annual Texas Bigfoot Conference, for the third consecutive year in Tyler. This is the eleventh year that the Texas Bigfoot Conference has been held, previously taking place in Jefferson. Continue reading
The Black Beast of the Pineywoods
By Dana Goolsby
Legends of black cats run deeper than a little superstition in East Texas. Sightings of mysterious black panthers that scream like women in the pine jungles are not at all uncommon in the Pineywoods. Tales of the mysterious screaming beast have been raising hairs on the back of East Texans’ necks for the better part of nearly two centuries.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) black panthers do not exist. TPWD biologist Charlie Muller said it is more likely people are seeing a black hog, or perhaps an otter. Muller even told KLTV, “You’d have better luck finding Bigfoot.” Continue reading
Ghost Indians and Spirits of Confederate Soldiers Wandering Houston County
By Dana Goolsby
The oldest county in Texas is believed to be hallowed ground where the spirits of Indians and Confederate soldiers roam freely. Neither the Indians nor Confederate soldiers were successful in their endeavors as they waged wars to preserve the ways of their people. Many believe the restless spirits wander the county in angst. Continue reading
The Haunting of Parker Cemetery- 
A good ghost story, whether read aloud or spun around a campfire, is always a little better at Halloween. In Texas, the ghost stories get better with age, through blending the diverse Texan cultures, tall tales, and timeless stories. Some of the haunted Texas legends are humorous, some are haunting, while others are terrifying. Continue reading
Huntsville – Bowden Road, perhaps better known as ”Demon’s Road,” has a steady flow of reports regarding the experiences travelers claim to have while driving down the old dusty road. People that wander off down “Demons Road” tell tales of disturbing encounters, and an eerie feeling that sweeps over anyone who dares disrupt the spirits said to be lingering down the road. “Demon’s Road” leads to an old burial ground known as Martha’s Chapel Cemetery. Continue reading
East Texas Wooly Booger: Fact Or Faked?
By Dana Goolsby
Under the piney wood canvas of East Texas, mysterious legends give way to area folklore. East Texas folklore has passed along the mythical tales of the strange and unusual for over 250 years, including the legend of the elusive creature known as Bigfoot. Continue reading