History On The Brink of Extinction- Jaun Antonio Badillio, a Texas born Mexican, otherwise known as a Tejano, was a surveyor who lived around Nacogdoches the 1830s. He also owned a few parcels of land. One parcel of land Badillo is said to have owned is just west of Grapeland, Texas. A two-story dogtrot style […]
Category: history
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Juneteenth
Juneteenth Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. June 19, is recognized as a state holiday or observed in 42 states. Texas is widely considered the first state to begin Juneteenth celebrations with informal observances taking place for over a century. […]
Home Is Where the History Is
Home Is Where the History Is By Dana Goolsby PALESTINE- Not all historic homes have a plaque or marker on the tourist map, but rest assured every house as a history. And in Palestine, a city dappled with some of the oldest infrastructure in the state of Texas, there are historic homes on almost every […]
How Much Do You Know About Bluebonnets?
Texans hold wildflowers in high regard, but none is as distinguished as the Texas Bluebonnet. The flower has inspired legends, myth, folklore, festivals, family portraits, all kinds of art, and Texas road trips. Historian Jack Maguire once said the bluebonnet is “a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and […]
Another Milestone for the Texas State Railroad
Rusk, Texas- This week, the Texas State Railroad gained another new freight customer. Viper Rail has contracted with the TSRR to store empty tanker cars. Some of the cars were used for hauling oil and others for hauling methanol. They are currently stored on the line adjacent to the TSRR’s Rusk Maintenance Shop. This week’s […]
Galveston Historical Foundation to Celebrate Nicholas Clayton Day with Free Admission to 1892 Bishop’s Palace
Galveston Island, Texas– For Galveston’s most beloved architect’s 175th birthday, Galveston Historical Foundation will be joining the City of Galveston for a special week of celebration to conclude with Nicholas Clayton Day on Sunday, November 1. The public is invited to the 1892 Bishop’s Palace from 10 am – 5 pm for complimentary admission to […]
The Marx Brothers & the Runaway Mule
The Marx Brothers & the Runaway Mule By Tim Bryant In 1910, the Marx Brothers, who were touring America under the name The Nightingales, had just finished a short engagement at the beautiful Opera House in Galveston and headed north, finding themselves in the oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches. Staying at the Redland Hotel on […]
1892 Bishop’s Palace to Host Expanded Guided Tour and “The Art of the Calling Card” Discussion
Galveston Island, Texas– In Victorian Galveston, calling was a ritualized way of visiting friends, navigating society, sending sentiments, and carrying out all communications necessary for a successful social life. A person who didn’t participate or observe the strict rules of calling ran the risk of being categorized as “ill bred,” the ultimate Victorian insult. Guests […]
Anderson County Poor Farm
Anderson County Poor Farm By Dana Goolsby Palestine- “Winding up on the Poor Farm,” wasn’t just an expression or an idle phrase used to describe a bad business venture a long time ago. Poor Farms, poor houses or almshouses, are not a figment of your parent’s, grandparent’s, or your great-grandparent’s imaginations. They were a very real […]
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site: An East Texas Ancient Civilization
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site: An East Texas Ancient Civilization- More than 1,200 years ago, a group of Caddo Indians known as the Hasinai built a village and ceremonial center just east of Weches. Today, three earthen mounds still rise from the Neches River valley which was the southwestern-most ceremonial center for the great Mound […]
Tornado Leaves Providence Gone With The Wind
Tornado Leaves Providence Gone With The Wind By Dana Goolsby Providence, Texas- At least six towns in Texas were named Providence. Providence, Texas in east Anderson County isn’t even a ghost town any more; Providence has been forgotten. But those who visit the site, cemetery searchers, and others who take a wrong turn off of […]
Galveston Heritage Festival to Debut August 15th
Galveston Island, Texas– Book your passage now for Galveston Historical Foundation’s newest event, the Galveston Heritage Festival! Enjoy music, food and entertainment from numerous cultural groups and organizations from throughout Texas while learning more about the early days of immigration through the Port of Galveston. Held in Kempner Park at 27th and Avenue O, the […]
Starr Cemetery
Starr Cemetery ELKHART- Starr Cemetery is located atop Starr Hill just north of Elkhart, in Anderson County. The cemetery is the final resting place of the descendants of John Starr (1797 – 1872), Texas pioneer. John Starr was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, Aug. 29, 1797. He married Susannah Parker, sister of Pilgrim Church […]
Mission Tejas State Park
Mission Tejas State Park By Dana Goolsby Houston County- East Texas is full of amazing history and natural beauty. Mission Tejas State Park fully encompasses both the rich history of East Texas and the natural wonder and beauty of the Pineywoods and affords visitors the chance to experience both to the fullest extent. Mission Tejas State Park is […]
Historic Walking Tours Are Back For Fall In Nac
Nacogdoches, Texas – Come hear the stories and see the sights of the oldest town in Texas each Saturday in October, excluding SFA’s homecoming weekend (October 25). Historic downtown walking tours start at 10:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center, located at 200 E. Main St. Tickets are $3 and can be purchased beginning at 10 a.m. […]
Braly Builders Supply- A True Texas Treasure
Palestine, Texas- Local community leaders, business owners, and government officials gathered at Braly Builders Supply on Thursday, August 27, where they celebrated the presentation of the Texas Treasure Business Award with the Braly family. Braly Builders Supply, named “Coolest Hardware Store on the Planet” in 2014 by Ace Hardware, received the Texas Treasure Business Award […]
Chained Together For Eternity
Chained Together For Eternity By Jeff Campbell / Jeff In Jefferson Photo by Jeff Campbell When visiting the Historic Oakwood Cemetery, in Jefferson, an observer can view numerous angelic monuments, mausoleums and historic gravestones but one monument is unique. This monument is not only unique to Jefferson’s Oakwood Cemetery but is also a one of […]
Martha’s Chapel
Martha’s Chapel By Dana Goolsby Walker County- Just outside of Huntsville lies a forgotten community tucked away down a winding dirt road under the pines. Little remains of the early East Texas community, with the exception of one of the oldest burial grounds in Walker County and memories passed on from early settlers. Martha’s Chapel […]
Living History of Oak Grove Cemetery
Living History of Oak Grove Cemetery NACOGDOCHES- On Saturday, May 4, 2013, the Friends of Historic Nacogdoches, Inc. and the City of Nacogdoches Historic Sites Department will host the 1st annual Living History of Oak Grove Cemetery Tour. Oak Grove Cemetery was first established circa 1837, and it was later designated as a Historic Texas […]
Winds of Change Leave Waneta Community In the Dust of the Past
Winds Of Change Leave Waneta Community In The Dust Of The Past Grapeland, Texas- The oldest county in Texas was a booming place in the Pineywoods many years ago. Early settlers chose to make their homes under the pine tree canvas of Houston County, and tame the area. Communities began to take shape and lives […]
One Of The Oldest Structures In East Texas Still Stands
One Of The Oldest Structures In East Texas Still Stands- Jaun Antonio Badillo, a Texas born Mexican, otherwise known as a Tejano, was a surveyor who lived around Nacogdoches in the 1830s. He also owned a few parcels of land. One parcel of land Badillo is said to have owned is just west of Grapeland. A two-story dogtrot style […]
Old Barn In Blackfoot
Old Barn In Blackfoot By Dana Goolsby BLACKFOOT- Here’s a great old barn I stumbled upon last winter in Blackfoot, Texas. Blackfoot is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Palestine. Around 1850 a member of the family of Cynthia Anne Parker preached at a primitive church in the area. The name of the community originated […]
Christmas Tour of Homes
Nacogdoches, Texas- Spend the afternoon touring some of Nacogdoches’ most elegant private residences at the annual Tour of Homes presented by Friends of Historic Nacogdoches, Inc. and sponsored by the Nacogdoches County Board of Realtors. The tour will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 during the height of the Christmas season offering attendees […]