Traces of Texas

The Arcane Texas Fact of the Day: According to Jerry Flemmons, this is how much things cost in Texas back in 1857: Whiskey: 15 cents per pint Gingham cloth: 31 1/4 cents per yard Silk velvet: 20 cents per yard Sugar: 17 cents per pound Ladies' shoes: 1.75 per pair Buckshot: 25…

A cowboy shops for saddles in a saddle shop in Alpine, 1939. I think Russell Lee, who took the photo, had a fascination with saddles. He took dozens of photos of saddles, saddle makers, folks shopping for saddles etc ... Maybe, like so many people, he always wanted to be a…

youtu.be/JTzQhr6AQdM?si… Before Patsy Cline had a gigantic hit with Willie's "Crazy," Billy Walker, a Texan, had a pretty big hit song with Willie's "Funny How Time Slips Away." Both were released in 1961: Funny How Time Slips away in April, "Crazy" in October. Billy Walker…

Ozzy Osborne has died. Normally, he being an Englishman and all, I wouldn't mention it here, but this is a Texas history page and there is, well, you know ... THAT. For those totally unfamiliar with the story, on February 19, 1982, Ozzy Osbourne found himself in San Antonio,…

Traces of Texas reader Toni Carter graciously sent in this bodacious photo of her father-in-law and a group of children in Abilene circa 1939. I'll give y'all ONE GUESS as to which child he is! Thank you, Toni. TOO great!

This photo has the simple inscription "A Senorita with a Guitar" on the back. It was take in San Antonio sometime in the 1880s. All I can say with certainty is that it was taken by a photographer named N. Winter who had a portrait studio in The Alamo City at that time. I think…

A shoeshine boy in San Antonio, 1949. Terrific shot of a young entrepreneur, don't y'all think? It was taken by Russell Lee 10 years after he took most of the photos that I've posted here. By this time, Lee had moved to Austin, where he would be based for the rest of his life.…

The "new" Foley's store at the corner of Main and Houston in Dallas, 1952. I'm sure that some of y'all must have shopped there. Anybody know when it went out of business?

A hotel lobby in Austin, 1958. I am not great with design styles, but am I right in saying that this is mid-century modern, that it's all the rage right now, and that this same layout would cost a pretty penny? Taken by Austin commercial photographer Dewey Mears and courtesy the…

Traces of Texas reader Derrel Lyon kindly was nice enough to share this great shot of a store in Pleasant Grove back in 1936. Derrell included a great caption: "This is the heart of Pleasant Grove when it was just a rural and unincorporated part of Dallas County, and before it…

Two men fishing on Tierra Blanca Creek in the Texas Panhandle circa 1905. Tierra Blanca Creek starts out in eastern New Mexico and winds its way into the Texas Panhandle, where it eventually merges with Palo Duro Creek just southeast of Amarillo. These days, the creek isn’t…

Tickets, please! Inside the train depot in Mexia, Texas back in 1911. Photo courtesy the Portal to Texas History.

Let's polka! More greatness from the Vrazels, probably the best-known Central Texas polka band. This one was always one of my favorites! youtu.be/s9GieC25na0?si…

Traces of Texas reader Eliasar Cerda was so kind as to send in this lovely wedding portrait. Shown are, from L-R: Albert Handy, Daniel Munoz, Maria Eloisa Handy, and Adela Munoz. Daniel Munoz married Maria Eloisa Handy on June 16, 1903 at Esperanza Ranch, which was owned by…

Luling, Texas native Michael Dorn, who played Lt. Com. "Worf" in several Star Trek ventures, has been on-screen in more Star Trek episodes and movies as the same character than anybody else: he appeared in 175 episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," 102 episodes of "Deep…

Traces of Texas reader Kyle King thoughtfully submitted this nifty 1891 photo of his great great grandfather, William King, at the age of 75 at his Seguin homestead. With William is his wife Euphemia Texas Davis Ashby King and their dog, Peaches. Euphemia was the first girl born…

Otto Lindig drinking beer with some other old German guys from Fredericksburg, 1968. That's famed Luckenbach "imagineer" Hondo Crouch with no shirt on. Looks like Hondo paid: his wallet is on the table. They are drinking Pearl beer. I love the Pearl clock on the wall and the…

Y'all ... I hate to break into my regularly scheduled content and I hesitate to post this, but I feel I have to in the name of public service. I have been sent the attached photo of Willie and Patsy Cline about 30 times over the past four days, including three times in the…

The Arcane Texas Fact of the Day: Roky Erickson, lead singer for the great 1960s psychedelic group the 13th Floor Elevators, got the name "Roky" from a mash-up of his first and middle names: he was born Roger Kynard Erickson. Hence, Roky. I only mention it because I was watching…