Purveyor of Texas history and culture. Cowboy boots junkie and chronicler of all things Lone Star. 100% organic, free-range Texas content. A politics-free feed. DON'T get political! Buy me a coffee? Click here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tracesoftexashttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muvh5cqgjc2zNothing but two pairs of Levis --- and a pair of Justin Boots! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LteDhoJTBbA&list=RDLteDhoJTBbA&start_radio=1 Now me and Ernie Taylor we left Denver yesterday We's a haulin his ol' scorpion horse home By the time we reached my cattle guard well it was plain to see that everything I had at home was gone.07 Sep 2026 02:21 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muvh5cqgjc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muuq4khqxc2oA woman washes clothes the old-fashioned way outside a stone house in Terlingua, 1937.06 Sep 2026 19:29 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muuq4khqxc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muul2743ak2oTraces of Texas reader Gary Osborn was so kind as to share this nifty 1957 shot of a man working at the Coca Cola distributer in Bastrop, Texas. Lifting another crate, cigarette in mouth, he's just takin' what they're givin' 'cause he's workin' for a livin'. Thanks, Gary. Super duper!06 Sep 2026 17:58 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muul2743ak2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muuhhcjhvs2eThe Texas Quote of the Day: "I knew it was a hit song, even though I didn't like it, and still don't." ----- Waylon Jennings writes about Luckenbach, Texas, in his 1996 autobiography. Waylon said that he disliked the song because he had to sing his own name in the third-person. Here: Waylon at 21.06 Sep 2026 16:54 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muuhhcjhvs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3musy6giuok2fThis song was a huge hit for Bobby Helms in 1957. I just learned that it was written by Lawton Williams, a Fort Worth based singer and songwriter who wrote a number of hit songs. I listened to Bobby Helms' version and then Willie's version and I like Willie's more. youtu.be/mbyArTZBzUw https://youtu.be/mbyArTZBzUw06 Sep 2026 02:48 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3musy6giuok2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3musupn7nok25TOT reader Stephanie Maloff graciously submitted this wonderful photo, taken in 1940 in Kyle, Texas. As you can see, the Kyle Fire Department was requesting folks not to let their cattle graze in front of the fire department. Things have changed a little bit in Kyle. 😉 Thanks, Stephanie!06 Sep 2026 01:46 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3musupn7nok25https://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3musi6c2afs2eThe bank in Gail, Texas, 1937. I'm watching football and on my phone so I don't have the time to virtually drive the streets of Gail to see if this building still stands, but it wouldn't surprise me. I'd love it if somebody who knows were to chime in on that. Taken by Carl Mydans.05 Sep 2026 22:01 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3musi6c2afs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mus7uvr6qs2fThis might not be the most Texas photo I've ever seen, but it might be the most "Tex-Czechiest." Traces of Texas reader David Becak kindly shared this photo of a poppyseed kolache from the Kountry Bakery in Schulenburg covered in Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream. One word: YUM. Thanks, David!05 Sep 2026 19:33 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mus7uvr6qs2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muqqv4c5yc2zObservation: It's nice to put your boots on but it's just as nice to take them off.05 Sep 2026 05:32 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muqqv4c5yc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muq36fnna22cThis is Jacob Luckenbach, the man who created the community that ultimately became Luckenbach, Texas.04 Sep 2026 23:04 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muq36fnna22chttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mup6j6zjbs26The Arcane Texas Fact of the Day: Sheriff Matt Dillon on TV's "Gunsmoke" was a Texan. Per the show's backstory, he had been born in San Antonio, the son of a Texas Ranger. He was portrayed by actor James Arness, who was in reality a Minnesotan and the brother of actor Peter Graves.04 Sep 2026 14:31 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mup6j6zjbs26https://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3munr537cfs2gTraces of Texas reader Reece Smoak thoughtfully submitted this dynamite photo of a soda fountain in the tiny town of Kirkland, Texas, which is the area from which Reece's family hails. Reece doesn't know who these men are, but the two in front look familiar to me, like actors I've seen.04 Sep 2026 00:58 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3munr537cfs2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mun6zxvjrc2uPeter Wright kindly sent in this shot of the Country Tavern in Kilgore. I have never been there, but Peter says the brisket is excellent. I love it when y'all send in shots like this as I just keep adding to my list of places I need to visit when I travel through Texas. And good brisket, too boot!03 Sep 2026 19:35 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mun6zxvjrc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muigeuqjns2vA clerk records the sales at a horse auction in Eldorado, Texas, 1939. He looks like an efficient young man. As you can see, he's sitting next to the auctioneer, who's standing with a microphone. The man on the far right has a quintessential West Texas face, I think. Taken by Russell Lee.01 Sep 2026 22:03 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muigeuqjns2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mui4jnvntc2nLadies and gentlemen ... the 1915 Longview high school football team. Check out those goalposts! I wonder what they'd say if they could see what the game has become 111 years later.01 Sep 2026 19:06 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mui4jnvntc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muhsn5vbts2fThe Texas Quote of the Day: "Texanness is next to oddliness." ---- Me, Traces of Texas. I had this printed on 10 stickers and have affixed them to various public places (always with owner's consent) around Texas. I will send a free Traces of Texas t-shirt to the first reader to send in a photo01 Sep 2026 16:09 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhsn5vbts2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muhoty6fl22rFounded in 1871, the Phoenix Saloon in New Braunfels made history as the first bar in Texas to serve women. At a time when a respectable lady simply did not set foot inside a saloon, the owners came up with a clever workaround: a beer garden out back, complete with a bell hanging from a tree.01 Sep 2026 15:02 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhoty6fl22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mudssxwztk27races of Texas reader Anthony Burk graciously shared this terrific circa 1900 shot of his great grandfather's saloon in Dallas. It was located at 301 N. Akard street. As you can see, it has the required spittoons and cigars. Really great. Thank you, Anthony. I'd have loved to have been a fly here!31 Aug 2026 02:02 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mudssxwztk27https://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muddtrfers2oThere I was, out in West Texas. It was 107 degrees, and I was looking for a place to get out of the sun. “But where should I go?” I asked myself. “Were there only a sign!” I said.🙂😀 One of my own photos, taken in Valentine, Texas, just last week.30 Aug 2026 21:34 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muddtrfers2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mucwakgb2k2mTraces of Texas reader Rita Ruth Ramon was nice enough to send in this super shot of her grandfather and his sons. All of them were real cowboys on spreads on the McFaddin Ranch, the Lazy F Ranch, the O'Brian Ranch etc... All of these ranches are in the Bee/Goliad/Victoria/Refugio counties area.30 Aug 2026 17:31 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mucwakgb2k2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mucs56ae3s26The Texas Quote of the Day: "I read that book, 'Lonesome Dove,' and I told my agent that they were gonna make a miniseries out of it and I wanted to be in it. I didn't care what part." --- Barry Corbin, who played Roscoe Brown in the series. Barry is a Texan, of course, having been born in Lamesa.30 Aug 2026 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mucs56ae3s26https://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mubdsnywak2wyoutu.be/BCjbMdY8dZE I love it when I'm able to uncover a very specific Texas history factoid that coincides with a Texas musical moment. It was 91 years ago today, on August 29, 1935, that Bob Wills hired piano player Al Stricklin, who essentially created western swing piano, like on this song. https://youtu.be/BCjbMdY8dZE30 Aug 2026 02:28 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mubdsnywak2whttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muar3qfddc2vI took this video of the old San Jose Mission in Polvo, Texas, a few days ago. The first church was built in 1871 but fell into disrepair and was abandoned around 1900. This newer edifice was built in 1914 but, over time, was abandoned. It was in sad shape but has been restored and is now a B&B.29 Aug 2026 20:53 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muar3qfddc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muafzx2scs2kThe Arcane Texas Fact of the Day: Happy 137th birthday to the town of Wichita Falls, which incorporated on August 28, 1889. That's a heck of a lot of candles on the ol' birthday cake. Shown here: Kemp Road in Wichita Falls 90 years later, in 1979.29 Aug 2026 17:35 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muafzx2scs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3muafvo4vmc2kThe Arcane Texas Fact of the Day: Happy 137th birthday to the town of Wichita Falls, which incorporated on August 28, 1889. That's a heck of a lot of candles on the ol' birthday cake. Shown here: Kemp Road in Wichita Falls 90 years later, in 1979.29 Aug 2026 17:33 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3muafvo4vmc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mu6uo5lsec25The great Dolly Parton and Freddy Fender, the pride of San Benito, Texas. youtu.be/l-Vyue8fQ8o https://youtu.be/l-Vyue8fQ8o29 Aug 2026 02:52 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu6uo5lsec25https://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mu6emkekic2nA young woman in Waxahachie circa 1895. I wish I knew her name. This was taken by W.L. Harper, one of three brothers who maintained photography studies in a number of Texas towns. Courtesy the Lawrence T. Jones Archive at SMU's Degolyer Library.28 Aug 2026 22:05 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu6emkekic2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mu6b36fy4k2nKristin McDaniel was digging through a box of old photos in a thrift store in La Grange when she came across this hand-colored photo of Wanda Itasca Nixon at the age of 11, and was captivated. Per a hand-written note on the photo, this was taken in 1931 and Wanda lived at 1815 N. 7th Street in Waco.28 Aug 2026 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu6b36fy4k2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mu6ajg3q5s2wTheTex-Mex news stand in Corpus Christi, 1949. The owner, Alfonso Orea Velez, told photographer Russell Lee that he had anything anybody would ever want to buy, or he would get it. Note that most of the available Russell Lee photos were taken in 1939, but this was truly taken in 1949. Wonderful!28 Aug 2026 20:51 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu6ajg3q5s2whttps://bsky.app/profile/tracesoftexas.bsky.social/post/3mt4znoh5xc2ryoutu.be/tIgg_QjJCxQ?si=QaEO7DVkofm2s1A0 My favorite performance of my all-time favorite Texas song. Transcendent lyrics by the brilliant Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore's plaintive voice, Jerry Douglas' dobro and Bill Frissell's guitar. Too great. You can tell that they knew they nailed it. https://youtu.be/tIgg_QjJCxQ?si=QaEO7DVkofm2s1A015 Aug 2026 15:50 +0000at://did:plc:2lngift75yfsgmnbhd2vmkol/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt4znoh5xc2r