Traces of Texas
@tracesoftexas.bsky.social
Purveyor of Texas history and culture. Cowboy boots junkie and advocate 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/tracesoftexas
A Gandy's dairy delivery man in San Angelo, 1940. Gandy's had been in business for 16 years then, having opened in 1924. They are still in business today, 101 years later. Pretty darn impressive, I think, to have survived all the buffeting economic trends over all those years. Taken by Russell Lee.
December 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
A Gandy's dairy delivery man in San Angelo, 1940. Gandy's had been in business for 16 years then, having opened in 1924. They are still in business today, 101 years later. Pretty darn impressive, I think, to have survived all the buffeting economic trends over all those years. Taken by Russell Lee.
The coldest temperature in San Antonio history came on Jan. 31, 1949: 0 degrees. Austin also had its coldest temperature ever that day, reaching 2 degrees below zero. Not saying this will be on the pop quiz later, but I'm not saying it won't be. 😀
Photo courtesy the Portal to Texas History.
Photo courtesy the Portal to Texas History.
December 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The coldest temperature in San Antonio history came on Jan. 31, 1949: 0 degrees. Austin also had its coldest temperature ever that day, reaching 2 degrees below zero. Not saying this will be on the pop quiz later, but I'm not saying it won't be. 😀
Photo courtesy the Portal to Texas History.
Photo courtesy the Portal to Texas History.
Family members in front of a Christmas Tree in Fort Worth, 1965. There's an excellent chance the little girl is still alive. Anybody recognize her? Tell her she's on Traces of Texas!
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History.
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History.
December 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Family members in front of a Christmas Tree in Fort Worth, 1965. There's an excellent chance the little girl is still alive. Anybody recognize her? Tell her she's on Traces of Texas!
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History.
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History.
Main Street in downtown Houston circa 1965. Looks like a vibrant, colorful place. I love that Lone Star beer sign about 3/4 of the way down across the street. Woolworths, too.
December 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Main Street in downtown Houston circa 1965. Looks like a vibrant, colorful place. I love that Lone Star beer sign about 3/4 of the way down across the street. Woolworths, too.
The fire chief and the city secretary at city hall in San Augustine, Texas, 1943. Can you guess which one is which?
A fabulous shot by John Vachon.
A fabulous shot by John Vachon.
December 23, 2025 at 12:38 AM
The fire chief and the city secretary at city hall in San Augustine, Texas, 1943. Can you guess which one is which?
A fabulous shot by John Vachon.
A fabulous shot by John Vachon.
I promise you that this version of "Merry Christmas Baby" by Bonnie Raitt and Charles Brown, who was born in Texas City and raised in Galveston, is the best Texas Christmas song you've heard this year. 😀 Listen and tell me if you agree!
youtu.be/aCJuHT0HIOk?...
youtu.be/aCJuHT0HIOk?...
Bonnie Raitt & Charles Brown - Merry Christmas Baby - Tonight Show 10-10-1992
YouTube video by Bonnie's Pride and Joy
youtu.be
December 22, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I promise you that this version of "Merry Christmas Baby" by Bonnie Raitt and Charles Brown, who was born in Texas City and raised in Galveston, is the best Texas Christmas song you've heard this year. 😀 Listen and tell me if you agree!
youtu.be/aCJuHT0HIOk?...
youtu.be/aCJuHT0HIOk?...
An annual Christmas party for orphans in El Paso on Dec. 23, 1929. Look at this photo! The faces on the kids! Some of them probably became doctors and lawyers, some probably became criminals. But all of them fresh scrubbed for a dinner in a nice hotel and so hopeful. 1 second later, pandemonium. 😀
December 21, 2025 at 9:07 PM
An annual Christmas party for orphans in El Paso on Dec. 23, 1929. Look at this photo! The faces on the kids! Some of them probably became doctors and lawyers, some probably became criminals. But all of them fresh scrubbed for a dinner in a nice hotel and so hopeful. 1 second later, pandemonium. 😀
Traces of Texas reader Sammy Jamison was so kind as to submit this nostalgic photo of himself in front of the gas pumps at his father's service station in Higgins, Texas. It was taken in 1951.
Thank you, Sammy! Nice photo!
Thank you, Sammy! Nice photo!
December 21, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Traces of Texas reader Sammy Jamison was so kind as to submit this nostalgic photo of himself in front of the gas pumps at his father's service station in Higgins, Texas. It was taken in 1951.
Thank you, Sammy! Nice photo!
Thank you, Sammy! Nice photo!
Traces of Texas reader Stan Watty kindly shared this "extremely rare photo of Willie Nelson and Keith Richards building the pyramids" and asked if I could verify its authenticity. I actually did laugh out loud. Thank you, Stan. I needed it today!
December 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Traces of Texas reader Stan Watty kindly shared this "extremely rare photo of Willie Nelson and Keith Richards building the pyramids" and asked if I could verify its authenticity. I actually did laugh out loud. Thank you, Stan. I needed it today!
Ernest Tubb - I'll Be Walkin' The Floor This Christmas
YouTube video by VCJ Playlists
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:29 AM
A cowboy with his saddle in a barn on a ranch near Marfa. Whoopee-ty-yi-oh, 'git along little doggies!
Taken by Russell Lee.
Taken by Russell Lee.
December 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
A cowboy with his saddle in a barn on a ranch near Marfa. Whoopee-ty-yi-oh, 'git along little doggies!
Taken by Russell Lee.
Taken by Russell Lee.
Millie Turley and Ella Tindell splitting wood on Christmas Day in Denison, Texas. The photo is not dated but certainly early 1900s. Excellent sun bonnets!
December 20, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Millie Turley and Ella Tindell splitting wood on Christmas Day in Denison, Texas. The photo is not dated but certainly early 1900s. Excellent sun bonnets!
A woman wearing a stole in San Antonio. All I know is that her last name was Carson. The words "junior biennial" are written on the back. Any ideas what the black thing atop her hat is? I'm mystified.
December 20, 2025 at 8:28 PM
A woman wearing a stole in San Antonio. All I know is that her last name was Carson. The words "junior biennial" are written on the back. Any ideas what the black thing atop her hat is? I'm mystified.
A baby sleeps under a Christmas tree in the corner of his living room in the home of a construction workman in Corpus Christi, 1940. The family had come to Corpus Christi from northwest Texas eight months before.
Photo from Russell Lee.
Photo from Russell Lee.
December 20, 2025 at 2:47 AM
A baby sleeps under a Christmas tree in the corner of his living room in the home of a construction workman in Corpus Christi, 1940. The family had come to Corpus Christi from northwest Texas eight months before.
Photo from Russell Lee.
Photo from Russell Lee.
Good friends, a roaring fire ---- a perfect time for a hot Dr. Pepper!
youtu.be/Duz6CB9nofQ?...
Where were you in 1968?
youtu.be/Duz6CB9nofQ?...
Where were you in 1968?
1968 COLD & HOT DR. PEPPER COMMERCIAL - Dick Clark
YouTube video by Saturday's World
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Good friends, a roaring fire ---- a perfect time for a hot Dr. Pepper!
youtu.be/Duz6CB9nofQ?...
Where were you in 1968?
youtu.be/Duz6CB9nofQ?...
Where were you in 1968?
Rockyfellers hamburgers on Camp Bowie Blvd in Fort Worth, 1953. . Waffles, 20 cents. Two Eggs and Chili, 40 cents. Pie a la Mode, 20 cents. Some stools, a pretty small counter .... simplicity. What a cool-looking place.
Another fabulous photo courtesy texashistory.unt.edu
Another fabulous photo courtesy texashistory.unt.edu
December 19, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Rockyfellers hamburgers on Camp Bowie Blvd in Fort Worth, 1953. . Waffles, 20 cents. Two Eggs and Chili, 40 cents. Pie a la Mode, 20 cents. Some stools, a pretty small counter .... simplicity. What a cool-looking place.
Another fabulous photo courtesy texashistory.unt.edu
Another fabulous photo courtesy texashistory.unt.edu
Traces of Texas reader Mike Rosebery took this fine photo of a man named Richard "Dolly" Stromie in Borger, Texas in 1974. Dolly owned Dolly's Western Wear and Curios, but it was also a pawn shop. He sold military surplus, guns, jewelry, boots and saddles, and real estate. He was a WW II vet.
December 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Traces of Texas reader Mike Rosebery took this fine photo of a man named Richard "Dolly" Stromie in Borger, Texas in 1974. Dolly owned Dolly's Western Wear and Curios, but it was also a pawn shop. He sold military surplus, guns, jewelry, boots and saddles, and real estate. He was a WW II vet.
Traces of Texas reader Earl Ratibor shared this close-up of Liz Taylor on the set. I have never seen this photo. About 20 years ago in Marfa I talked to an older man who worked as a cowboy on the movie. As his wife nodded in agreement, he told me Liz was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
December 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Traces of Texas reader Earl Ratibor shared this close-up of Liz Taylor on the set. I have never seen this photo. About 20 years ago in Marfa I talked to an older man who worked as a cowboy on the movie. As his wife nodded in agreement, he told me Liz was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
When Joe Ely and Bruce Springsteen jammed on one of Joe's songs. The video quality isn't the best but the sound is pretty great.
youtu.be/V8KFZSY7edc?...
I have stumbled on the plains
Staggered in the wind
Stood at a crossroad or two
Cried to a river
Swept to the sea
All just to get to you
youtu.be/V8KFZSY7edc?...
I have stumbled on the plains
Staggered in the wind
Stood at a crossroad or two
Cried to a river
Swept to the sea
All just to get to you
all just to get to you - bruce springsteen & joe ely
YouTube video by runawaydream
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 3:43 AM
When Joe Ely and Bruce Springsteen jammed on one of Joe's songs. The video quality isn't the best but the sound is pretty great.
youtu.be/V8KFZSY7edc?...
I have stumbled on the plains
Staggered in the wind
Stood at a crossroad or two
Cried to a river
Swept to the sea
All just to get to you
youtu.be/V8KFZSY7edc?...
I have stumbled on the plains
Staggered in the wind
Stood at a crossroad or two
Cried to a river
Swept to the sea
All just to get to you
youtu.be/iiBPXlQ5cF8?...
Joe Ely's version of "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" is stellar. When Joe toured with the Clash in the late 1970s one critic said that, when Joe opened, he poured gasoline all over the place and the Clash came on and lit the match. It was that incendiary.
RIP Joe Ely!
Joe Ely's version of "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" is stellar. When Joe toured with the Clash in the late 1970s one critic said that, when Joe opened, he poured gasoline all over the place and the Clash came on and lit the match. It was that incendiary.
RIP Joe Ely!
Should I Stay Or Should I Go (The Clash cover) – Joe Ely
YouTube video by Rockula Bacchus
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 4:34 AM
youtu.be/iiBPXlQ5cF8?...
Joe Ely's version of "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" is stellar. When Joe toured with the Clash in the late 1970s one critic said that, when Joe opened, he poured gasoline all over the place and the Clash came on and lit the match. It was that incendiary.
RIP Joe Ely!
Joe Ely's version of "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" is stellar. When Joe toured with the Clash in the late 1970s one critic said that, when Joe opened, he poured gasoline all over the place and the Clash came on and lit the match. It was that incendiary.
RIP Joe Ely!
Del Rio circa 1890. It has the classic look of a parched desert town in Texas, doesn't it? I can almost imagine a band of outlaws riding in, shooting up the town, then bellying up to the bar in the saloon and demanding whiskey from a quaking bartender. The barefoot boy with the hat is fantastic!
December 16, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Del Rio circa 1890. It has the classic look of a parched desert town in Texas, doesn't it? I can almost imagine a band of outlaws riding in, shooting up the town, then bellying up to the bar in the saloon and demanding whiskey from a quaking bartender. The barefoot boy with the hat is fantastic!
Traces of Texas reader David Strickland kindly shared this 1963 photo of himself and his sister Cindy at Foleys in downtown Houston. Cindy was six years old and David was just shy of 3 years old --- and apparently not having a real good time. A documentary about longtime Santas would be fascinating.
December 16, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Traces of Texas reader David Strickland kindly shared this 1963 photo of himself and his sister Cindy at Foleys in downtown Houston. Cindy was six years old and David was just shy of 3 years old --- and apparently not having a real good time. A documentary about longtime Santas would be fascinating.
A boy with his new Christmas present in Austin, 1946. Don't you just know that, about 17 minutes later, somebody REALLY regretted giving this lad a drum with a cymbal? 😀
Taken by well-known Austin photographer Neil Douglass.
Taken by well-known Austin photographer Neil Douglass.
December 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A boy with his new Christmas present in Austin, 1946. Don't you just know that, about 17 minutes later, somebody REALLY regretted giving this lad a drum with a cymbal? 😀
Taken by well-known Austin photographer Neil Douglass.
Taken by well-known Austin photographer Neil Douglass.
Dewey Mears took this moody, atmospheric photo of Austin's Congress Avenue in 1947. It's almost film-noirish, isn't it? I wonder what it was like to walk down the sidewalk when Austin was a normal, quiet town. 😉
From the Austin History Center, a great place to visit if you're in downtown Austin.
From the Austin History Center, a great place to visit if you're in downtown Austin.
December 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Dewey Mears took this moody, atmospheric photo of Austin's Congress Avenue in 1947. It's almost film-noirish, isn't it? I wonder what it was like to walk down the sidewalk when Austin was a normal, quiet town. 😉
From the Austin History Center, a great place to visit if you're in downtown Austin.
From the Austin History Center, a great place to visit if you're in downtown Austin.