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
In lieu of the usual Texas musical moment I normally post each night, my favorite Texas movie scene. I recognize that many Texas movie scenes are more artistic, emotionally compelling etc ... but are they this much fun?
youtu.be/Or2gV2aqZcs?...
youtu.be/Or2gV2aqZcs?...
Respect Your Elders - A clip from the film Second Hand Lions
YouTube video by Micah N. Cruz
youtu.be
February 17, 2026 at 4:03 AM
In lieu of the usual Texas musical moment I normally post each night, my favorite Texas movie scene. I recognize that many Texas movie scenes are more artistic, emotionally compelling etc ... but are they this much fun?
youtu.be/Or2gV2aqZcs?...
youtu.be/Or2gV2aqZcs?...
"I don't know why I wandered out to this part of Texas drunk, and you took me in and pitied me and helped me to straighten out, marry me. Why? Why did that happen? Is there a reason that happened? ... See, I don't trust happiness. I never did, I never will."
---- Mac Sledge, Tender Mercies
---- Mac Sledge, Tender Mercies
February 16, 2026 at 11:06 PM
"I don't know why I wandered out to this part of Texas drunk, and you took me in and pitied me and helped me to straighten out, marry me. Why? Why did that happen? Is there a reason that happened? ... See, I don't trust happiness. I never did, I never will."
---- Mac Sledge, Tender Mercies
---- Mac Sledge, Tender Mercies
Thinking of Robert Duvall (and Texas), I always liked "The Apostle," parts of which were filmed in Dallas and Denton. Robert wrote and starred in the movie, a Southern Gothic film about a charismatic Pentecostal Texas preacher named Sonny Dewey. Marlon Brando loved it and I do, too.
February 16, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Thinking of Robert Duvall (and Texas), I always liked "The Apostle," parts of which were filmed in Dallas and Denton. Robert wrote and starred in the movie, a Southern Gothic film about a charismatic Pentecostal Texas preacher named Sonny Dewey. Marlon Brando loved it and I do, too.
RIP Augustus McCrae. It was a helluva party.
February 16, 2026 at 7:18 PM
RIP Augustus McCrae. It was a helluva party.
Houston native Billy Preston and the great Nat King Cole when Billy was only 11 years old. What a great video!
youtu.be/QXX2Xw4FHBQ?...
youtu.be/QXX2Xw4FHBQ?...
11-Year-Old Billy Preston Performs Blueberry Hill | The Nat King Cole Show
YouTube video by Nat King Cole
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 3:57 AM
Houston native Billy Preston and the great Nat King Cole when Billy was only 11 years old. What a great video!
youtu.be/QXX2Xw4FHBQ?...
youtu.be/QXX2Xw4FHBQ?...
Total joy: native Houstonian Billy Preston and his friend George Harrison.
February 16, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Total joy: native Houstonian Billy Preston and his friend George Harrison.
Downtown Bartlett, Texas, played the role of 1923 Amarillo, Texas. in the TV series "1923," which is one of the shows in Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe. The show ran for two seasons. Chad Mees, the mayor of Bartlett, sent this photo to me and said they had 800 cattle in Bartlett that day.
February 16, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Downtown Bartlett, Texas, played the role of 1923 Amarillo, Texas. in the TV series "1923," which is one of the shows in Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe. The show ran for two seasons. Chad Mees, the mayor of Bartlett, sent this photo to me and said they had 800 cattle in Bartlett that day.
Mission Espada in San Antonio back in 1892 along with a current photo. Mission Espada, founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas, was the first mission in Texas. In 1731, they it over to the San Antonio River and renamed it Mission San Francisco de la Espada.
February 16, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Mission Espada in San Antonio back in 1892 along with a current photo. Mission Espada, founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas, was the first mission in Texas. In 1731, they it over to the San Antonio River and renamed it Mission San Francisco de la Espada.
A very Texan-looking man buys a saw at a small-town hardware store in San Augustine, Texas, 1943. What a face this customer has!
Taken by John Vachon.
Taken by John Vachon.
February 15, 2026 at 11:16 PM
A very Texan-looking man buys a saw at a small-town hardware store in San Augustine, Texas, 1943. What a face this customer has!
Taken by John Vachon.
Taken by John Vachon.
Still hurting over Joe Ely's death. Glad I can post this song tonight.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw9Z...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw9Z...
Saint Valentine
YouTube video by Joe Ely - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Still hurting over Joe Ely's death. Glad I can post this song tonight.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw9Z...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw9Z...
The front and back side of a valentine sent from Paris, Texas in 1910. I love the old artwork!
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
February 15, 2026 at 1:43 AM
The front and back side of a valentine sent from Paris, Texas in 1910. I love the old artwork!
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
Photo of the funeral of Juan Valentine Ramirez. who died at the age of 19. This was taken in Houston's Magnolia Park. From L-R: Juanita Sanchez Rodriguez (Ramirez's fianceé), Mrs. Isabel Angela Ramirez (Ramirez's mother), Pedro Goza and Antonio Flores. Juan Valentine Ramirez was a saxophone player.
February 14, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Photo of the funeral of Juan Valentine Ramirez. who died at the age of 19. This was taken in Houston's Magnolia Park. From L-R: Juanita Sanchez Rodriguez (Ramirez's fianceé), Mrs. Isabel Angela Ramirez (Ramirez's mother), Pedro Goza and Antonio Flores. Juan Valentine Ramirez was a saxophone player.
Crossed that ol' Red River and this is what I saw ...
youtu.be/kLL7Eu7mdIo?...
One of the greatest music videos on the internet!
youtu.be/kLL7Eu7mdIo?...
One of the greatest music videos on the internet!
Asleep At The Wheel - "Miles And Miles Of Texas" [Live from Austin, TX]
YouTube video by Live From Austin TX
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Crossed that ol' Red River and this is what I saw ...
youtu.be/kLL7Eu7mdIo?...
One of the greatest music videos on the internet!
youtu.be/kLL7Eu7mdIo?...
One of the greatest music videos on the internet!
Traces of Texas reader Judith Booker graciously sent in this wonderful shot of young ladies swimming in the Temple Lumber Company mill pond in Diboll, Texas, back in 1913. Judith's grandfather, J.O. Booker, took this photo.
Thank you, Judith. I love seeing folks back in the day having a good time!
Thank you, Judith. I love seeing folks back in the day having a good time!
February 14, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Traces of Texas reader Judith Booker graciously sent in this wonderful shot of young ladies swimming in the Temple Lumber Company mill pond in Diboll, Texas, back in 1913. Judith's grandfather, J.O. Booker, took this photo.
Thank you, Judith. I love seeing folks back in the day having a good time!
Thank you, Judith. I love seeing folks back in the day having a good time!
Watch out ladies ... Marcia Ball is going to put on her soulful dress!
"If you wanna keep your man
You better keep as sharp as you can
I'll be at my best
When I put on my soulful dress"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VuO...
"If you wanna keep your man
You better keep as sharp as you can
I'll be at my best
When I put on my soulful dress"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VuO...
Soulful Dress
YouTube video by Marcia Ball - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Watch out ladies ... Marcia Ball is going to put on her soulful dress!
"If you wanna keep your man
You better keep as sharp as you can
I'll be at my best
When I put on my soulful dress"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VuO...
"If you wanna keep your man
You better keep as sharp as you can
I'll be at my best
When I put on my soulful dress"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VuO...
The Orphan Photo of the Day was sent in by Traces of Texas reader Steven Martin. It's a Kodachrome slide of siblings posing by a highway sign on U.S. 80 in West Texas. The slide is dated September, 1958 and was likely taken at least a month earlier. 7,093' Gomez Peak rises in the background.
February 13, 2026 at 2:06 AM
The Orphan Photo of the Day was sent in by Traces of Texas reader Steven Martin. It's a Kodachrome slide of siblings posing by a highway sign on U.S. 80 in West Texas. The slide is dated September, 1958 and was likely taken at least a month earlier. 7,093' Gomez Peak rises in the background.
Traces of Texas reader shared this super interesting photo. Jerry was riding his motorcycle on a Saturday afternoon and wound up in the little community of Polar, about 20 miles north of Snyder. This sign is in front of the Polar Cemetery along with a small stone set in the ground. Read the text!
February 12, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Traces of Texas reader shared this super interesting photo. Jerry was riding his motorcycle on a Saturday afternoon and wound up in the little community of Polar, about 20 miles north of Snyder. This sign is in front of the Polar Cemetery along with a small stone set in the ground. Read the text!
Sheriff Jim Halbert was the immaculate embodiment of an East Texas lawman in San Augustine when John Vachon took this in 1943. He looks like he could be the nicest guy ever, provided you were acting right, but also like he could be .... stern ... if you crossed over the line into tomfoolery.
February 12, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Sheriff Jim Halbert was the immaculate embodiment of an East Texas lawman in San Augustine when John Vachon took this in 1943. He looks like he could be the nicest guy ever, provided you were acting right, but also like he could be .... stern ... if you crossed over the line into tomfoolery.
Cody Jinks is a native of Haltom City, Texas, and attended Haltom High School. His dad gave him a guitar and he started learning country tunes, migrated into heavy-metal for about five years in the late 1990s-early 2000s, then sort of re-migrated back. I'm digging it. youtu.be/Vfv9ijR7e6M?...
Cody Jinks - Loud & Heavy (Adobe Sessions)
YouTube video by Cody Jinks
youtu.be
February 11, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Cody Jinks is a native of Haltom City, Texas, and attended Haltom High School. His dad gave him a guitar and he started learning country tunes, migrated into heavy-metal for about five years in the late 1990s-early 2000s, then sort of re-migrated back. I'm digging it. youtu.be/Vfv9ijR7e6M?...
Women on a trolley in Seguin, 1912. They were on their way to the dedication of the main building at Texas Lutheran College. A lovely collection of hats!!
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
February 11, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Women on a trolley in Seguin, 1912. They were on their way to the dedication of the main building at Texas Lutheran College. A lovely collection of hats!!
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
Courtesy The Portal to Texas History
Two views of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient railroad depot in Fort Stockton. The first was taken right after the building was completed in 1911. The second shows the building in 2023. It's now used as the Fort Stockton Visitor's Center and it's worth a stop if you are passing through.
February 11, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Two views of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient railroad depot in Fort Stockton. The first was taken right after the building was completed in 1911. The second shows the building in 2023. It's now used as the Fort Stockton Visitor's Center and it's worth a stop if you are passing through.
A lovely young woman in (I think) a Buick convertible in front of the West Mall on the University of Texas campus in 1948. Man oh man I want that car! What a time to be young and alive and in a cool convertible in Austin!
Taken by Dewey Mears and courtesy the Austin History Center.
Taken by Dewey Mears and courtesy the Austin History Center.
February 10, 2026 at 9:39 PM
A lovely young woman in (I think) a Buick convertible in front of the West Mall on the University of Texas campus in 1948. Man oh man I want that car! What a time to be young and alive and in a cool convertible in Austin!
Taken by Dewey Mears and courtesy the Austin History Center.
Taken by Dewey Mears and courtesy the Austin History Center.
The Orphan Photo of the Day comes from TOT reader Chris Hernandez, who bought a lot of old negatives which appear to be from the Kennard/Trinity area. Does anybody recognize these two young Texas ladies? This appears to be perhaps 1955-1960. The ladies are great and so is that boat!
February 10, 2026 at 7:14 PM
The Orphan Photo of the Day comes from TOT reader Chris Hernandez, who bought a lot of old negatives which appear to be from the Kennard/Trinity area. Does anybody recognize these two young Texas ladies? This appears to be perhaps 1955-1960. The ladies are great and so is that boat!
Two old farmers conversing on a bench outside a cafe in Taylor, 1939. A classic, Norman Rockwellian slice of pure Americana. There's at least a 50% chance that one of these men is of Czech descent and has a last name with 13 consonants and 3 vowels, like Syozckezwhizck --- pronounced "Sef check."
February 10, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Two old farmers conversing on a bench outside a cafe in Taylor, 1939. A classic, Norman Rockwellian slice of pure Americana. There's at least a 50% chance that one of these men is of Czech descent and has a last name with 13 consonants and 3 vowels, like Syozckezwhizck --- pronounced "Sef check."
The Sears Roebuck store on Allen Parkway in Houston during the 1930s. Buffalo Bayou flooded so bad in Dec., 1935 that all sorts of appliances all kinds of stuff floated away. It was during the Great Depression and it was reported that folks thereabouts were happy to "help" in the cleanup. 🙃
February 10, 2026 at 12:34 AM
The Sears Roebuck store on Allen Parkway in Houston during the 1930s. Buffalo Bayou flooded so bad in Dec., 1935 that all sorts of appliances all kinds of stuff floated away. It was during the Great Depression and it was reported that folks thereabouts were happy to "help" in the cleanup. 🙃