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
An adobe outhouse with an adobe windbreak on the old "Walking X" Ranch near Marfa, 1939. Pretty fancy!
Taken by Russell Lee.
Taken by Russell Lee.
December 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
An adobe outhouse with an adobe windbreak on the old "Walking X" Ranch near Marfa, 1939. Pretty fancy!
Taken by Russell Lee.
Taken by Russell Lee.
This afternoon the universe smiled upon me in a glorious way when the fickle fates of the used book Gods and the capricious officials of the U.S. Post Office conspired to deliver THREE used books. Any day is Christmas when you buy used books that will arrive in ... 17 months, I think it is.
December 9, 2025 at 10:13 PM
This afternoon the universe smiled upon me in a glorious way when the fickle fates of the used book Gods and the capricious officials of the U.S. Post Office conspired to deliver THREE used books. Any day is Christmas when you buy used books that will arrive in ... 17 months, I think it is.
One of my own photos, taken in Grapeland, Texas on a hot summer Saturday night years ago. It's a 10 second time exposure. I put my camera on a tripod, focused on Chapman's Hardware, waited until the train approached, and took the photo. The streaks that you see are the lights of the train passing.
December 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
One of my own photos, taken in Grapeland, Texas on a hot summer Saturday night years ago. It's a 10 second time exposure. I put my camera on a tripod, focused on Chapman's Hardware, waited until the train approached, and took the photo. The streaks that you see are the lights of the train passing.
Traces of Texas reader Daisy Scheske graciously shared this fine photo of Lady Bird Johnson speaking in Gonzales, Texas, in 1968. That's Mayor Fred Scheske second from left, wearing glasses. People have strong opinions about LBJ, but I've never heard anybody say a bad word about Lady Bird.
December 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Traces of Texas reader Daisy Scheske graciously shared this fine photo of Lady Bird Johnson speaking in Gonzales, Texas, in 1968. That's Mayor Fred Scheske second from left, wearing glasses. People have strong opinions about LBJ, but I've never heard anybody say a bad word about Lady Bird.
If you know, you know.
Wichita Falls, Texas.
Wichita Falls, Texas.
December 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
If you know, you know.
Wichita Falls, Texas.
Wichita Falls, Texas.
One of the most beautiful Christmas photos of them all: Christmas time in Thorndale, Texas circa 1956. At first I thought that perhaps it had snowed but now I think that what I thought was snow is just the bright lights being reflected off the pavement. A dreamlike photo, don't you agree?
December 9, 2025 at 7:17 AM
One of the most beautiful Christmas photos of them all: Christmas time in Thorndale, Texas circa 1956. At first I thought that perhaps it had snowed but now I think that what I thought was snow is just the bright lights being reflected off the pavement. A dreamlike photo, don't you agree?
A scene on the San Antonio River circa 1890. One of many awesome photos taken by the renowned Jacobson studio there. A beautiful shot, don't y'all think?
December 9, 2025 at 2:56 AM
A scene on the San Antonio River circa 1890. One of many awesome photos taken by the renowned Jacobson studio there. A beautiful shot, don't y'all think?
Oh my goodness ... how classic is this photo of Mrs. Rushing, the wife of the mayor of San Augustine, Texas, washing dishes at home in 1943? Her wallpaper, her mixing bowls, her apron, her enamel pans ... a dream of a photo. And doesn't she have a kind face?
Taken by John Vachon.
Taken by John Vachon.
December 8, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Oh my goodness ... how classic is this photo of Mrs. Rushing, the wife of the mayor of San Augustine, Texas, washing dishes at home in 1943? Her wallpaper, her mixing bowls, her apron, her enamel pans ... a dream of a photo. And doesn't she have a kind face?
Taken by John Vachon.
Taken by John Vachon.
Center Avenue in downtown Brownwood, Texas circa 1920.
December 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Center Avenue in downtown Brownwood, Texas circa 1920.
The Dullnig-Rische grocery store in San Antonio circa 1890. That's obviously Mssrs. Dullnig and Rische standing in front. I think they're posing with their delivery wagon. It appears that, if you need some thread or some chicken feed, these guys might have you covered.
December 8, 2025 at 1:43 AM
The Dullnig-Rische grocery store in San Antonio circa 1890. That's obviously Mssrs. Dullnig and Rische standing in front. I think they're posing with their delivery wagon. It appears that, if you need some thread or some chicken feed, these guys might have you covered.
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, at least 78 Texans died --- perhaps as many as 86. Many were aboard the Arizona when the ship was heavily damaged and sank at her moorings. One of them was the young man shown here, Seaman First Class Samuel Adolphus Abercrombie.
December 7, 2025 at 7:21 PM
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, at least 78 Texans died --- perhaps as many as 86. Many were aboard the Arizona when the ship was heavily damaged and sank at her moorings. One of them was the young man shown here, Seaman First Class Samuel Adolphus Abercrombie.
Traces of Texas reader Morris Wilson kindly shared this wonderful photo of a family in Nugent, Texas, 1908. Morris does not know who they are. All I know is that they appear to be proud of their watermelon --- justifiably so, in my opinion, as it looks like a dandy!
December 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Traces of Texas reader Morris Wilson kindly shared this wonderful photo of a family in Nugent, Texas, 1908. Morris does not know who they are. All I know is that they appear to be proud of their watermelon --- justifiably so, in my opinion, as it looks like a dandy!
Black Pumas version of the classic Wichita Lineman is pretty dang good!
youtu.be/lSUhCxSNXo0?...
Another super Texas band!
youtu.be/lSUhCxSNXo0?...
Another super Texas band!
Black Pumas - Wichita Lineman (Amazon Original)
YouTube video by Black Pumas
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Black Pumas version of the classic Wichita Lineman is pretty dang good!
youtu.be/lSUhCxSNXo0?...
Another super Texas band!
youtu.be/lSUhCxSNXo0?...
Another super Texas band!
Traces of Texas reader Gloria Martinez kindly shared this photo of her cousin, Matt Martinez, founder of Matt's El Rancho in Austin. The iconic restaurant will be 75 years old in two years. I was just hankerin' for some Bob Armstrong dip!
Thank you, Gloria. Super duper!
Thank you, Gloria. Super duper!
December 7, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Traces of Texas reader Gloria Martinez kindly shared this photo of her cousin, Matt Martinez, founder of Matt's El Rancho in Austin. The iconic restaurant will be 75 years old in two years. I was just hankerin' for some Bob Armstrong dip!
Thank you, Gloria. Super duper!
Thank you, Gloria. Super duper!
Costumed young men and women in Gatesville, Texas circa 1895. The clothing is very elaborate. What do y'all reckon the occasion was? A homecoming queen and her court? A play? Glorious shot!
One of many great photos Traces of Texas reader Mary Newton Maxwell donated to the Portal to Texas History.
One of many great photos Traces of Texas reader Mary Newton Maxwell donated to the Portal to Texas History.
December 7, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Costumed young men and women in Gatesville, Texas circa 1895. The clothing is very elaborate. What do y'all reckon the occasion was? A homecoming queen and her court? A play? Glorious shot!
One of many great photos Traces of Texas reader Mary Newton Maxwell donated to the Portal to Texas History.
One of many great photos Traces of Texas reader Mary Newton Maxwell donated to the Portal to Texas History.
Two men talking at the railroad tracks in Rayondville, Texas. My impression is that the man on the left is a laborer and the man on the right needs labor of some kind. Russell Lee took other photos of this scene and it's pretty apparent that it was a gathering site for day laborers.
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Two men talking at the railroad tracks in Rayondville, Texas. My impression is that the man on the left is a laborer and the man on the right needs labor of some kind. Russell Lee took other photos of this scene and it's pretty apparent that it was a gathering site for day laborers.
Two sisters (I presume) in Canadian, Texas circa 1915-1920. I think they might be redheads. They appear to be having a good time, don't they? It's so nice to see smiles from back then. I love the way the one sister is trying to look coy in the photo on the right. Another great shot from Julius Born.
December 6, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Two sisters (I presume) in Canadian, Texas circa 1915-1920. I think they might be redheads. They appear to be having a good time, don't they? It's so nice to see smiles from back then. I love the way the one sister is trying to look coy in the photo on the right. Another great shot from Julius Born.
Texas Tech is going to win the national championship in football, aren't they? Guns up!
December 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Texas Tech is going to win the national championship in football, aren't they? Guns up!
The Texas Quote of the Day: "Calves are just heavy puppies."
---- one old farmer reacts to another old farmer telling him that his newborn calf is a happy, affectionate calf, as overheard at Steglich Feed & Farm Supply in Bartlett, Texas. I like it. I've known a few that meet that description.
---- one old farmer reacts to another old farmer telling him that his newborn calf is a happy, affectionate calf, as overheard at Steglich Feed & Farm Supply in Bartlett, Texas. I like it. I've known a few that meet that description.
December 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The Texas Quote of the Day: "Calves are just heavy puppies."
---- one old farmer reacts to another old farmer telling him that his newborn calf is a happy, affectionate calf, as overheard at Steglich Feed & Farm Supply in Bartlett, Texas. I like it. I've known a few that meet that description.
---- one old farmer reacts to another old farmer telling him that his newborn calf is a happy, affectionate calf, as overheard at Steglich Feed & Farm Supply in Bartlett, Texas. I like it. I've known a few that meet that description.
Santa Fe’s train No. 67, northbound, leaving Dallas enroute to Paris, Texas, in 1952. The trip, which is about 111 miles, took a little less than four hours to make. Such cool trains back then. I'd love to ride in a train that looks like this one.
December 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Santa Fe’s train No. 67, northbound, leaving Dallas enroute to Paris, Texas, in 1952. The trip, which is about 111 miles, took a little less than four hours to make. Such cool trains back then. I'd love to ride in a train that looks like this one.
If folks ask about high school football in Texas, just show them this video of the Henrietta football team's sendoff for its playoff game about a week ago. Henrietta is a town of about 3,000 in North Texas, 18 miles southeast of Wichita Falls.
youtube.com/shorts/IGCzC...
It's different here.
youtube.com/shorts/IGCzC...
It's different here.
Henrietta, Texas football team gets another big sendoff
The horses were back for the Henrietta, Texas football team.
youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
If folks ask about high school football in Texas, just show them this video of the Henrietta football team's sendoff for its playoff game about a week ago. Henrietta is a town of about 3,000 in North Texas, 18 miles southeast of Wichita Falls.
youtube.com/shorts/IGCzC...
It's different here.
youtube.com/shorts/IGCzC...
It's different here.
An arial view of the capitol 1950. Austin looks like a sleepy, pastoral, bucolic burg, doesn't it? Hardly any traffic! Little did folks sitting out on their porches drinking lemonade or ice tea on a drowsy Sunday afternoon suspect what a metropolis it would become. From the Austin History Center.
December 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
An arial view of the capitol 1950. Austin looks like a sleepy, pastoral, bucolic burg, doesn't it? Hardly any traffic! Little did folks sitting out on their porches drinking lemonade or ice tea on a drowsy Sunday afternoon suspect what a metropolis it would become. From the Austin History Center.
A child feeds with a wagon feeds his/her chickens somewhere in Texas. This photo is undated but it's a cabinet card so probably early 1900s and most likely in Dallas, since that's where the collection from which it comes is a Dallas collection. Courtesy SMU's Degolyer Library.
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A child feeds with a wagon feeds his/her chickens somewhere in Texas. This photo is undated but it's a cabinet card so probably early 1900s and most likely in Dallas, since that's where the collection from which it comes is a Dallas collection. Courtesy SMU's Degolyer Library.
The portraits that Julius Born was able to take in the makeshift studio in the back of his store in Canadian, Texas, are art. This photo of a cowboy was taken by Julius circa 1915. I say he's a cowboy but he might just be a drugstore cowboy, Simple but stunning. From the Portal to Texas History.
December 6, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The portraits that Julius Born was able to take in the makeshift studio in the back of his store in Canadian, Texas, are art. This photo of a cowboy was taken by Julius circa 1915. I say he's a cowboy but he might just be a drugstore cowboy, Simple but stunning. From the Portal to Texas History.
A Comanche woman with son in a cradleboard, sometime between 1907-1930. The cradleboard is a pretty neat piece of engineering, keeping a baby safe, upright, and secure while the mother went about the business of daily life—traveling, gathering food, tending horses. Taken by Edward S. Curtis.
December 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A Comanche woman with son in a cradleboard, sometime between 1907-1930. The cradleboard is a pretty neat piece of engineering, keeping a baby safe, upright, and secure while the mother went about the business of daily life—traveling, gathering food, tending horses. Taken by Edward S. Curtis.