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
My friend Tony Drewry kindly shared this shot that he took of Butch Hancock as Butch played his harmonica at the Tolbert Chili Cookoff in Terlingua last month. Butch, perhaps the greatest Texas songwriter of them all, was onstage and Tony at the back of the crowd with a 400mm lens. So evocative!
December 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
My friend Tony Drewry kindly shared this shot that he took of Butch Hancock as Butch played his harmonica at the Tolbert Chili Cookoff in Terlingua last month. Butch, perhaps the greatest Texas songwriter of them all, was onstage and Tony at the back of the crowd with a 400mm lens. So evocative!
The El Paso White Sox baseball team circa 1915-1920. Such a glorious shot. I think my favorite is the kid (bat boy, perhaps?) sitting up front, staring a hole through the photographer. He appears to be pretty serious about the whole affair. He was probably a great bat boy!
December 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The El Paso White Sox baseball team circa 1915-1920. Such a glorious shot. I think my favorite is the kid (bat boy, perhaps?) sitting up front, staring a hole through the photographer. He appears to be pretty serious about the whole affair. He was probably a great bat boy!
Polish American Paul Minka, his wife, and their daughters outside their home in Panna Maria, Texas circa 1900. Panna Maria, the first significant Polish colony in the U.S., got it start 171 years ago today when 100 Polish families arrived in Galveston. They then walked 134 miles to their new home.
December 3, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Polish American Paul Minka, his wife, and their daughters outside their home in Panna Maria, Texas circa 1900. Panna Maria, the first significant Polish colony in the U.S., got it start 171 years ago today when 100 Polish families arrived in Galveston. They then walked 134 miles to their new home.
Photos of Washington Fire Company No. 1 at 605 Brazos St in downtown Austin, undated. Austin’s early fire protection was a patchwork of volunteer companies. Washington Fire Company No. 1 organized in 1868 and 1st operated on 6th Street. In 1885 they built this firehouse. Second shot is a closeup.
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Photos of Washington Fire Company No. 1 at 605 Brazos St in downtown Austin, undated. Austin’s early fire protection was a patchwork of volunteer companies. Washington Fire Company No. 1 organized in 1868 and 1st operated on 6th Street. In 1885 they built this firehouse. Second shot is a closeup.
When Isaac Brock died in China Spring, Texas in 1909, folks believed that he was 122 years old. His grave marker, in the China Spring cemetery, shows that he was born in 1787. But nobody really knew. Having done a bit of research, I think he was closer to 95-100. Still, a great Texas story.
December 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
When Isaac Brock died in China Spring, Texas in 1909, folks believed that he was 122 years old. His grave marker, in the China Spring cemetery, shows that he was born in 1787. But nobody really knew. Having done a bit of research, I think he was closer to 95-100. Still, a great Texas story.
A blacksmith and his son in San Augustine, 1943 He looks like Longfellow's Village Blacksmith:
Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands,
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands,
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
December 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A blacksmith and his son in San Augustine, 1943 He looks like Longfellow's Village Blacksmith:
Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands,
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands,
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
Just drink in this incredible 1943 photo of women washing a bus at the City Transit Company in Beaumont. It's a tone poem from John Vachon.
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Just drink in this incredible 1943 photo of women washing a bus at the City Transit Company in Beaumont. It's a tone poem from John Vachon.
Here's a question for my scientific notes: does anybody else just put on the Charlie Brown Christmas LP by the Vince Guaraldi Trio and just basically let it tinkle away in the background all day?
December 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Here's a question for my scientific notes: does anybody else just put on the Charlie Brown Christmas LP by the Vince Guaraldi Trio and just basically let it tinkle away in the background all day?
To celebrate Sam Houston's crossing the Red River and entering Texas for the first time 193 years ago today, I'm making chili. Naturally, I'm using Sam's recipe.
December 2, 2025 at 9:55 PM
To celebrate Sam Houston's crossing the Red River and entering Texas for the first time 193 years ago today, I'm making chili. Naturally, I'm using Sam's recipe.
Judge Roy Bean, right, as seen by Del Rio photographer J.B. Charles circa 1895. It's pretty great to see the judge himself. The judge did not allow hung juries or appeals. Jurors, who were chosen from his best bar customers, were expected to buy a drink during every court recess.
December 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Judge Roy Bean, right, as seen by Del Rio photographer J.B. Charles circa 1895. It's pretty great to see the judge himself. The judge did not allow hung juries or appeals. Jurors, who were chosen from his best bar customers, were expected to buy a drink during every court recess.
193 years ago today, Dec. 2, 1832, is an auspicious date in Texas history because it was on that date that Sam Houston crossed the Red River at Jonesborough and entered Texas for the first time. He could never, EVER have imagined all that would ensue as a result of that decision.
December 2, 2025 at 6:49 PM
193 years ago today, Dec. 2, 1832, is an auspicious date in Texas history because it was on that date that Sam Houston crossed the Red River at Jonesborough and entered Texas for the first time. He could never, EVER have imagined all that would ensue as a result of that decision.
Mrs. Eula Sprong of Houston as photographed by photographer Howard Gray in his studio. I reckon that's a pretty revealing swimsuit for those days. Courtesy the digital archives of the Houston Public Library.
December 2, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Mrs. Eula Sprong of Houston as photographed by photographer Howard Gray in his studio. I reckon that's a pretty revealing swimsuit for those days. Courtesy the digital archives of the Houston Public Library.
A woman drinks a Lone Star beer while cleaning a dove after a dove hunt in South Texas, 1961. Drinking a beer while cleaning a dove. In some locales hereabouts, mine included, a woman who drinks Lone Star while cleaning a dove is considered a pretty good catch!
December 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A woman drinks a Lone Star beer while cleaning a dove after a dove hunt in South Texas, 1961. Drinking a beer while cleaning a dove. In some locales hereabouts, mine included, a woman who drinks Lone Star while cleaning a dove is considered a pretty good catch!
The seeds of San Angelo beginning to sprout in the early 1880s. I wonder what that stone structure without a roof is on the right. It looks like a church ... but with no roof. Such a cool shot!
December 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The seeds of San Angelo beginning to sprout in the early 1880s. I wonder what that stone structure without a roof is on the right. It looks like a church ... but with no roof. Such a cool shot!
23 year old Shirley Slade at Harlingen Army Air Field in Cameron County, 1944. As a WASP, Shirley mainly flew Bell P-39 Airacobras and B-26 Marauders, both of which were considered tricky aircraft to fly. Shirley was trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, one of 1,000+ US female pilots in WW II.
December 2, 2025 at 12:31 PM
23 year old Shirley Slade at Harlingen Army Air Field in Cameron County, 1944. As a WASP, Shirley mainly flew Bell P-39 Airacobras and B-26 Marauders, both of which were considered tricky aircraft to fly. Shirley was trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, one of 1,000+ US female pilots in WW II.
I found this great photo of a smokehouse for buffalo meat while scouring the Lawrence T. Jones III Texas photo archive at SMU's Degolyer Library. So interesting. It appears to be a sod-or-earthen dugout repurposed specifically as a smokehouse for bison meat. I wonder what they used for fuel. 😉
December 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I found this great photo of a smokehouse for buffalo meat while scouring the Lawrence T. Jones III Texas photo archive at SMU's Degolyer Library. So interesting. It appears to be a sod-or-earthen dugout repurposed specifically as a smokehouse for bison meat. I wonder what they used for fuel. 😉
A Night Hawk restaurant in Austin, 1958. One cook is African American, the other white. Owner Harry Akin was quite progressive, hiring and promoting African American employees and women long before that was common and convinced other restaurants to desegregate. Courtesy the Austin History Center.
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
A Night Hawk restaurant in Austin, 1958. One cook is African American, the other white. Owner Harry Akin was quite progressive, hiring and promoting African American employees and women long before that was common and convinced other restaurants to desegregate. Courtesy the Austin History Center.
A U.S. Army hike through the desert near Fort Bliss, 1918. I love the sky and how the soldiers are almost silhouetted and almost ghostly. Desert hiking is no doubt hard, but not as hard as standing in the rain-filled trenches in France fighting in WW I, which was going on at this time.
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A U.S. Army hike through the desert near Fort Bliss, 1918. I love the sky and how the soldiers are almost silhouetted and almost ghostly. Desert hiking is no doubt hard, but not as hard as standing in the rain-filled trenches in France fighting in WW I, which was going on at this time.
Traces of Texas reader Paula Ibarra was kind enough to send in this great photo of the schoolhouse in Zavalla, Texas back in 1910. Do y'all think this is probably the entire student body?
Thank you, Paula. Really super!
Thank you, Paula. Really super!
December 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Traces of Texas reader Paula Ibarra was kind enough to send in this great photo of the schoolhouse in Zavalla, Texas back in 1910. Do y'all think this is probably the entire student body?
Thank you, Paula. Really super!
Thank you, Paula. Really super!
Hill's Cafe in Galveston, 1940s. It was located at 3502 Seawall Blvd and was an upscale restaurant comparable to Gaido’s back then. It was apparently in business for decades but I can't find much in the way of history for it. Did any of y'all ever go?
December 1, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Hill's Cafe in Galveston, 1940s. It was located at 3502 Seawall Blvd and was an upscale restaurant comparable to Gaido’s back then. It was apparently in business for decades but I can't find much in the way of history for it. Did any of y'all ever go?
When WW II began, most theaters in Texas were charging 10 cents per ticket. But they dropped their fare nine cents after Pearl Harbor because anything 10 cents or more was subject to a "defense tax," and managers found it easier to drop the price than to do the math. Shown: Texas theater in Denton.
December 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
When WW II began, most theaters in Texas were charging 10 cents per ticket. But they dropped their fare nine cents after Pearl Harbor because anything 10 cents or more was subject to a "defense tax," and managers found it easier to drop the price than to do the math. Shown: Texas theater in Denton.
A fence made from agave plants aka century plants near Harlingen in 1910. Having had my share of unfortunate run-ins with agaves, I can assure you that they would make a barrier that no cattle would want to try to move through. I think this would work pretty well.
December 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A fence made from agave plants aka century plants near Harlingen in 1910. Having had my share of unfortunate run-ins with agaves, I can assure you that they would make a barrier that no cattle would want to try to move through. I think this would work pretty well.
Texas is so randomly beautiful. Here's some fall color and a white fence on a late fall afternoon near Winedale. This is one of my own photos, taken in November, 2020.
December 1, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Texas is so randomly beautiful. Here's some fall color and a white fence on a late fall afternoon near Winedale. This is one of my own photos, taken in November, 2020.
A crowd shops a White Elephant sale at McClurkan's in Abilene, 1969. I don't know any of these folks, of course, but all of them feel familiar to me. I swear the women look like half the women who went to my church back then. Taken by Jimmy Cochrane and courtesy the Portal to Texas History.
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
A crowd shops a White Elephant sale at McClurkan's in Abilene, 1969. I don't know any of these folks, of course, but all of them feel familiar to me. I swear the women look like half the women who went to my church back then. Taken by Jimmy Cochrane and courtesy the Portal to Texas History.
Mary Anna and Jacob Groff stand with their youngest son and their dog in front of their stone farmhouse in Castroville, Texas circa 1910. Isn't this a spectacular Texas photo?
Courtesy UTSA's Special Collections library.
Courtesy UTSA's Special Collections library.
December 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Mary Anna and Jacob Groff stand with their youngest son and their dog in front of their stone farmhouse in Castroville, Texas circa 1910. Isn't this a spectacular Texas photo?
Courtesy UTSA's Special Collections library.
Courtesy UTSA's Special Collections library.