/r/texashistory
A place to share and discuss history of the great state of Texas!
A place to share and discuss Texas history.
Posts should be focused on the history of Texas. Posts with no reference to Texas history will be removed.
Spirited conversation and sharing is encouraged. However, trolling, hate speech, etc... will not be tolerated. Spam will be removed and will result in a ban.
Rules of /r/texashistory
- Comments should contribute to the conversation. Comments that detract from the conversation, are off topic will be removed
- Hate speech, bigotry, trolling, and personal attacks are not welcome here
- Spam will be removed, spammers will be banned
We're currently creating a list of historical resources, including sites, blogs, books, and more! Want to contribute? Add to our list in the Wiki.
/r/texashistory
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Amarillo Texas dust storm - 1936
22:10 UTC
"Loading Cotton for Europe, Galveston, Texas". Although undated the ship, a British Steamer named CAPENOR, came to Galveston numerous times between the 1890's and 1908. She was ultimately sunk by a mine during the First World War.
13:58 UTC
A father and son enjoying one of the rides at The Greater Texas & Pan American Exposition, which was a World's Fair held at Fair Park in Dallas. The exhibition ran from June 12, 1937, through October 1937.
13:41 UTC
El Castille built in 1883 by Dan Waggoner.
I did a quick search, I didn't see any history of the Waggoners listed. I will more than likely make another post with some of the Waggoner history and their significance to Texas history. The color photos are some I took back in October.
El Castile: Mansion Built by Dan Waggoner in 1883
Early History (1883–1906):
The mansion, known as El Castile, was built by Dan Waggoner in 1883.
It remained in the Waggoner family until 1906, when W.T. Waggoner traded the mansion and surrounding acreage to Samuel Bellah III for a ranch in Baylor County.
The mansion served as the home of the Bellah family until the death of Mrs. Bellah in 1929, after which Mr. Bellah sold the property back to the Waggoners.
Refurbishment and Museum Proposal (1931–1934):
Around 1931, Dan’s son, W.T. Waggoner, refurbished the home.
W.T. offered the mansion to the city of Decatur to use as a museum, but the offer was declined due to concerns about the cost of upkeep.
Notable changes during this time included the sealing of a fireplace, likely as part of the restoration.
W.T. Waggoner passed away in 1934.
Ownership by the Luker Family (1945–Present):
In 1945, George T. Spears and his wife, owners of multiple Texas newspapers, purchased the mansion after hearing it was for sale. They gifted the property to their daughter, Clara Spears Luker, and her husband, Phil Luker, editor of the Decatur newspaper.
Phil Luker also served as mayor of Decatur for a time.
Interior Alterations:
Few changes have been made to the interior over the years:
A butler’s pantry was converted into the kitchen.
The original kitchen is now a family living room/den, with a previously sealed fireplace reopened.
An addition was made to the back of the house, though the exact date is unclear.
Later Years:
Phil Luker Sr. passed away in 1975.
Clara Luker passed away in 2006 at the age of 98.
Their son, Phil Luker Jr., passed away in 2020 at the age of 79.
Their daughter, Janis Luker, now owns the property and is 94 years old.
Other Historical Features:
Remnants of one of the original ranch bunkhouses can be seen in older satellite images, though the structure has since fallen.
There was once a horse barn with a full basement, though it is believed to no longer exist.
Architectural Features:
Construction Materials: The mansion is constructed from fossiliferous limestone, giving it a distinctive appearance. The exterior showcases hand-hewn wrought iron detailing on the roof and balconies, exemplifying the craftsmanship of the era.
Interior Design: The entrance hall features a grand staircase adorned with a hand-carved Texas Star motif on the walnut and oak woodwork. Massive interior doors, standing 16 feet tall, are enhanced with stained glass, casting colorful light into the interior spaces. The Victorian library is complemented by wrought iron and handmade isinglass fixtures from Denver. Additionally, the mansion boasts a large dining room, multiple bedrooms, marble baths, and a spacious kitchen equipped with a copper sink and fixtures.
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Two Texas Rangers, Nate Fuller (left) and AJ Beard, each enjoying a drink at Livingston’s Ranch Supply in Marfa. 1916.
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Five University of Texas girls in the dorm that is now the Pearl St. Co-op in Austin, 1966. The student standing at the far left is Farrah Fawcett. Born in Corpus Christi, Farrah would move to Hollywood in 1968 and become one of the biggest celebrities of the 1970's.
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March 1964:My great grandparents in San Antonio Texas while my great grandfather was in the US army I think they’re in front of the Alamo
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Rice fields on the Gulf Coast in Texas 🍚 National Geographic, April 1980
22:06 UTC
Looking west down Elm St. from the intersection at Akard in Dallas during a Victory Liberty Loan drive in 1919. The Victory Liberty Loans were a 5th and final loan drive made related to World War I, and were meant to consolidate short-term debt issued during the war.
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Main Street in downtown Alpine, Brewster County, 1920
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November 1942:mechanics check engine of SNJ at kingsville field NATC Corpus Christi Texas
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Dr. Pepper delivery driver in Waco. Although undated the "Circle A" branding tells us the photo had to have been taken between 1920 and 1923.
14:57 UTC
On June 26th 1922, WFAA radio began transmitting in Dallas-Fort Worth.
21:58 UTC
The HEB in Brownsville in 1948. The store was located on E Elizabeth St. near 10th St, but burned to the ground in 1956. A new HEB was opened in 1958.
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"Getting Ready for a Flight, Dallas, Tex, 1915". The aircraft is most likely a Curtiss Model D.
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The steamer, SS Brazos in Galveston, 1933. The 4,497 ton ship was built in 1899 and sank on January 13, 1942 after a collision with HMS Archer, an escort carrier transporting aircraft from Virginia to Jamaica.
14:46 UTC
This Ford Model T has been modified into a pickup truck near Mexia, Limestone County, circa1922. The Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company (HOWCO) was prospering from the Mexia oil boom, having cemented its 500th well in the late summer of that year.
13:43 UTC
San Antonio River Walk covered in snow in 1939.
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"A.G. McAdams Lumber Co. Office." Plano, 1910. A.G. Mc Adams was a local architect & lumber dealer. He built the Queen Anne style home at 1413 East 15th St. in 1901 which still stands today.
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Governor Ann Richards waving to the crowd in front of the Texas State Capitol building on her inauguration day. Austin, January 15, 1991.
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Downtown Round Rock, 1896. At the time Round Rock had a population of less than 1,300.
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