Texana

Some people erroneously mistake the “The Eyes of Texas” to be the state song. It’s easy to understand why: it’s set to a popular tune (“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”) and it is always played at University of Texas…
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Texas can claim its share of notable people—actors, artists, athletes, authors, philanthropists, political figures, singers, stars, and so on. It can also claim a master stuntman. Today’s movie and stunt fans likely won’t remember the name Robert Vandervoort. He made…
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Memorial Day weekend is coming up, and with family gatherings being planned, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what dishes to prepare and bring to the event. Fortunately, the official Texas state tree, the pecan tree, provides a…
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How does one remember the Alamo? Is it the paintings, the movies, or is it just driving through Alamo Plaza? Today, you can drive your car north on Alamo Street, turning north from Commerce Street, which runs along what would…
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When one thinks of iconic Texas places, chances are the Alamo, Goliad, and the San Jacinto Battleground come to mind. More contemporary-minded people might think of the state Capitol building in Austin. Yet none of these sites would have meaning,…
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If you’ve ever smelled natural gas—it smells like rotten eggs—you can be grateful that a state law exists requiring companies to give it that smell. In such situations, people know that there’s an open gas line or connection that must…
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As people consider the fate of the Houston Astrodome, one thing is certain—it won’t suffer the same ignominious fate as its predecessor. In fairness, Colt Stadium was never envisioned as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Former Harris County Judge…
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Stephen Fuller Austin (1793-1836) earned his place in the history books by leading Anglo-American colonization efforts in Texas. There’s no telling what he would have done had he not suffered an untimely death, at age 43, only months after Texas…
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Springtime means many things—thoughts turning to love, spring break vacations, spring cleanings, and the like. In Texas, springtime also means going out to see the bluebonnets blooming in the countryside. They’re lovely to look at and are unique to Texas….
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  Harris County has plenty of parks. This is understandable, given that the fourth-largest city in the country, Houston, is the county seat. Some of these parks are historical in nature, such as the Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston,…
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