Come and Take It: Recent Episodes
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Come and Take It is a talk show about Texas, by Texans. Three friends born and raised in Texas share their views on the state's history, culture, and just what it means to be Texan.
We love Texas. We love talking about Texas. After six and half years of exploring the history and culture of the Lone Star state, we three Texans are ready to take a break.
If you’re subscribed and caught up, Happy New Year! Today we reflect on some great Texas New Year questions as we look back on 2019 and look forward to 2020.
On December 23, 1927, a gang of men led by Santa Claus robbed a bank and set off one of the largest manhunts in the history of Texas. It is one of the most astonishing stories of infamy and ineptitude in the history of crime.
Texas if full of iconic imagery: The Lone Star Flag, the Alamo, cowboy hats, pickup trucks, and—perhaps most iconically—cowboy boots. Today we're talking about some of the people who put Texan footwear on the map.
It's easy to imagine that Texas sprang into being just in time for the Texas Revolution, but it was actually part of another revolution before that. For thirteen years, Texas was under the control of Mexico and the men in charge of the state were often as idealistic—and flawed—as the men who would run the Republic of Texas after them. Today is part two of the Mexican Governors of Texas.
It's easy to imagine that Texas sprang into being just in time for the Texas Revolution, but it was actually part of another revolution before that. For thirteen years, Texas was under the control of Mexico and the men in charge of the state were often as idealistic—and flawed—as the men who would run the Republic of Texas after them. Today is part one of the Mexican Governors of Texas.
He heard of Houston an' Austin so, to the Texas plains he jest had to go, Where freedom was fightin' another foe, an' they needed him at the Alamo. This week we talk about the legendary Disney movie 'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier'.
This week revisit a holiday favorite. There were no turkeys, pumpkin pies, or Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving celebrated in Texas. In fact, it occurred over 20 years before any Englishman set foot on Plymouth Rock. This week we look at the remarkable story of America’s REAL first Thanksgiving!
He was the ultimate country music outlaw, who broke from the Nashville norm and forged his own path. This week we continue our discussion of the legendary Waylon Jennings.
He was the ultimate country music outlaw, and somehow it's taken us six years to record an episode on this Texas legend. This week we talk about the one and only Waylon Jennings.
How can you support Texas' state parks and historic sites in November 2019? By voting! This week we talk about Proposition 5 and Texas' parks and landmarks!
Willie Nelson is one of the all time great Texan musicians, but his struggles for success in Nashville before finding his sound are legendary. This week we compare and contrast some of the songs that others made famous in Willie's early days.
What do Terry Funk, Dusty Rhodes, and David Von Erich have in common? They are integral to the surprising connection between two great professional wrestling hotbeds. This week we are joined by special guest Barry Rose, as we look back on Texas and Florida wrasslin' memories.
Sometimes we run across a story that we can’t quite stretch into a full episode on its own. Today we thought we’d bring you some interesting stories we wanted to bring to you as kind of a potpourri of odds and ends
We're looking back at an episode about one of the historic music halls of Texas. For fifteen years, a former bowling hall was the greatest music venue in the Lone Star State. From Bob Wills to Johnny Cash to Tina Turner to Willie Nelson, some of the biggest music names in the world walked the famed stage of Fort Worth’s Panther Hall.
This week, CATI watches another movie about the United States' first Texan president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. This time it's LBJ starring Woody Harrelson, directed by Rob Reiner.
In the summer of 1969, tens of thousands of young Americans travelled across the country to experience an outdoor music festival like no other…in Texas! This week we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Texas International Pop Festival, Texas’ Woodstock.
Texan Englishmen, Bob Dylan clones, and freakout cowboys! Today we take a look at some of the obscurities of Texas music, 60s Garage bands and psychedelia.
The First Lady of Texas was no joke. A woman who cared about the cultural and mental well-being of her beloved home state and spent her life working for it, today we’re talking about Ima Hogg.
In the year after JFK's death, Texan Lyndon Baines Johnson became President and was faced with guiding the country through massive political change while simultaneously seeking re-election.This week we talk about the 2016 HBO movie (based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play) about this fascinating period.
The Mission Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is more than just a pretty church in Texas' westernmost city. It was the oldest European settlement in the territory and remains the longest continually-operating Catholic mission in Texas. Its long history and rich contributions to the culture are great examples of the deep roots that the Spanish and Native Americans have in the Lone Star State.
He was the first governor to be born in Texas. He fought for the people of his beloved home state against the corporate giants of his time, a true rags to riches story. Without him, the history of Texas could have been filled with tales of fraud and malfeasance in the railroad industry. Today we're talking about Big Jim Hogg.
He was the only empresario of a predominantly Mexican colony in Texas, and his influence on the Lone Star State was great.
Sgt. Benevides has been in the news recently, with support to rename Fort Hood in his honor. We thought this would be a good time to pull this gem from the archives and shine some light on this Texan hero. Roy Benavidez left behind the poverty of his south Texas home town of Cuero for a career in the U.S. Army Special Forces. An incredible act of heroism would make him one of the most decorated American soldiers of the Vietnam War, earning him the Medal of Honor and ensuring his place as one of Texas greatest heroes.
Though he might not be as famous as Stephen F. Austin and he missed the Texas Revolution, without Green DeWitt establishing his colony, the first battle of the Texas Revolution would have happened somewhere else, or not at all! And we wouldn’t have a show name. This week we talk about empresario Green DeWitt.
Though he's best known for his impressive 3rd party run for president in the 1990s, he was also a successful businessman both before and after. He's a man who refused to accept the status quo and tried his best to put a dent in the universe.
From the 1860s to the 1920s, a strange phenomena took hold across the country and in Texas. Those years were the era when the surest sign of wealth and prosperity in a man was tied to his girth. This week we look at the wild world of the Fat Men?s Clubs of Texas.
75 years ago, the Allied powers invaded Northern France. It was the greatest invasion in history, and was the beginning of the end of World War II. Today we continue our series of roundtable discussions with Texas history enthusiasts and talk about how D-Day Came to Texas!
I-10 runs across this great nation from Jacksonville, Florida, to Los Angeles, California. For 876 miles, it passes through Texas. From Orange to El Paso, it's the longest stretch of interstate inside any single state. Today we present a travelogue across Texas, I-10 East to West.
A washed up stock car racer finds himself responsible for a family of six child car thieves, who become his pit crew and show him that love will indeed turn you around. This week we are looking at the 1982 Kenny Rogers classic movie, Six Pack!
He's the velvet-voiced country legend whose voice has become iconic to generations. He came to define an entire era of smooth country and adult contemporary music. This week, we're talking about the Gambler himself, the legendary Kenny Rogers.
This week we celebrate our 300th episode with a look back at the wonderful times we've had!
Today we begin our discussion of the History event mini-series Texas Rising. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? What does this mean for awareness of Texas history?
Frank Hamer and Maney Gault were the retired Texas Rangers who ended the crime spree of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. Netflix made a movie about them, and we watched it! Today Come and Take It watches The Highwaymen starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner.
With the recent release of the film The Highwaymen, we decided it was a good time to revisit one of the most infamous duos in Texas History. They were the most notorious outlaws of the Great Depression, known both for their violent crime spree as well as their scandalous public image. Their names have gone on to be forever linked to the image of young criminals in love.
He's a founder and namesake of one of the most influential gaming companies in the world. From GURPS to Car Wars to Munchkin to Illuminati. This week we have a very special conversation with the founder of Austin’s own Steve Jackson Games, Mr. Steve Jackson!
They prowled the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, looking for targets headed for Europe: oil tankers, merchant ships, and passenger ships. As odd as it sounds, we’re talking about Nazi U-boats patrolling the waters off of Galveston Island.
She spent a terrible winter practically alone in an isolated fort on the Texas coast. She was starving, sick, fought off Indian attacks, and even had a baby. Along the way, she became renowned as the Mother of Texas.
In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office ran a 'March Madness' style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. This week we have a special discussion with the man responsible for that tournament, James Harkins, the Director of Public Services of the Texas General Land Office.
In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office is running a March Madness style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. We take a look at the brackets and inform you about some of these impressive Texans of history.
In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office is running a March Madness style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. We take a look at the brackets and inform you about some of these impressive Texans of history.
In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office is running a March Madness style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. We take a look at the brackets and inform you about some of these impressive Texans of history.
Its a 1986 film about small town Texas set during the sesquicentennial directed by the lead singer of one of the seminal avant garde rock bands. This week we are talking about the movie True Stories.
He was a member of one of the most iconic rock bands in American history and a successful solo artist. The country roots he developed in his small East Texas hometown shine through in all his music. Today, we continue our discussion of Don Henley.
He was a member of one of the most iconic rock bands in American history and a successful solo artist. The country roots he developed in his small East Texas hometown shine through in all his music. Today, we're talking about Don Henley.
Sharing once again one of our favorite subjects. There have been many great women in Texas history. Some were pioneers who scraped out an existence at the edge of the prairie like Jane Long. Others were reached the top of the male-dominated political world, like Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, or Kay Bailey Hutchins. Today we’re going to take a look at the life of Bessie Coleman, a native of small town Texas who became the first African-American woman pilot in American history.
Some say his voice sounds like if chocolate fudge cake could sing. Through a career that spanned decades his remarkable voice made its mark on the music of our time. Today we're talking about The Walrus of Love, Barry White.
She was a Texas lawyer who became a powerful and pioneering force for Civil Rights and women's equality in state and national politics. This week we look at the remarkable life of Barbara Jordan.
This week we revisit a favorite episode from a few years ago. African-American frontiersman Britton Johnson became a legend on the Texas Frontier for bravery and perseverance in setting out alone into Comancheria to search for his captured wife and children. Through two years of trial and heartache, he not only succeeded in liberating his family but several other captives as well. This week we learn about the life and death of a true Texas Original, Britton Johnson!
He was a lawyer, a newspaperman, a Ranger, a soldier, a judge, and a politician, and he did it all on THREE legs. This week we look at the life of legendary Texan Robert 'Three Legged Willie' Williamson.
He’s stubborn, forthright, and has a sense of fair play. He’s been called a true gentleman and yet pushed a man into a tulip bed on national television. He has insulted an entire nation’s favorite auto race then dominated its winner’s circle. Today, we’re talking about AJ Foyt.
This week we continue our discussion of famous outlaw women who made their way through or were from the Lone Star State.
Texas is famous and infamous for its outlaws and badmen who operated outside the law. But there are many famous women outlaws who made their way through or were from the Lone Star State.
This year was quite a ride! Today we're taking a look back at some of our favorite topics of 2018.
As we prepare for Christmas, let's take a moment to say thank you with a classic Texas Christmas story. With a twist.
Do you like confusing narratives, strange pacing, abusive toxic relationships, and great country music of the late 1970s? Boy do we have a movie for you! Today we watch the 1980 classic, Urban Cowboy!
Dutch Nobleman? American businessman? Embezzler? Con Man? Colonizer? Despite a complicated and contradictory history, what's clear is that no one played a greater role in helping the Austin family establish the first Anglo colony in Texas. This week we look at the complicated life of the self-styled Baron de Bastrop!
An athlete, a dancer, and an actor, this Texan charmed his way into our hearts with his tough-guy charm and heartbreak smile. Today on Come and Take It, Pain don’t hurt... because we're paying tribute to the late, great Patrick Swayze.
This week continue our discussion of the first man to be both Speaker of the House and Vice President, Texas' own John Nance 'Cactus Jack' Garner.
He was the first Texan to serve as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and as Vice President of the United States. He was outspoken, cantakerous, and controversial, and relished his nickname 'Cactus Jack'. This week we cover part one of our discussion of John Nance Garner.
Texas is big y'all. The massive state is 268,597 square miles, sub-divided into 254 individual counties. Today we’re discussing how much of this beautiful state we’ve actually seen.
Since its earliest days, Jewish Texans have played a vital and vibrant role in the life and history of the Lone Star State. This week we celebrate the unique legacy of Jewish Texans.
It's Halloween-time in Texas again! But instead of a spooky ghost tale, we’re going back to the movies, Chuck Norris-style! Today we're watching 1982’s Chuck Norris epic… Silent Rage!
Space...the final frontier. Today we discuss the adventures of ten Texan actors who have taken our imaginations to the stars.
Texas had just won its independence from Mexico in a bloody revolution. The promise of a prosperous future for Anglo settlers was on the horizon, and everyone wanted their share. While everyone wanted peace, it was inevitable that newcomers would continue to clash with the native residents of the territory. This is the story of the last known Indian raid in Collin County.
He's a maverick performer who made a name for himself by questioning everything about his profession. He's a stand-up comedian turned movie star turned banjo star that now spends most of his time writing. We're talking about a comedy legend?and technically a Texan.
He was a dashing Texas Ranger who had a reputation for taking the toughest jobs and always getting his man, and he did so always wearing a diamond pin on his lapel. This week we look at another True Tale of the Texas Rangers, the legend of Diamond Dick: Ernest St. Leon.
He was a legendary Texas Ranger who was relentless in his pursuit of justice. The toughest, longest-serving Ranger of his time, he became known as 'The Border Boss'. This week, we have another Tale of the Texas Rangers as we talk about John R. Hughes.
Fierce bandits, Texas Rangers, an ambush on the wrong side of the border, and a beloved Captain slain. Today we look at a true tale of the Texas Rangers, the Ambush at Tres Jacales
It's been a long road, Faithful Listeners. Since the beginning, we've gone through our own personal changes and shared hundreds of stories about the great state of Texas and what it means to us. Today we're taking a look back at five years of Come and Take It, a talk show about Texas by Texans.
He was a San Antonio Air Force kid who had a professional wrestling career that spanned three decades. Along the way he earned a reputation for being both the best and most difficult performer in the business, along with the title 'Mr. Wrestlemania'. Today we're talking about the 'show stopper, the icon, the Heartbreak Kid himself', Shawn Michaels.
Salt is one of the most important minerals on earth. We need it in our bodies to survive, and it helps make food taste good. Throughout history, salt has been a source of status, conflict, and and wealth that drives commerce. Texas is fortunate enough to have major deposits of pure salt that have made it one of the largest suppliers in the United States of this precious commodity. Today we're focusing on one of the most prominent suppliers of salt in the world, Grand Saline.
This week we take a look back at one of our early episodes from the second year of the show, one of our favorites that really shows an alternate view to some of our most beloved history. No man dominated the political life of the first decades of Mexico's existence like Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. But from his earliest days as a Spanish soldier to the field of San Jacinto, Santa Anna's glory was tied to Texas as much as it was to Mexico. Today we look at the early life and rise to power of the infamous Santa Anna, the Napoleon of the West.
He was the king of the Hellfighters, a fearless battler of the most dangerous kind of fire ever known, oil well fires. This week we look at the life of the great Red Adair.
They're one of the most terrifying weather phenomena there is, able to strike with little warning practically anywhere, and they bring destruction and mayhem in their wake. This week we talk about some of the most terrible tornados in Texas history.
They're one of the most terrifying weather phenomena there is, able to strike with little warning practically anywhere, and they bring destruction and mayhem in their wake. This week we talk about some of the most terrible tornados in Texas history.
They're one of the most terrifying weather phenomena there is, able to strike with little warning practically anywhere, and they bring destruction and mayhem in their wake. This week we talk about some of the most terrible tornados in Texas history.
This week we take a look back at one of our early episodes from the first year of the show. The wild and woolly history of professional wrestling in Texas, from Wild Bull Curry and the Funks to the Von Erichs and Stone Cold Steve Austin. We examine the facinating legacy of the wrestlers and promotions of the Lone Star State.
It was the coldest of cases, but 56 years after the brutal murder of a popular South Texas teacher and former beauty queen, justice was finally served. Today, it's a cold case edition of Come and Take It, the murder of Irene Garza.
This week we take a look back at one of our early episodes from the first year of the show. Present at the first and last battles of Texas, Creed Taylor was a soldier, ranger, father, and possibly even an outlaw. Join us this week as we discuss one of the most interesting lives in Texas history.
It's the 'Grand Canyon of Texas', 120 miles cut through the Caprock Escarpment in the Texas Panhandle. It's rich with geological curiosities, teeming with wildlife, and steeped in thousands of years of history. This week we talk about the Palo Duro Canyon!
This week we take a look back at one of our early episodes from the first year of the show. This week marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, TX. For an entire generation, where you were on November 22, 1963 is one of the defining points of their lives. Its continuing legacy is felt both psychologically and physically through the very geography of the city.
He was was a Texas boy who became a Navy test pilot and found everlasting fame as the fourth astronaut to walk on the moon.
Walker. Texas. Ranger. In 1993, a television event like no other premiered across America. Chuck Norris' family-friendly Texas Ranger show kick-punched it's way into our collective hearts. Today we watch Season 1 Episode 1 of Walker Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger.
He was famed as a punishment taking brawler and as a tough guy character actor. This week we look at the legend of Randall 'Tex' Cobb.
This week we present another installment in our series with Professor James Early of San Jacinto College, in which we're taking a closer look at some of the many stories of Texas in the Civil War. Today we're talking Texas Overland Expedition, an effort by Union forces to invade Texas and restore the Lone Star State to the Union.
Proponents of technology, engineering, sciences, medicine, education, and the arts, for eight decades the McDermott family made a profound mark on the city of Dallas and the state of Texas. This week we honor the life and legacy of Eugene and Margaret McDermott.
This week we take a few moments to discuss listener feedback, follow up on some stories, and look at some interesting Texas history tidbits that don't quite fill up a whole show. It’s time for another edition of Odds and Ends.
He was a 7-foot-7 in giant who fought in the Civil War and spent the last decades of his life in northeast Texas. This week we look at the original Texas Giant, Henry Clay Thruston.
One of the most recognizable and influential comedians of all time, her Tarzan yell, and ear-pulling secret message to her beloved grandmother have become a part of America's psyche. Today we're talking about San Antonio native Carol Burnett.
Since 1941, this giant manufacturing plant in Fort Worth has produced some of the most powerful aircraft in the United States Air Force, directly from the assembly line to the flight line of the air base next door. This week we talk about the history of Carswell Field and Air Force Plant Number 4.
A Southern lawyer from South Carolina who became a hero of the Alamo. A small north Texas town with roots going back to the mid-1800s that became the birthplace of some of the most famous (and infamous) Texans. A prime example of Depression-era WPA and Civilian Conservation Corps construction. These all have one thing in common: the name Bonham.
The old testament has a verse, 'And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land.' Today we're talking about the almost biblical SEVEN years of drought that consumed Texas from 1950 to 1957.
1983 is one of the high-water marks in American cinema history. But in mid-April 1983 history was changed forever when Chuck Norris kick-punched his way into our young hearts. Crossbows, shoguns, spinning heel kicks, and warm Pearl beer. This week—with special returning guest Stephen Guerra from the Beyond the Big Screen podcast—we examine one of the great works of Texas cinema.
He was a Texan soldier who became a trailblazer in the development of the Alaska territory. Later he led American troops in their intervention into the Russian Civil War.
From taciturn champ to loveable pitchman, this native Texan’s career included a break so long, it was longer than most people’s careers. This week we bring you part two of the life of Texas boxing legend George Foreman.
From taciturn champ to loveable pitchman, this native Texan’s career included a break so long, it was longer than most people’s careers. Today we’re talking about a Texas boxing legend.
Like most people, when it's cold and windy outside, all we can think about are sun, snakes, skis, and porpoises. Not to mention llamas and fishes. That's right, we're talking about Sea-Arama, that wonderful, long-lost jewel of Galveston Island.
In 1843, a group of Texans set out in an ill-fated expedition to raid the famed trading caravans of the Santa Fe Trail, and sparked an international incident thanks to an unexpected encounter with the United States Cavalry. This week we talk about Jacob Snively and the Battalion of Invincibles.
Just south of I-20 in East Texas, the small town of Canton hosts the largest and oldest flea market in history. Today we're talking about the history of Canton's First Monday Trade Days!
He was a Texas political insider who went from a power broker in the Governor's Mansion to serving as special political advisor to President Woodrow Wilson. Along the way he played a critical part in America's role in the First World War and in the creation of the League of Nations. This week we continue our discussion of the Texas Kingmaker, Col. Edward House.
He was a Texas political insider who went from a power broker in the Governor's Mansion to serving as special political advisor to President Woodrow Wilson. Along the way he played a critical part in America's role in the First World War and in the creation of the League of Nations. This week we talk about the Texas Kingmaker, Col. Edward House.
In 1862, the Confederate military launched an ambitious campaign from Texas to lay claim to the lands and riches of New Mexico and Arizona, culminating in disastrous defeat. This week we continue our series digging deeper into the details of Texas in the Civil War.
From the 1860s to the 1920s, a strange phenomena took hold across the country and in Texas. Those years were the era when the surest sign of wealth and prosperity in a man was tied to his girth. This week we look at the wild world of the Fat Men’s Clubs of Texas.
It's an 80's teen movie set in Corpus Christi. According to IMDB, A Texas teenager cuts her hair short and becomes an outlaw martyr with her brother and friends. Today Come and Take It watches The Legend of Billie Jean.
From her humble beginnings in Lake Jackson, Texas, Selena Quintanilla had risen to the top of the Tejano music scene. At 23 years old, she had several gold records, a budding acting career, and a clothing line sold in her own boutiques. There seemed to be no stopping Selena as she stood on the verge of becoming a household name.
Christmas is a holiday celebrated my many and recognized by most living here in the Lone Star state. Today, we’re discussing some of the the most Texan ways to celebrate the holiday!
A South Texan girl who couldn’t even speak Spanish rose to unprecedented prominence in the male-dominated world of Tejano music. Her record-breaking rise to fame was compared to musical superstars like Madonna and Elvis, she too was famous enough to be known by a single name: Selena.
This week we begin a multi-part series examining in more depth some of the many stories of Texas in the Civil War. First up: the chain of events that led to Texas seceding from the Union.
He was an actor in one of the most notable scenes of cinema of all time, and he's a Texan to boot! Today we say, Play it again, Sam as we celebrate the life and art of Arthur 'Dooley' Wilson.
If you’re going to play one of the most important tennis matches in history, I guess you better do it in Texas! Today we are discussing the world famous tennis match known as the battle of the sexes.
There were no turkeys, pumpkin pies, or Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving celebrated in Texas. In fact, it occurred over 20 years before any Englishman set foot on Plymouth Rock. This week we look at the remarkable story of America’s REAL first Thanksgiving!
In the early 1830s, a Quaker abolitionist attempted to establish in the Mexican territory of Texas a most remarkable experiment: a colony for freed slaves. This week we talk about Benjamin Lundy and his Texas Freedmen Colony.
He was a small-town boy from Texas whose pulp fiction stories became the very basis of the 'sword and sorcery' fantasy genre.
Joining us today are two more Michaels, Michael Bennett and Michael Coronado from the TX Files Podcast, and we’re going to have a conversation today about more weird and wild stories and legends from Texas.
While James Garner and Mel Gibson may have made the last name famous, the real man’s story was as exciting as anything that’s played out on the big or little screen. Today, we’re not talking about the fictional character Bret Maverick, but real life Texas Hero Samuel Maverick.
While James Garner and Mel Gibson may have made the last name famous, the real man’s story was as exciting as anything that’s played out on the big or little screen. Today, we’re not talking about the fictional character Bret Maverick, but real life Texas Hero Samuel Maverick.
In 1832, policy changes within the Mexican government towards the Anglo colonists in Texas led to one of the earliest sparks of the Texas Revolution.
In 1832, policy changes within the Mexican government towards the Anglo colonists in Texas led to one of the earliest sparks of the Texas Revolution.
Hark! What lies there, ‘cross yonder hill, nestled ‘midst the piney woods of south-central Texas? ‘Tis the Lone Star State’s very own Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest such attraction in the United States. Raise thine flagon and bend thine ear as we talk of its long and storied history. Huzzah!
In the Summer of 1860, drought, political strife, and paranoia led to a wave of violence and political uprising that stoked the fires of secession in Texas.
He was a bold and daring submarine commander who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second World War. This week we talk about another great Texas military hero.
To a Texan from the Gulf coast, Hurricanes represent a very real and dangerous threat that stretches back to the origins of Texas history. Today we're recording this on the evening of August 30th, 2017 and we’d like to take some time to talk about the latest hurricane to come to Texas.
In 1963, just a month after the tragic death of President Kennedy, the first major diplomatic summit of the Johnson presidency was held in the heart of Texas, at LBJ Ranch. This week we talk about the amazing story of the Sparerib Summit!
A legend in football. A legend in Texas. The man who turned the Dallas Cowboys into America’s Team.
He was an accomplished academic and believed to be the first African-American in Texas to receive a Ph.D. His son was a famous debater who became a founding pioneer of non-violent civil rights protest. Today we are talking about the James Farmers; Senior and Junior.
The 1970s closed out with a great season for the Houston Astros in 1979. They finished only one-and-a-half games behind the pennant-winning Reds, and ended the decade on the brink of greatness. Would the Astros finally get over that hump and become the dominant team they’d come close to becoming since the 1960s? Let’s find out.
He was a visionary rock n roller from West Texas, the self-style King of El Paso Rock, who rocketed to the top of the charts in 1966. But his tragic and mysterious death prevented him from living up to his full potential. This week we look at the mysterious death of Texas rock legend Bobby Fuller.
When our minds turn to summer in Texas, we think of hot days, cold drinks, and a refreshing place to dunk your head and enjoy the wonderful waterways and swimming holes of the Lone Star State. One of our favorite places is the beautiful—and hard-working— Lake Travis.
He was a west Texas school teacher who moved to Hollywood and became the beloved co-star of one of the longest running TV Westerns of all time. This week we talk about Bonanza’s Hoss Cartwright, Dan Blocker.
She was the Amelia Earhart of Texas and a pioneer in aviation history! Today we discuss the life and times of Aviatrix Katherine Stinson.
This week is our 200th episode, and to celebrate we’re going to talk around the campfire about some odds and ends and things we love about Texas, and some of our favorite things about this show. Sit back and enjoy a Come and Take It Bicentennial!
She was the known as La Alondra de la Frontera and La Gloria de Texas, the first superstar who paved the way for generations of Tejano musicians and fans. This week we look at the remarkable life and music of Lydia Mendoza.
El Camino Royale, the King’s Road, the Old Spanish Trail, or the Old San Antonio Road. While it has many names, this classic road has a glorious history into the past of Texas. Today we’re talking about the OSR.
Jim Jones. Curly Bill. Cy Tolliver. Iconic roles for an iconic actor. Today we’re looking back on the life and career of beloved native Texan actor Powers Boothe.
Pioneering journalist Peggy Hull came to Texas in 1916 to break the glass ceiling and become America?s first female war correspondent.
Some runaway mules, a distracted crowd, and an irritated vaudeville musical act. How did America’s most famous family of comedians get their start in the oldest town in Texas? This well we talk about Nacogdoches and the birth of the Marx Brothers!
We’ve discussed in the past the hit-or-miss nature of accurately representing Texas in film and television. Every once in awhile, a film comes along that’s so dead on—so perfectly Texan—that we can’t help but get excited about it. Against a backdrop of struggling farms and oil boomtowns in West Texas, Hell or High Water weaves a familiar tale of the little guy striking back against the system that has done him and his family wrong. Layered over that simple plot is a wonderful cast of Texan characters which ring very, very true.
Frontier justice, a wizard with a whip, a scandalous apparition, and a bull tied to murder. This week we take another journey into history with more Tales of Texas Past
Davy Crockett, William Barrett Travis, Jim Bowie… These are the best-known heroes of the Alamo, and their sacrifice along with their compatriots at that old mission would set the stage for the final, decisive Texan victory at San Jacinto. Without the vision and actions of one man, the Alamo might never have been in Texas hands at all.
He was the founder and leader of the Flying Tigers, a band of mercenary pilots who defended China against the Japanese onslaught during World War II and inspired the imagination of the American public. This week we talk about the life of Texan aviation legend Claire Chennault.
They started out as a nondescript glam band, then became one of the top heavy metal bands of all time. Drug abuse eventually led to the end of the band, and even greater tragedy struck the members afterwards. Today, we’re talking about the original Cowboys From Hell.
In 1924, George Saunders, the president of the Cattle Drivers Association, published a two-volume book compiling first hand stories from experienced trail drivers and their life on the plains. This is our third installment reading selections from this fascinating historical document.
If road trips in Texas in the spring are known for anything, it’s the vast swaths of glorious color that line the shoulders and medians, from bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes to sunflowers and foxglove. This week we look at the fascinating stories behind Texas Wildflowers.
In 1966, the University of Texas in Austin was the site of America's first mass school shooting. Today we're talking about the 2016 documentary Tower, in which filmmaker Keith Maitland uses a unique blend of animation, historical footage, and interviews with victims, witnesses, and participants to tell the engrossing story of what happened on that fateful day from the perspective of the people that were there.
Houston has a long history of producing amazing soul, blues, jazz, and funk music. Previously we looked at the history of the legendary Peacock Records, but this week we look at a few more Houston soul and funk legends, Archie Bell, Billy Preston, and the Kashmere Stage Band.
On November 25th, 1963, in a humble grave dug for William Bobo in Ft. Worth, Texas, one of the nation’s most notorious assassins was laid to rest. Today, we’re discussing the lonely grave of Lee Harvey Oswald.
It takes a big man to fill the shoes of a Texas hero, even if it’s only make believe. And it takes a big love of art, film, and people to live the life of Texas’ own astronaut big brother space marine.
The grand movie houses of Texas come in many shapes and sizes. Some started as vaudeville palaces like the Hoblitzelle Majestics, but some have always been movie houses from their very first day. Regardless of their origin, all the theatres we’re looking at today have made their mark on Texas history (and our hearts).
Edward Blackshear and Hightower Kealing were two of Texas’ first African American collegiate administrators. They played key roles in the founding of the first of Texas’ Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They pioneered the way for educators across the state and left a lasting impression on Texas.
In the 1960s, Houston was home of the largest and most successful African-American-owned record label in the country. It established Houston as one of the great homes for American soul music.
There have been many great women in Texas history. Some were pioneers who scraped out an existence at the edge of the prairie like Jane Long. Others were reached the top of the male-dominated political world, like Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, or Kay Bailey Hutchins. Today we’re going to take a look at the life of Bessie Coleman, a native of small town Texas who became the first African-American woman pilot in American history. (This was originally recorded for a history podcast collage.)
He was an Eastern doctor who sought to restore his fortune in Texas, rising to become a respected statesman, and the last President of the Republic of Texas.
The early twentieth century was the era of vaudeville. Unique live acts took their performances all over the world performing in all varieties of theatres, but the best were grand palaces filled with lavish decoration and tributes to classical architectural styles. Many of these theaters survived vaudeville and found new life and elegant movie palaces. Texas, of course, had its share, including the Majestics, a string of venues operated by Karl Hoblitzelle and his Interstate Amusement Company.
In our last Texas Rock? episode, we talked about several artists and musicians who had huge hits or were seminal, groundbreaking performers, but who don’t really stand out as being associated with Texas. This week we’re going back to that well to look at some more artists we missed in our previous discussion. Remember that these performers are from Texas, but you don’t really think of them being from, or even maybe don’t even know that they are from, the Lone Star State.
This week we look at the unlikely return to power of Texas first political dynasty and the remarkable story of how Texas got its first woman governor.
They were Texas’ first political dynasty. The country lawyer who became governor before being impeached and banned for life from politics, and his wife who he pushed into politics and became the first woman elected governor of any State.
We’ve talked in previous episodes about the now lost port of Indianola, once the second busiest port in all of Texas. It was near this port, on Matagorda Bay where the first lighthouse in Texas was built. Today we discuss this magnificent cast-iron historical icon of the Texas Gulf Coast.
In 1924, George Saunders, the president of the Cattle Drivers Association, published a two-volume book compiling first hand stories from experienced trail drivers and their life on the plains. For those familiar with the podcast, the names and places referenced may sound quite familiar. So in a different kind of episode, we’re presenting more tales of Texas Trail Drivers in their own words.
He was a fiery and passionate supporter of the rights of the states and the institution of slavery. He was also violent, bigoted, a drunkard, and a US Senator from Texas on the eve of the Civil War. This week we look at the life of a Texas fire-eater.
In 1924, George Saunders, the president of the Cattle Drivers Association, published a two-volume book compiling first hand stories from experienced trail drivers and their life on the plains. For those familiar with the podcast, the names and places referenced may sound quite familiar. So in a different kind of episode, we’re presenting three tales of Texas Trail Drivers in their own words.
They were the 'Tallest Fraternity in Texas'. For three years in the 1980s, the University of Houston popularized collegiate basketball in the Lone Star State, and revolutionized the sport nationwide. Today we look back at Phi Slama Jama.
Though he's best known for his impressive 3rd party run for president in the 1990s, he was also a successful businessman both before and after. He's a man who refused to accept the status quo and tried his best to put a dent in the universe.
We’ve talked about Texas’ industrial, ecological, and man-made disasters before, but today we’re discussing the worst epidemic outbreak in the history of the Lone Star State, the Yellow Fever Outbreak of 1867.
For fifteen years, a former bowling hall was the greatest music venue in the Lone Star State. From Bob Wills to Johnny Cash to Tina Turner to Willie Nelson, some of the biggest music names in the world walked the famed stage of Fort Worth’s Panther Hall.
Today we examine Red Headed Stranger, Willie Nelson’s critically regarded concept album following the tale of a fugitive on the run, which shot him into superstardom.
This Halloween we step back into the realm of mystery, as we explore the strange and spooky world of Texas Ghost Towns.
What you are about to hear is a true horror story of Texas History. No names have been changed to protect the innocent, because this is a history podcast. If you have a history of heart trouble, you’ll still probably be fine because this is a podcast. And of course, Happy Halloween! So, let’s talk about the 1976 Slasher feature, The Town That Dreaded Sundown, which highlights the true story of the Moonlight Murders of Texarkana!
During the dark days after Pearl Harbor, as the Japanese advanced unchecked through the Pacific, the cruiser USS Houston fought bravely against that unstoppable tide. Though her fate was sealed, she fought to the very end, sinking with her guns still firing, and the sacrifice of her crew inspired the nation. This week we talk about the USS Houston, the Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast.
While its economic roots lie in the petrochemical industry, Texas City is home to one of the precious jewels of the Texas Gulf Coast. It serves as the hub of tourism in the city, drawing boaters, fishermen, and beachgoers to its man-made shores.
On a beautiful spring day in East Texas, tragedy came to the oil town of New London. This week we talk about the worst school disaster in American history.
Texas Musician Sonny Ozuna was a son of San Antonio and an important piece of the emerging Tejano movement. However in the 1950s and 1960s he was at the top of the charts with his national hit 'Talk To Me'. This week we talk about another Tejano legend, Sonny Ozuna and the Sunliners.
Stephen F. Austin battled adversity and hardship to make his father’s dream of an Anglo-American colony in Texas a reality. The Old 300 who made up this colony would be the seeds from which eventual revolution, nationhood and statehood would grow. Unlike many of the heroes of Texas, though, Austin was a proponent of peace and loyal to the Mexican nation, until he was given no choice but to support revolution.
Known as the Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin was the first to officially bring Anglo colonists to Texas. He was fulfilling the dream of his father, Moses, who hadn't been able to complete the work himself. Together these men braved hardship and adversity to set the stage for the great drama of Texas’ birth.
He was a Texas Ranger, a Confederate general, governor, and the president of Texas A and M. This week we look at the amazing life of Lawrence Sullivan 'Sul' Ross.
By the 1880s, native Americans in the Frio Canyon in the Texas hill country had been almost completely wiped out. The once prosperous Comanche, Kiowa, Tonkawa, and Lipan Apache that had called the area home for thousands of years had been forced onto reservations far from their ancestral lands or massacred, driven off the land desired by Anglo settlers. Most of the area residents were convinced that the Indian Wars were over, and the frontier was safe to inhabit without fear of attack. But one last incident would come to be recognized as the final Indian raid in Frio Canyon.
Today we celebrate another Texan Medal of Honor recipiant whose story of valor sounds like something out of a comic book. (Take that, Mr. Hitler!) But the reality is much more interesting.
There's no denying that Texas is a vast place. From the Piney Woods of East Texas to the deserts of El Paso, from the beaches of the Gulf Coast to the plains of the Panhandle, Texas is a state that is bigger than England and France, combined. But few realize it's so big you can go all over the world and never leave the Lone Star State. Within its pleasantly-shaped border you can find world capitals, ancient cities and even entire nations.
Fifty years ago, an ex-Marine and former student of the University of Texas climbed into the university’s clock tower with an arsenal of weapons and opened fire onto students walking through the campus. It was the first modern mass shooting, and was one of the defining tragedies in the history of Austin and Texas.
They were the heroes of Texas wrasslin’, the legends of Dallas’ world famous Sportatorium, and the idols of millions. For a few years their star shined brighter than any in the Lone Star State before heartbreaking tragedy destroyed their empire. This week we look at part two of the triumph and tragedy of Texas’ greatest wrestling dynasty.
They were the heroes of Texas wrasslin’, the legends of Dallas’ world famous Sportatorium, and the idols of millions. For a few years their star shined brighter than any in the Lone Star State before heartbreaking tragedy destroyed their empire. This week we look at the triumph and tragedy of Texas’ greatest wrestling dynasty.
In 1986, Texas celebrated its 150th anniversary of independence from Mexico. Originally conceived as a deeply-funded, centrally-planned series of well-organized events, economic conditions turned it into a hodge-podge of nearly ten thousand events, large and small, scattered throughout the state. It was a year-long “Texas-sized birthday party” known as the Texas Sesquicentennial
During a more than fifty-year performing and recording history, this Texan has become one of the top Tejano artists with a unique style, imbuing his sound with norteño, country, blues, and rock-and-roll. Established in 1959 by José María de León Hernández, today we are talking about Little Joe y La Familia.
He was known as 'The Big O', a shy boy from the west Texas oilfields who became one of most successful and admired pop stars of the 1950s and 60s. His distinctive look and haunting voice made him an icon and led to an unlikely career revival in 1988 cut short by his untimely death.
The Houston Astros are not an old franchise. They don’t have the 100-plus year history of the Boston Red Sox or the Chicago Cubs, and they don’t get the worldwide recognition of the New York Yankees. But to Houston and the surrounding area, the Astros are more than just a baseball team. They’re part of the fabric of this oil town that became an international hub of commerce, culture, and Texan pride.
We’ve had a Pig War and a Chicken War, and today we bring you yet another ridiculous “war” that helped define the history of Texas, and it's all about a bunch of paper.
Pioneer, Texas Ranger, Lawyer, Soldier, Chief Justice of Lavaca County, and Indian Fighter . Today we’re talking about John Himes Livergood, early Texan and survivor of the Mier expedition.
From the earliest days of popular music to the top of today’s charts, the Lone Star State has a justifiably rich tradition in music. There are songs about Texas, and artists that are quintessentially Texan, but there are also many great and popular artists that people don’t immediately associate with the state and its heritage.
In the early 1700s, a European conflict between Spain and France reached the contested borders of their North American empires in a most unusual and ridiculous way. This week we look at the role of Spanish Texas in The Chicken War.
There have been hundreds of books about Texas and its history, and we haven’t come close to reading all of them. But we have read some, and today we’re going to have a round table discussion about our favorite Texas history books.
Guitar master, bearded wizard, and bonafide car nut. Today we’re talking about the legendary Texan guitarist and front man for ZZ Top.
A snooty French diplomat, a surly Texas innkeeper, and pack of rampaging pigs. A dangerous combination that nearly cost Texas its independence.
They were the most notorious outlaws of the Great Depression, known both for their violent crime spree as well as their scandalous public image. Their names have gone on to be forever linked to the image of young criminals in love.
From 1942 to 1944, Texas was home to one of the most remarkable programs in the history of the Second World War. Hundreds of young women from all walks of life were trained in airfields in Houston and West Texas to become the first women to fly military aircraft in American history, as the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs).
She was called the greatest woman athlete, excelling at every sport she tried from track to golf. From the 1930s until the 1950s, she set records, broke barriers, and became one of the famous women in America.
He was a business executive and radio star who managed to parlay his fame into the Texas Governor’s Mansion and the U.S. Senate. He also became the only person who defeated LBJ in an election. This week we look at the life and career of W. Lee Pappy O’Daniel.
Once a sports sensation who put competitive cycling on the map of American culture, Lance Armstrong would eventually be known as the man who perpetrated one of the biggest doping scandals in athletic history. For better or worse, it was a sad end to the story of Texas' greatest cyclist.
In 1968, the city of San Antonio enacted a remarkable program to transform their historic city into a modern tourist destination by hosting a fabulous World’s Fair. Today we talk about the history of HemisFair '68.
This March marks the 223 anniversary of the birth of the greatest figure in Texas history, Sam Houston. Last year we did an extensive three part series on his life, but this year we’ll take a look at the remarkable lives of his eight children.
He was a career naval officer who had risen through the ranks of the US Navy to become the architect of victory against the Japanese in the Pacific. He was a pioneer in submarine operations and eventually commanded the largest naval force in history. But before all that, he was a small town boy from the Texas Hill Country whose grandfather instilled him with a love for the sea.
We've spent a lot of time on this show talking about the landscape of Texas: literal, cultural, and historical. But one thing we haven't explored very much is what's under the landscape: caves. The Central Texas limestone that has supplied building materials for so many Texan landmarks is also home to several high-quality and fascinating caverns that you can go visit today.
The story of Texas Independence is almost always told from the perspective of the victorious Texans. Comparatively few academic studies have looked at the experience of the other side of the conflict. However, in some ways, the experience of the Mexican armies in Texas is as revealing to the story of Texas’ independence as that of Sam Houston’s army. Today we take a look at the story of El Mar De Lodo, the Sea of Mud.
In the history of the Indian wars in Texas, two remarkable battles were fought in the dusty Panhandle trading post of Adobe Walls. Last week we talked about the first battle, the last great moment of glory a legendary frontier figure. The second was the first battle in a war that finally saw the end of the Comanche presence in Texas.
In the history of the Indian wars in Texas, two remarkable battles were fought in the dusty Panhandle trading post of Adobe Walls. The first was the last great moment of glory for legendary frontier figure. The second was the first battle in a war that finally saw the end of the Comanche presence in Texas. This week we have part one of the Two Battles of Adobe Walls.
San Jacinto is revered by all Texans as one of the most historically and emotionally significant sites in the Lone Star State. Today we bring you a true tale of the battlefield, its artifacts, and how you can stop these priceless heirlooms from being destroyed.
When it comes to his art, this Texas-born musician does not particularly like to monkey around. Heir to a fortune in office supply money, Mike Nesmith became trapped by fame borne of an audition he attended on a lark. Forced to choose between outward success and his own artistic principles, he chose to listen to the band within his heart.
Sometimes we run across a story that we can’t quite stretch into a full episode on its own. This week we're bringing you more odds and ends.
Sometimes we run across a story that we can’t quite stretch into a full episode on its own. Today we thought we’d bring you some interesting stories we wanted to bring to you as kind of a potpourri of odds and ends
Most people think of plains and desert when they think about Texas, but in fact, Texas has vast forests and a wide variety of trees, many of them with some truly amazing stories. They have been witness to the fascinating history of this great state.
A small town in Texas. A friendly mortician. A rich widow. Murder. Do all these things add up to a comedy starring Jack Black? Only in the mind of Texas indy filmmaker Richard Linklater. This week we look at a Texas story so strange it has to be true.
They billed themselves as the greatest husband and wife shooting team in the world, and their feats of marksmanship were so great that Annie Oakley herself declared them the best she’d ever seen. This week we look at the story of Ad and Plinky, the Famous Topperweins.
The enduring image of Texas is that of the cowboy riding along the range, of the wealthy cattleman in his ranch, of the majestic longhorn. The cattle industry has been linked to Texas throughout its history, from the earliest Spanish settlers to the modern day cowboys. This week we look at Ranching in Texas.
There are many symbols of Texas. The Lone Star. The Alamo. The oil derrick. All are evocative of this great state. But just as iconic is the hardy breed of cattle that's forever linked with the cowboy culture of Texas in the 1800s. This week we take a look at another legend of Texas, the Texas Longhorn.
Famous for having once killed a man just because he snored, the man's self-promoted legend was no doubt larger than the man himself. There is no denying that he was a remorseless and deadly killer with the blood of dozens of men on his hands. He was in many ways a personification of Texas’ tumultuous and tragic years after the Civil War. This week we look at the short and deadly life of John Wesley Hardin.
Considered to be the most valuable sports franchise in the world, they have fans in every major US city and all over the world. In the 1970s, it was a dynasty of unparalleled success under a legendary head coach. In the 1990s, a new dynasty was formed under an unconventional owner. Their fans have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Today we’re talking about the remarkable history of America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys.
They say that in Texas, football is religion, and for an entire generation, the greatest Texas gridiron hero was without question Doak Walker. He had a nearly perfect career, winning just about every award possible from high school to the NFL. It was playing for Southern Methodist University that he made his greatest mark, turning the Cotton Bowl into 'the house that Doak built'.
He was tall, fast, and incredibly strong. He was the pride of North Texas and the bane of Oilers and Cowboys fans. He was a football legend.
They prowled the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, looking for targets headed for Europe: oil tankers, merchant ships, and passenger ships. As odd as it sounds, we’re talking about Nazi U-boats patrolling the waters off of Galveston Island.
It’s time to put the kiddies to bed and prepare yourself for more spooky tales of Texas.
She was the wife of a former governor, publisher of the Houston Post, a noted philanthropist, and proudly served her country in World War 2. She was also the second woman to ever hold a cabinet position in the United States. She lived a fascinating life of service and responsibility to the people of the Lone Star State.
It may not be the first, but it’s certainly the biggest and most-attended state fair in the United States. Every year nearly 3 million people flock to Fair Park just east of downtown Dallas to celebrate all things great about the Lone Star State such as pickup trucks, racing pigs, college football, and fried food.
From its earliest days as a tiny fleet during the Texas Revolution through its rag tag days in service of the new Republic, the Texas Navy had a controversial and fascinating history. It suffered through lack of funds, obsolete technology, and questionable behavior by its commanders, but was also responsible for some of the most unlikely victories in the annals of naval history.
From its earliest days as a tiny fleet during the Texas Revolution through its rag tag days in service of the new Republic, the Texas Navy had a controversial and fascinating history. It suffered through lack of funds, obsolete technology, and questionable behavior by its commanders, but was also responsible for some of the most unlikely victories in the annals of naval history.
Dwight D. Eisenhower is one of the most iconic figures in American history. A career military man, he became the face of American leadership during World War II, which eventually led him to the White House. There he defined an entire era. But few people remember that this great man had a humble birth in a small north Texas town.
The legal and illegal influx of people into Texas in the early 1800s brought scofflaws, land swindlers, and other assorted ne’er-do-wells into the borderlands contested by the United States and Mexico. It was inevitable that disputes over land would arise, but perhaps no one expected them to become the bloody conflict known as the Regulator-Moderator War.
One of the most defining characteristics of Texas is that it has long been a place where people from all over the world come to seeking a new life in a new place. They have come as individuals and as groups, and the impact they have had on the history and culture of Texas is as strong as the impact that Texas has had on them. This week we talk about the history of the Czechs in the Lone Star State.
Known as a sharp-witted straight shooter with down-home charm, Ann Richards was an acknowledged trailblazer. The first woman to truly be elected to the highest office in the State, she would go on to create changes in the education system, entertainment industry, and the state of equality in Texas that are still felt today.
Mirabeau Lamar is one of the great enigmas of Texas history. He is mostly known as the implacable opponent of Sam Houston. He was the third President of Texas, and his policies and actions were a disaster for the young republic. But he's also remembered for his forward-thinking vision of an educated Texas. Who was the real Mirabeau Lamar?
There's no single personality that dominates Texas history like Sam Houston. His contributions cannot be underestimated. Powerful and popular figures gain enemies, and Houston had many. We’re taking a look at just a few of the men that stood in opposition to the George Washington of Texas.
Many memorable characters emerged from the Texas Revolution, but few can claim to be as hard-working as Erastus 'Deaf' Smith, the legendary scout and spy who worked tirelessly from the Siege of Bexar to well after the Battle of San Jacinto in service to the Republic of Texas.
The son of a Comanche war chief and a captured white girl, Quanah Parker grew to possibly be the last great leader of his father’s people. Though he fought the encroachment of his lands for years, struggling to retain independence for his people, he proved himself remarkably adaptable once there was no other choice for his tribe.
A freed slave who became the first black American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Henry Flipper fought Apaches in West Texas and later settled in El Paso. He was an engineer, interpreter, translator, historian, inventor, newspaper editor, and high ranking government official at a time when African-Americans still faced extreme discrimination.
The gift of the people of Cincinnati to the Texas revolutionaries, two identical cannon became famed Twin Sisters and played a critical role in the Battle of San Jacinto. How they got here and the mystery of their ultimate fate have become a Texas legend.
The Mission Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is more than just a pretty church in Texas' westernmost city. It was the oldest European settlement in the territory and remains the longest continually-operating Catholic mission in Texas. Its long history and rich contributions to the culture are great examples of the deep roots that the Spanish and Native Americans have in the Lone Star State.
While folklore has lifted The Yellow Rose of Texas to an exalted position, who is the real person behind the story and the classic song?
While he only spent a few weeks of his life in Texas, he's remembered as one of the state's iconic legends, one of the bravest of the brave to die defending the Alamo. This week we conclude our series on the life of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.
We continue our discussion of the History presentation of Texas Rising. This week we talk about the fifth installment: The Rise of the Republic.
We continue our discussion of the History presentation of Texas Rising. This week we talk about the third installment, entitled Vengeance is Mine.
We continue our discussion of the History presentation of Texas Rising. This week we talk about the third installment, entitled Blood for Blood.
We continue our discussion of the History presentation of Texas Rising. This week we talk about the second installment, entitled Fate and Fury.
Today we begin our discussion of the History event mini-series Texas Rising. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? What does this mean for awareness of Texas history?
In the 1820s, Davy Crockett transitioned from frontier scout to politician, and became one of the most famous men in America.
Davy Crockett is known as an iconic Texan, but he was only in the territory for seven weeks at the end of his life. We start our three-part discussion of this Texas legend by looking at his early life in the wilderness of Tennessee.
Every one of the United States—including Texas—has its share of strange tourist attractions. Join us on a virtual road trip across the Lone Star State as we examine some of its more peculiar sights and experiences.
After doing as much as anyone else to achieve victory for Texans during its revolution, Sam Houston shepherded the young Republic through its turbulent decade of independence, and continued to serve his beloved Texas into the disruption of secession and the Civil War.
In many ways the father of Texas, Sam Houston’s role in the Texas Revolution started even before the first shot was fired. Houston was the most important figure in the Revolution, shouldering the burden of leading the Texas Army and eventually leading it to ultimate victory. He played a critical role in shaping and guiding the fledgling nation and leading it into the Union. Part Two covers the zenith of Sam Houston's life and legend.
Commander of the Republic of Texas Army, first President of the Republic of Texas, Senator and governor of the State of Texas, Sam Houston is arguably the most influential man in Texas history. But he was a giant figure long before setting foot in Texas. Though it is overshadowed by his life in Texas, his early life in Tennessee would undoubtedly have made him a well known historical figure. The path he took to fame and to Texas would lead him from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, but the destiny of The Raven would be realized in the Lone Star State.
An illicit love affair, murderous bushwhacking, and a trial that ends in a riot all sound like stuff that belongs in a Hollywood western. But they’re also part of the Boyce-Sneed Feud, the last of the famous blood feuds of Old Texas. It was truly the end of an era.
One of the great captains of the Texas Rangers, Samuel Walker rode with John Coffee Hays, Bigfoot Wallace, and Creed Taylor. He fought Indians, bandits, and Mexicans. He distinguished himself as a fierce fighter who charged fearlessly into battle ahead of the men he led. Waker's greatest achievement, perhaps, was the creation of the Walker Colt, the most powerful revolver of its time.
The abiding image of Texas is that of the frontier cowboy with a six shooter in his holster and a Bowie knife tucked into his belt. Throughout its history, the Lone Star State has been associated with firearms, and this week we take a look at the history of gun rights in Texas.
From its beginning as a small ranch on the edge of the prairie to its rise as a resort town made famous by the curative waters of its artisan wells, Mineral Wells has had a remarkable history, and the Crazy Water Hotel is right at the center of it. This week we look at the amazing story of the Crazy Water of Mineral Wells!
Roy Benavidez left behind the poverty of his south Texas home town of Cuero for a career in the U.S. Army Special Forces. An incredible act of heroism would make him one of the most decorated American soldiers of the Vietnam War, earning him the Medal of Honor and ensuring his place as one of Texas greatest heroes.
Audie Murphy went to from the cotton fields of Texas to the battlefields of Europe to the lights of Hollywood in his all-too-brief life. One of the most decorated soldiers in American history, perhaps his greatest legacy was his work to shed light on post traumatic stress disorder. This week we look at one of the truly great Texas heroes, Audie Murphy.
Quentin Tarantino called it one of the best films of the 90’s. For many fans, Dazed and Confused represents Texan director Richard Linklater’s mainstream cinema debut and a launching pad for fellow Texan and Academy Award Winner Matthew McConaughey's film career. But this movie tells a wonderful personal story of youth in Texas. And cars. And Foghat. Today we go back in time to Austin, 1976 for Dazed and Confused.
Interred at the Founders Memorial Cemetery in Houston is one of the lesser-known founders of the Republic of Texas. Before the tragic end to his short life, he was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the first Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and an early candidate for President of the Republic. Today we’re talking about James Thompson Collinsworth, on Come and Take It!
"One of the most beloved and influential musicians to ever come from Texas was legendary blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the early 1980s, he skyrocketed to fame on the back of his first album, Texas Flood. This week we’re going to talk about this great album, and the legacy of the man behind it.
Although his career on the national stage was brief, Buddy Holly's influence has been vivid and long-lasting. He and the Big Bopper, both native Texans, gained almost legendary status when they lost their lives in a tragic plane crash on the night of February 3, 1959.
Scott Joplin was one of the most influential musicians and composers in American history. The son of poor black workers in East Texas, he was instrumental in popularizing ragtime music, an early precursor to jazz. Despite his popularity, the critical success and acceptance he craved within classical music circles eluded him, and he died an early death in poverty and obscurity. Nearly 50 years would pass before he became recognized outside of the musical world for his influence on America's music and culture.
When you think about drinking a cold one in Texas, most people probably think about taking a pull off a Lone Star longneck. But for many natives of Texas, the cold beverage of choice is none other than the most original soft drink ever: Dr Pepper.
At the twilight of the Spanish empire, the province of Texas continued to experience periodic incursions by groups of freebooters known the filibusters. There were the privateers, including Louis Michel Aury and Jean Lafitte, who turned Galveston Island into a haven for revolution and piracy. There revolutionaries such as Mina and Perry, whose Texas incursions would spell their doom. The last of these was led by Dr. James Long, who would see little success in his endeavors, but the impact his and all the filibusters would be felt for years afterwards.
In the 1810s and 1820s, a motley mix of adventurers, revolutionaries, and freebooters known the filibusters staged a series of incursions and invasions into the Spanish territory of Texas. They came to liberate Mexico, to carve out an independent Texas, or just for personal profit and glory, but whatever their cause, they made a lasting mark on the history of Texas. In 1813, Augustus Magee and Bernardo Guiterrez led the most successful filibustering expedition into Texas, establishing the Republic of the North for a brief time before being crushed by Spanish colonial forces.
Before the Texas Revolution, before the Fredonia Revolt, indeed even before Mexico gained independence from Spain, an independent Texas was the goal of several groups of headstrong, brave, and perhaps foolhardy invasions by adventurers from America and other countries. These freebooters were known as the filibusters, and many consider Philip Nolan to be the first of many to make their indelible mark on Texas history.
William Barret Travis is one of the great icons of Texas history, but few realize that he experienced such failure and disappointment in his short life. Texas truly was a transformative place for this young man, and the fame and glory he sought in life came with his glorious death. This week we look at the life of Alamo hero William Barret Travis, on Come and Take It!
There are lots of classic movies about Texas and then there are movies about Texas to which time has not been so kind. Made in 1969, Viva Max! is one of these lesser films. It features an amazing cast of award winners and is based on the writings of one of the brightest minds of his generation. Today we are discussiong, Viva Max! a film about a Mexican general who re-takes the Alamo in a bid to prove his honor.
Covering over 800,000 acres of far west Texas, Big Bend National Park is the first and largest national park in Texas. Larger than the state of Rhode Island, Big Bend is a diverse and fascinating combination of striking geological formations, rich diversity in plants and wildlife, amazing discoveries from the fossil record, and the darkest skies in all of Texas. This week Come and Take It visits the truly amazing Big Bend National Park!
Jim Bowie was a man who lived many lives. He was a swindler, a fighter, a husband, an adventurer, a patriot, and a rebel. His years in Texas had brought him prosperity as well as heartbreak. In 1836, though, would find his ultimate fate and fame as one of the doomed defenders of the Alamo. This week we finish our look at the life and death of one of Texas greatest icons, Jim Bowie.
In 1828, Jim Bowie left behind his controversial life in Louisiana to start again in Texas, hoping to find his fortune. He found adventure, prosperity, and heartbreak as well. Most significantly, he found his ultimate fate and fame as one of the doomed defenders of the Alamo. This week we continue our look at the life and death of adventurer, rogue, and Texas icon Jim Bowie.
Soldier. Adventurer. Knife fighter. Land swindler. Smuggler. Rogue. Hero. All of these words were used to describe Jim Bowie, a man as famous and notorious as the deadly knife that bore his name. Words that paint the picture, but do no not tell the full story of the man who would one day meet his fate at the Alamo. This week we take a look at the early life of one of Texas greatest legends, Jim Bowie
The history of Texas is littered with great rivalries. The Spanish vs. the French. Texas Rangers vs. the Comanche. Santa Anna vs. Everyone. But today, as we approach the American Thanksgiving holiday, weʼre going to talk about what is, perhaps, the greatest rivalry in the history of the world: the Univeristy of Texas Longhorns vs. the Aggies of Texas A&M.
To many people, Texas is cowboys and cattle drives. The image of tough, independent men driving a massive herd of longhorns across desolate country while facing impossible odds is universally iconic. But cattle drives werenʼt just a bunch of cowboys getting together and aiming a herd of cows north. They were highly profitable and well organized business ventures that followed carefully crafted and scouted trails. One of the most famous of these was the Goodnight-Loving trail, named after two classic Texas characters: Oliver Loving and Charles Goodnight, who forged an epic friendship that has become as legendary as their trail.
This week we return to the early part of the 20th century to the city of Galveston. In the years after the hurricanes of 1900 and 1915 devastated the town, the island worked hard to revive itself as a port and a tourist destination The acceptance of alcohol and other vices played a major part of the recovery of the city, and had an indellible affect on Galveston and Texas history. Today we talk about the Free State of Galveston, on Come and Take It!
It is that time of year again, when our minds turn to the strange, bewildering, and sometimes downright creepy parts of history. There is no shortage of ghost stories in Texas, and—perhaps strangely, perhaps conveniently—many of them revolve around places that are trying to attract people to spend their money. Today we are talking about Haunted Texas hotels.
In 1859, tensions between longtime Tejanos and newcomer Americans in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas exploded into a conflict that became known as the Cortina Troubles. These revolved around a Tejano named Juan Nepomuceno Cortina, the so called Red Robber of the Rio Grande. Unlike many of the conflicts in the Rio Grande Valley, the motivation behind the Cortina Troubles was not one of territory or borders but social equality and a clash of cultures still felt today.
Defeat at the hands of Texas rebels on the field of San Jacinto has left Mexican leader Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna disgraced and discredited, and his country mired in political and economic chaos. But he would rise from the ashes many times before his ambition finally overreached his usefulness.
No man dominated the political life of the first decades of Mexico's existence like Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. But from his earliest days as a Spanish soldier to the field of San Jacinto, Santa Anna's glory was tied to Texas as much as it was to Mexico. Today we look at the early life and rise to power of the infamous Santa Anna, the Napoleon of the West.
Today, Jefferson is a quiet little vacation community in the forests of East Texas. But not so long ago, it was the sort of rowdy saloon and riverboat town where Mark Twain would feel right at home. Cotton was king and this city—hundreds of miles from the coast—gained a reputation as a miniature New Orleans. This lasted until the Army Corps of Engineers opened up the Red River and turned what was once a thriving port city into just another out-of-the-way town. A classic boomtown, Jefferson went from nothing to a thriving metropolis to a near ghost town in less than 40 years.
The Texas Revolution was only one of many rebellions that caught fire during independent Mexico’s first turbulent decades. Even before 1835—and certainly after—there were different efforts within Texas itself to create separate republics. This week, we talk about two of those: the Republic of Fredonia and the Republic of the Rio Grande. These republics were both a cause to, and a result of, the Texas Revolution in some very surprising ways.
A little over one year ago, the first episode of Come and Take It was released to the world. Now, with 52 weekly episodes under our belt, we talk about the show's origins, how we got where we are today, and a little about where we want to go in the future.
One hundred fourteen years ago today, the Hurricane of 1900—sometimes known as Isaacs Storm or just the Galveston Hurricane—was and remains the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. A fifth of the population of the barrier island at the southern end of Galveston Bay was lost, and the true cost of this deadly storm is nearly impossible to measure. Why was it so deadly, and how did it become intrinsically linked with the name Isaac Cline?
The South Texas city of Corpus Christi was once considered a natural refuge from hurricanes. In 1919, though it bore the brunt of a massively powerful storm which devastated the city and killed hundreds, including two of Texas first game wardens who gave their lives rescuing citizens. Today we look at the remarkable story of Captain Joe Williams and the Storm of 1919, on Come and Take It!
He was an engineer, a pioneer, an inventor, a businessman, and a leader. He came to Texas to help found what became Texas Instruments. He played a central role in shaping the city's reaction to the Kennedy assasination, and was called upon by the people of Dallas to fill a civic role as mayor. His years as mayor would help heal the wounds caused on that fateful November day and transform Dallas into a modern cosmopolitan city. Today we discuss J. Erik Jonnson, visionary and architect of the Plan for Dallas.
When you ask 'Who are the great leaders of the Texas Revolution?', the names Houston, Austin, Bowie, Crockett, and Travis come to mind right away. But just as important to the birth of Texas are the Tejanos—Texans of Spanish descent—who took up arms against the tyranny of Santa Anna. Today we look at Juan Seguín, José Navarro, and Lorenzo de Zavala, just a few of the Tejano heroes of the Texas Revolution.
From the earliest days of film to the big budget blockbusters and home-grown auteurs of modern cinema, Texas has played a long and critical role in the history of film-making. This week we look at some of the great films and film stars of Texas.
The First World War had a profound impact on the Lone Star State. From the men and women who served to its role as a training ground for soldiers and aviators, Texas played a significant part in the American war effort. What is often overlooked about World War I is the negative effect on Texas’ German population. As the world observes the centennial of this most terrible of wars, we take look back at the experience of Texas during the Great War.
We have talked about monuments of the Texas Centennial celebration, built to commemorate some of the most important events in Texas history. But not all monuments in Texas are so grand. Many seek to honor famous Texans or the triumphs of the common man. Sometimes we just build monuments to things we like.
Though the Comanche may have had the most impact on Texas History and the Caddo likely had the longest contact with European settlers, there are many other Native American tribes who made their mark. These tribes run the gamut from settled, farming groups to the horse-culture plains dwellers. From the Jumano and Apache of the far west to the Wichita and Kiowa of the plains, to the Cherokee who arrived just before the Revolution, all of these native peoples have a lasting legacy in Texas.
Long before the arrival of Europeans, the land that eventually became Texas was occupied by a diverse array of native people. The interactions of these people with the Europeans shaped both the culture and history of the state. In this episode, we look at some of the tribes that predominated the eastern half of Texas.
You could make the case that written Texas history began with a man named Cabeza de Vaca, who made history as much as he wrote it down. His 4000-mile journey, from the Florida coast through Texas to the Pacific coast of Mexico—most of it walking—is one of the earliest undertaken by a European in Texas.
The history of Texas may be bathed in blood, but it’s also soaked in beer. From small in-house and community breweries, to an explosion of regional operations in the late 1800s, and through the peak dominance of Big Beer in the mid-20th century, beer is as Texan as the bluebonnet or the armadillo. So pop the top off a longneck and start sippin’, pardner: we’re talking the history of Texas Beer.
He’s a legend, an outlaw, an entertainer, and the epitome of what it is to be Texan. Today we conclude our discussion of Willie Nelson in the modern years.
Few people embody the Texan ideal like legendary country music artist Willie Nelson. He is an icon of country music and one of the most recognizable Texans of all time. This week we examine his life, from his childhood in Texas, to the height of his success as the leader of Outlaw Country. We are proud to present this two parter on the life of the legend, Willie Nelson, on Come and Take It!
The Spanish mission system had a critical role in the early exploration and settlement of Texas. The system's purpose was to bring European civilization and Christianity to Native American tribes inhabiting Spanish Texas. Today we take a special look at the history of missions in the New World, its origins, and the influence it played in the development of the Lone Star State This week we are joined by our friend Stephen Guerra of The History of the Papacy podcast to look at the rich and fascinating history of the Texas Missions.
In 1842, war between the Republic of Texas and Mexico reignited, leading to a series of disastrous invasions back and forth across the border. Today we look at the compelling story of the Mier Expedition and the infamous Black Bean incident.
The touchstones of Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto still resonate today. They're more than just stories in the history books, though; they have a physical presence, too: the monuments of the Texas Centennial.
We all know that the birthplace of aviation in the US is at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright Brothers took their historic flight in 1903. But would you believe that the birthplace and incubator of American military aviation was in the historic Texas city of San Antonio? From one officer teaching himself how to fly the Wright Flyer to the global reach of Joint Base San Antonio in the 21st century, we look at San Antonio, the birthplace of American military aviation.
From their beginnings as a group of aircraft enthusiasts in the Rio Grande Valley pooling their money to purchase a surplus World War 2 fighter, the Commemorative Air Force has grown into a nationwide organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of history’s greatest warbirds.
The borders of Texas run for nearly 3000 miles, from the Gulf of Mexico, the length of the Rio Grande, the New Mexico desert, the great plains, the Red River, the piney woods in the east, and down the Sabine River. All of these borders have evolved over time and their tale is the tale of Texas history. The result is a most pleasing shape.
Love Field, located six miles north of downtown Dallas, has been central to Texas aviation history since 1917. Whether training pilots for both world wars, ushering in commercial aviation to the state, or playing its own part in the tragedy of the JFK assassination, Love Field has had many historic moments.
After the fall of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad, Texans fled east to stay one step ahead of Santa Anna's pursuit. The Runaway Scrape, as it came to be known, would have a lasting legacy in the history of the Lone Star State, and would lead to one of the most stunning reversals of fortune in all of history, the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texans turned and faced Santa Anna and won their independence.
Early on the morning of April 16, 1947, the booming port of Texas City, Texas, became the site of the deadliest industrial accident in American history.
Texas is a big state with a rich history, so naturally it attracts some big and rich myths and legends, especially political ones. This week we look at the facts and history behind some of the myths and legends in the Lone Star State.
For many years there has been debate in the state about which Major League baseball team is the “true” baseball team of Texas. At either end of the I-45 corridor sit two great franchises with amazing histories, the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. This week we take a look at highs and lows of the heroes of the diamond in Arlington, TX, the Texas Rangers.
The Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía,more commonly known as Goliad, has a long history as some of the most fought over ground in Texas. For over a century, the Presidio, or fortress, at Goliad had been one of the most important military installations in Texas, and was the center of several bloody battles. The most famous of these was on March 27, 1836, Palm Sunday, when the Texan garrison of Goliad, under Col. James Fannin, was marched out of the presidio and executed by their Mexican captors. This massacre would spur Texas forces on in their fight for independence. This week we Remember Goliad!
The men who filled the ranks of the early Texas Rangers were of a unique breed, and many went on to serve the Republic and State of Texas in greater roles.
While today the Texas Rangers are a branch of the Department of Public Safety, their roots stretch back to the loosely-organized militia that ranged the frontier in Texas during the late 1800s. A unique breed of self-sufficient soldiers, the Rangers went toe-to-toe with Indians, Mexican troops, and outlaws to become legendary.
Fifteen years in the making, The Alamo was a dream project for legendary Western star John Wayne. Through trials and tribulations, Wayne assembled a cast and crew in South Texas and created a sprawling epic that for many years was the defining vision of most famous battle in Texas history. Today we discuss the fabulous story of this classic film and its own impact on the story of Texas.
In 1950, Harmon Dobson founded a hamburger stand that would become a Texas institution. Join us as we discuss the history of Whataburger, on Come and Take It!
A few miles past the middle of nowhere, deep in the desert of west Texas is Loving County, the least populous county in the United States. Yet this tiny place has a rich and fascinating history, and a unique character that is as big as Texas! Travel with us to Mentone, Tx, as we explore the story of Loving County, America's emptiest county, the ultimate in Small Town Texas!
African-American frontiersman Britton Johnson became a legend on the Texas Frontier for bravery and perseverance in setting out alone into Comancheria to search for his captured wife and children. Through two years of trial and heartache, he not only succeeded in liberating his family but several other captives as well. This week we learn about the life and death of a true Texas Original, Britton Johnson!
Starting in 1855, the U.S. Army experimented with camels as pack animals in the arid plains and hills of West Texas. While the evaluations seemed to go well, eventually the whole idea was abandoned and the U.S. Camel Corps became a footnote in the history of the Lone Star State.
Present at the first and last battles of Texas, Creed Taylor was a soldier, ranger, father, and possibly even an outlaw. Join us this week as we discuss one of the most interesting lives in Texas history.
This week we finish our examination of the Reconstruction Era by looking at the Lee-Peacock Feud in the Corners Region north of Dallas, one of the bloodiest conflicts during the era. We also see the rise and fall of the Radical Republicans, and the legacy of the Reconstruction.
The summer of 1865 found Texas in a state of chaos as the Civil War came to an end. It was the start of a decade that brought more conflict and violence than even the previous four years of war had, with the political and social future of the state in the balance. This week we present the first episode in a two part series as we look at the first years of Reconstruction in Texas.
Other places claim to have the best barbeque, but only Texas has the rich variety of different styles and techniques to be the Barbeque King of the World!
"Of the many ghost towns in Texas, none died as tragic a death as Indianola." Join us today as we examine the amazing history of Indianola, the Queen City of Texas. In only 45 years, this town on Texas coast went from a tiny drop off point for the German settlements to become the second largest port in the state before its tragic descruction from two terrible hurricanes. Today it is only a wind swept historical site and fishing pier, but Texas will never forget the city that became know as "The Mother of Western Texas".
In 1854 the first Polish colony was founded in America, right here in Texas! We discuss the journey, hardships, and history of these amazing Texans.
From 1861 to 1865, the flag of the Confederacy flew over Texas as its sixth flag. While war raged in the other Southern states, it rarely touched Texas directly. The impact of this terrible conflict would continue to be felt in the Lone Star State into modern times.
For most of Texas' early history, the Comanche people were the most powerful Indian tribe in the state and the Southern Plains, and the great fear of Texan settlers was that they would join together and strike deep into the heart of the state. In 1840, conflict with the Republic of Texas would see the Comanche and their allies do just that, as they launched the largest raid against European settlement in US history, a raid all the way from the Panhandle to the Gulf. Today on Come and Take It, we discuss The Great Raid of 1840 and the history of the Comanche in Texas.
The story of Texas has always been about self-reliance and living on the edge of the frontier. There is no better example of this than the crucial role that Texas---and the Houston area in particular---have played in the United States’ manned space flight program.
In 1880's South Texas, a feud boiled over into one of the worst gunfights you've never heard of, The Fracas at Daileyville.
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, TX. For an entire generation, where you were on November 22, 1963 is one of the defining points of their lives. Its continuing legacy is felt both psychologically and physically through the very geography of the city.
From its early days as the birthplace of Texas Blues to its rebrith as a home for alternative music, Deep Ellum has always been a significant cultural touchstone for Texas. Join us as we explore the fascinating history of the "deep end of Elm" and its dramatic contemporary resurgence.
The Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world’s largest theme park corporation, with dozens of parks and attractions all over the world. To most people, the phrase “six flags” means nothing more than a corporate branding. But for generations of Texans, there truly is only one “Six Flags” theme park, and it’s located at 360 and I-30 in Arlington, Texas. Join us as we take a look back at Six Flags Over Texas – The Entertainment Capitol of Texas
A special Halloween episode, exploring some of the best known ghost stories tied directly to Texas History.
In this show, we take a look at the phenomenon of the boomtown, including the most famous examples, the Texas Oil Boomtown. We look at Wink, Tx, a tiny spot in the middle of the West Texas desert which transformed overnight from a horse pasture into a bustling and wild city of 20000. We also look at the current Fracking boom going on today and talk about what oil boomtowns and the oil industry in Texas means to us.
On this show, we look at the life and legend of Jean Lafitte, the last great pirate of the Caribbean. We examine the mysteries and contradictions of his life and death, the legacy he left, and what he means to Texas and Texans.
The wild and woolly history of professional wrestling in Texas, from Wild Bull Curry and the Funks to the Von Erichs and Stone Cold Steve Austin. We examine the facinating legacy of the wrestlers and promotions of the Lone Star State.
On October 2, in the village of Gonzales near San Antonio, Texian colonists resisted the attempt by the Mexican officials to sieze a small cannon, challenging the Mexican soldiers to "Come and Take It". Fighting broke out, becoming the last straw in the relationship between Texas and the Mexican government of Santa Anna. This tiny skirmish would set Texas on the road to independence. The flag they fought under would inspire this revolution as well as this podcast.
Second in her class but first to launch, the _U.S.S. Texas (BB-35)_ is a veteran of both world wars and the pride of the Texas Navy. The only ship of her class still afloat, she's made history and seen history, and still has plenty to share in her role as a museum ship. Join us as we discuss her incredible journey and what she means to us and the people of Texas.
We explore the French experience in Texas and why France is one of the "Six Flags Over Texas". What did the French attempts at exploring and colonizing Texas bring to developing the culture and history of Texas?