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Still
operating under the guidance of 92 year-old Luther Fleming Goss.
The corrugated steel building with the no-nonsense signage is one
of the last authentic Texas oases left. Originally built as a Model
T garage and a blacksmith shop, it’s been the home of Goss barbeque
since anyone can remember. |
Belmont’s Premier
Business
TE photo, July 2008 |
Luther Goss and
a roll of butcher's paper - an important part of what separates serious
barbeque from the mediocre.
TE photo, July 2008 |
The Goss family
has figured prominently in Belmont
commerce since the 1850s and at one time they owned the local cotton
gin. An aging photo of the gin hangs on the wall of the dining area
although it was torn down sometime in the 1970s.
Luther Fleming Goss was born in 1916 and attended school in Belmont.
He allowed that the rock shell across the highway was once a general
store (circa 1886) and that a second store on the same side of the
road was separated from the first by a 30 foot alley. When asked if
he had bought candy from either store as a child, Mr. Goss simply
stated: “We didn’t have any candy.”
Luther came of age in the 30s and (although it may seem hard to believe)
he says he “found Belmont too small.”
He became an oilfield worker and traveled to various oilfield towns
around South Texas
including Refugio
and Benavides.
He said that his crew sometimes visited the notorious town of Freer
– but only to stop in at a domino / beer joint that was operated by
a former coworker.
Goss’ crew had the difficult job of “knocking out” blowouts – one
of the most dangerous jobs in the oil patch. Despite Herculean efforts,
results were sometimes disappointing. Mr. Goss tells of a blowout
near Rita (outside of Refugio)
that melted the state highway and burned the ties of the railroad
tracks – resulting in a bend in the highway that remains today. |
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Dining room ambiance.
TE photo, July 2008 |
The dining room
walls of the business are covered in Belmont-related
newspaper clippings, photos and stories like the local man who once
tried to introduce Yaks to Central Texas – supposedly for their milk
and butter. (This enterprise predated the Emu-raising bubble of the
1980s and met the same degree of success).
One photo of a bull rider being thrown from a huge animal brought
the remark – “I don’t remember the name of the man but the bull later
broke his back in a rodeo and had to be put down.” |
A poster
or menu?
TE photo, July 2008 |
The Goss Cotton
Gin in Belmont - no longer standing
TE photo, July 2008 |
Mr. Goss giving
a dining room tour
TE photo, July 2008 |
If you’re traveling
between Seguin
and Gonzales
(or Luling and Nixon)
take the time to stop in for some authentic barbeque – served on traditional
butcher’s paper.
Like the minimal signage and the understated façade – it’s a no-frills
trip back to the decade of your choice.
© John
Troesser |
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