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January
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Notrees
and Goldsmith,
Texas
My family moved to the Humble Oil Camp (1 mile out of Goldsmith)
when I was just starting the 4th grade. (1957) I attended Goldsmith
Elementary School and, later, Crocket Junior High. Our Camp was
the 2nd stop on the bus route to Odessa, and in it's heyday there
were 7 or 8 of us making the trek, but at the end it was only
my friend, Sheila, and I. The oil field had moved to Monahans
and we moved to Odessa. I still remember stopping in Notrees on
the way to Odessa.
Goldsmith had a variety store, 2 grocery stores and about 7 liquor
stores, if my memory serves me right. I had always heard that
it had been quite a boom town in the past. I think it even had
a hotel--I think. Anyway, we never did anything but pass through
Notrees, but it seemed to me that there was nothing there in those
days. It made Goldsmith look big.
I haven't been back to my old stomping grounds since I graduated
in 1965; however, I'm going back in May and try to remember where
everything was. I had some good times on that ol' flat piece of
ground. - Judy Keffer, February 27, 2004
- Britton,
Texas
I found your web site and was enthralled by its candor in preserving
history and to say the least, wanted to know more about our town
that has been annexed by Mansfield.
By chance I was made aware of someone coming from UT at Arlington
photographing Britton's old bank building. My father, Amado Benavidez
SR, owns the house and the old bank building. He has always wanted
to fix it to preserve history and do something for the community.
My father is paralyzed on the left side and I am the only son
left alive to help him. I am inviting you to our town to show
you some historical building not accessible to the public or anyone
until now. - Best Regards, Amado Benavidez Jr.,
February 28, 2004
- Ben
Ficklin.
It is with great interest that I recently read your article about
Ben Ficklin.
In 1879, my greatgrandparents settled in Ben Ficklin and lived
there until the flood in 1882. After the flood, they established
a ranch on Willow Creek in the northern part of the county which
later became Sterling City. Their names were Thomas and Ann
Blezard Brennand.
They married in England in 1862 and came to America. They
lived in Wisconsin until 1879 when they moved to Ben Ficklin.
Thomas had a ranch and raised sheep and cattle. Thomas was the
first County Commissioner to represent Precinct No. 4 and was
present as a member of the Commissioners Court at its first sitting
at the old Kildare Ranch in 1891.
I do not know where Thomas was the night of the flood. His son
William Henry Brennand, who was my grandfather, was in Midland.
When he heard about the flood, he got on his horse and rode all
night to see about his parents and sisters. When he got to Ben
Ficklin, he found his mother and sisters sitting on the roof of
their house. The only thing they were able to save was a pan of
yeast. I guess they knew if they survived they would need something
to make bread to eat.
His sisters names were Jennie and Annie Brennand. I know this
story is true because it was told to my father by Jennie who was
one of the girls. - Very truly yours, Ann Brennand Martin Williams,
February 25, 2004
-
Cross
Plaines
I was born in Rising Star Texas in 1952 and lived the first 6
years of my life in Cross Plains. My father worked at a truck
stop owned by Owen Pancake. If anyone has any old pictures, please
contact me at rich@our-town.com - Ronnie, February 16, 2004
|
- Subject:
Fairy Fort
My
name is Donnie Fort and Fairy would be my Great Aunt. My Dad and his brother are
children of Hugh Fran Fort who was Fairys brother. They still live in Sweetwater,
Texas. W.W. Fort is listed there and my Dad lives at the Holiday Retirement Center.
My Aunt Fay lives in the Dallas area. She is the sister of my Dad. - Donnie
Fort, January 24, 2004
- Subject:
Swenson, TX
Your site brought back many memories. I grew up in Swenson,
northeast of Double Mountain.
My mother grew up in Peacock.
Thomas C. Hoy, the founder of Swenson, was my great grandfather. Many of my ancestors
are buried at the Double Mountain Cemetery, and my uncle, Roy Tarrance,
once preached a revival at the Double Mountain Church. My grandfather, G.C. Tarrance,
delivered mail along the Double Mountain route out of Peacock during the 30's
and 40's. A photo of Double Mountain (from the North) can be found at http://www.rootsweb.com/~txstonew/
This is the Stonewall County web site. - Pat Hoy, January 24, 2004
- Subject:
Saludos desde Valera (Spain) a Valera in
Texas Saludos Soy un español nacido en una pequeña población llamada Valera,
situada en la provincia de Cuenca, en la zona central de España. Deseo enviar
un saludo a esa pequeña población de Texas e informar de nuestra existencia. Mi
nombre es: MATÍAS ALONSO BLASCO, y mi email: matiasalonsoblasco@hotmail.com January
13, 2004
- Subject:
The Waco Suspension Bridge
Hello, I just recently discovered this site and find it very interesting in its
quite extensive history of Waco
and in particular its bridges. At the bottom of your page titled "The Waco Suspension
Bridge" There is a picture or a postcard of the Bosque River Bridge. That picture
is most certainly a picture of the Whipple
Truss Bridge in Clifton, a Texas Historical Landmark, built in 1884 by Wrought
Iron Bridge Company. Another angle of the bridge as well as more information can
be found at: http://clifton.centraltx.com/history.htm Clifton
is only 30 miles Northwest of Waco. I hope this information helps in better identifying
that picture. - Paul Newsome, January 11, 2004
- Subject:
Historic trees of Texas
I
am assembling information and photographs for a temporary exhibit on historic
trees of Texas. This exhibit will be displayed during the Arbor Day celebration
at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center on Saturday, January 17, 2004. This celebration
is an annual open house event, free to the public. The purpose of the event is
to provide education about native, Texas trees and forests. I am requesting permission
to use some of the photographs
and information from your Texas Escapes website for this exhibit. - Carole
Huelbig Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, January 10, 2004
- Subject:
Sipe Springs
My
Mother lived at Sipe Springs as a child and graduated from high school (or should
I just say 'school') there. Her name was Leetie Placker, and during her junior
and/or senior years there, she was paid a small sum to teach classes.
Mom was really the class valedictorian but that honor was only given to male students
at the time. She had the highest grade average.
Mom always spoke about
Sipe Springs with fond memories about life there. She lost her little sister to
diptheria or some disease. They were real pals and spent most of their time together
until her sister died.
Her Father, Lazarus Baird Placker was a transplant
from Menard, Texas
where he grew up on a ranch. He was a good man, and heavy on principles. Mom helped
him make syrup for area people who grew sugar cane. He had a press that was a
turntable pulled around by a horse. They cooked the cane sap down and made syrup
for a share.This helped give the family extra money. Other than that, they farmed
and raised their meat and chickens.
Grandmother was …Susie Etta Welsh…,
a tall happy woman who was from a family of singers. They went around singing
in Churches etc. and I believe that is where Grandad (Poppa) Placker met her.
I could go on, but I don't know If this will fall on receptive ears. Thank You
- Ray Gaines (Son of Leetie), January 5, 2004
- Subject:
Waxahachie SuperCollider
I am a 17 year old resident of Waxahachie. I have lived here all my life and have
known about the Supercollider since it was built -- and cancelled. There have
been many 'town rumors' about what exactly the supercollider will be eventually
used for. ... The Supercollider (with the big tunnels, etc.) is now being very
seriously considered as a potential prison. They will use the tunnels and build
surrounding walls and buildings to complete the prison. However, this will make
the land [by the supercollider] worthless.
There has already been a protest
at the courthouse
in the historic downtown Waxahachie.
I do not know whether the supercollider will be turned into a prison but I think
the source is reliable.
By the way, the tunnels, now, are filled with
water to prevent anyone entering them, and if the prison is built, there will
be one road in/out.
I was browsing the internet and I happened to come
across your website, [and] I thought you might find it interesting to know that
the project that would have changed Texas is now rumoured to turn into ANOTHER
prison -- talk about recycling.
Your website was very informative, I
never knew the road Buena
Vista was once a town! hahaha. Thank you. - J. Hallabough, January 03,
2004
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