Known more popularly as a “horned toad,” “horny toad,” or “horned frog,” the Texas Horned Lizard is neither. They are not amphibians, like other toads, but instead are reptiles with claws and scales. Their appearance has a long heritage within Texas history and prehistory. Some Native American tribes revered horned lizards as sacred animals. Throughout the Southwestern United States and into Mexico, the lizard was a common motif in Native American artwork. This reverence has continued to the present-day. The “horned frog” is the mascot of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and can be f ..read more

Being an “old school” writer, I keep a dictionary on my desk to help with spelling, or to define the meaning of unfamiliar words. Somewhere in a box is my Webster’s paperback edition from college that divided itself into multiple sections from wear and tear. My present Webster’s was gifted to my daughter upon her high school graduation in 1989. I could Google, or do Internet searches to help me write, but again, I am of the old school. I like to hold a dictionary in my hand, turning the pages as I look at the top for “word prompts” to locate my word. That is how I found a new word for my voc ..read more

A need, a means, a concept, and someone to bring these factors together must be present for places to develop. One of these individuals who made development possible was Wyatt C. Hedrick, an architect-builder who transformed the skyline in Texas communities, especially Fort Worth, during the early twentieth century. Born in Virginia, he moved to Texas in 1913 and established Wyatt C. Hedrick Construction Company the following year. By 1919 he had offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and El Paso. During the seven years of successful operation, Hedrick’s company constructed private and indu ..read more

Have you ever wanted to step back in time and experience some of the military weaponry that’s shaped world history for generations? Well, now’s your chance! Visitors of all ages are welcome to discover firsthand how ships, planes, tanks, missiles, and more shaped today’s world at the Museum of Military Models in Clyde, Texas. This one-of-a-kind collection provides an educational glimpse into the equipment that helped shape history in the United States and beyond. Exhibits feature more than 600 scale models and artifacts spanning from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War era plus severa ..read more

Folks from all over the Lone Star State, from Tarleton grads to couples across West and North Texas, recognize Swindle’s Jewelry as a true state icon. From handcrafted watches to wedding rings and more, Swindle’s is known far and wide for their dedication to creating long-lasting, stunning pieces for Texans from all walks of life. This Texas Treasure has brought joy and craftsmanship to countless Texans from its founding in 1942 to today. In the early 1940s, Grady “Big Red” and Gracie “Gus” Swindle founded their store in Dublin, Texas, complete with a watchmaking school in the back room. After ..read more

Nestled in the Heart of Central Texas, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, in the ever-growing city of Waco, stands as the revered home of over 400 sports legends from The Lone Star State. With a dedicated mission to uphold the legacy of its esteemed inductees and the rich history of Texas sports, the Hall pays homage to athletes, coaches, and administrators whose enduring contributions have left an indelible mark within the realm of sports excellence. Established in 1951 by the Texas Sports Writers Association, it marks the first state Sports Hall of Fame in the United States. That same year, the ..read more

There are so many important dates in Texas history.  We have battles (Alamo and San Jacinto), transitions, birthdates, tragedies, assassinations, victories and defeats. Start with March 2, 1836, and the adoption of the Texas Constitution, now known as Texas Independence Day. Or maybe November 22, 1963, and the assassination of President John Kennedy in Dallas. Finally, consider July 20, 1969, when Neal Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon and Houston is the first word heard from the moon. But what about September 24, 1960? Some may argue that Texas history changed on that date in ..read more

For more than two decades, Alvin native Nolan Ryan ruled the diamond. His legacy should speak for itself by this point in history. However, the legacy he is paving for his life off the mound may have an even greater impact than the one he spent dominating batters. For the uninitiated, though, let’s take a quick look at Ryan’s storied career in Major League Baseball. With a career of having played in the majors for a record 27 seasons, Nolan Ryan was bound to accumulate some impressive statistics. Let’s start with the fact that he was the final active player from the 1960s to retire from Major ..read more

Many are familiar with the Texas Historical Commission and the great work they have done to promote and preserve the history of Texas. Many are probably not as familiar with the Texas Historical Foundation, what they do, and how they were once connected with the Commission. In 1953, the Texas Legislature established the Texas State Historical Survey Committee and tasked them with surveying and recording Texas history and sites. They were also charged with the review of historic sites for their worthiness before the state purchased them. The Texas Historical Foundation was formed as a nonprofi ..read more

Coach Ron Mayberry epitomized all things good in a Texas coach who never had a losing season. He coached at over 30 schools. His coaching path included little schools such as Wellman-Union (K-12 enrollment 117) to stints at junior college perennial powers such as Odessa College, Midland College, and South Plains College. Always in demand as a coach, he proved his methods through winning seasons, playoff appearances and having nearly a dozen junior college students go professional. Here’s a brief list of Coach Ron’s achievements: One thousand wins. Head coach at thirteen high schools and six c ..read more