Traces of Texas
@tracesoftexas.bsky.social
Purveyor of Texas history and culture. Cowboy boots junkie and advocate of all things Lone Star. 100% organic, free-range Texas content. A politics-free feed. DON'T get political! Buy me a coffee? Click here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tracesoftexas
Russell Lee, who took this nice street photo in 1939, said that it shows a woman selling an imitation Turkish spread in San Antonio --- but isn't that a shawl? She's awesome. love everything here, including the man photo bombing over her shoulder and the tie being worn by the man on the right.
November 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Russell Lee, who took this nice street photo in 1939, said that it shows a woman selling an imitation Turkish spread in San Antonio --- but isn't that a shawl? She's awesome. love everything here, including the man photo bombing over her shoulder and the tie being worn by the man on the right.
I am not saying I ate too much turkey over the last few days, but I woke up this morning and gobbled. Look at the beautiful Chryslers at Maxwell Chrysler in Sweetwater, 1920s. It would be fantastic to drive around Texas in one of these back then, wouldn't it? Courtesy @spcouta.
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I am not saying I ate too much turkey over the last few days, but I woke up this morning and gobbled. Look at the beautiful Chryslers at Maxwell Chrysler in Sweetwater, 1920s. It would be fantastic to drive around Texas in one of these back then, wouldn't it? Courtesy @spcouta.
Turkey pluckers wait for work to start in Brownwood, 1939.
Man, plucking turkeys all day, every day, day in, day out .... might be the kind of thing that would have you trying to figure a way out.
Taken by Russell Lee.
Man, plucking turkeys all day, every day, day in, day out .... might be the kind of thing that would have you trying to figure a way out.
Taken by Russell Lee.
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Turkey pluckers wait for work to start in Brownwood, 1939.
Man, plucking turkeys all day, every day, day in, day out .... might be the kind of thing that would have you trying to figure a way out.
Taken by Russell Lee.
Man, plucking turkeys all day, every day, day in, day out .... might be the kind of thing that would have you trying to figure a way out.
Taken by Russell Lee.
Kathryn Wood shops for her Thanksgiving Turkey in San Antonio, 1941. 38 years later, in 1979, she would watch in horror as her husband, Judge John Wood, was assassinated right in front of her. The assassin was Charles Harrelson, actor Woody Harrelson's dad. A crazy story.
November 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Kathryn Wood shops for her Thanksgiving Turkey in San Antonio, 1941. 38 years later, in 1979, she would watch in horror as her husband, Judge John Wood, was assassinated right in front of her. The assassin was Charles Harrelson, actor Woody Harrelson's dad. A crazy story.
Texans helping Texans: volunteers wait in line for soup and coffee at the scene of the New London school explosion, March 18, 1937. Sadly, 295 students and teachers were killed. Note the Salvation Army volunteers serving the soup.
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Texans helping Texans: volunteers wait in line for soup and coffee at the scene of the New London school explosion, March 18, 1937. Sadly, 295 students and teachers were killed. Note the Salvation Army volunteers serving the soup.
If you know, you know.
Who cares if it's 6:00 o'clock in the morning? 😄
Who cares if it's 6:00 o'clock in the morning? 😄
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
If you know, you know.
Who cares if it's 6:00 o'clock in the morning? 😄
Who cares if it's 6:00 o'clock in the morning? 😄
Traces of Texas reader Mark Peyton was nice enough to submit this wonderful family photo of the lumber store and post office in Frisco. Mark didn't say when this was taken but it looks to be about 1910 or so. Note the wooden sidewalk going across the mucky road. That's one way to keep the mud off!
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Traces of Texas reader Mark Peyton was nice enough to submit this wonderful family photo of the lumber store and post office in Frisco. Mark didn't say when this was taken but it looks to be about 1910 or so. Note the wooden sidewalk going across the mucky road. That's one way to keep the mud off!
A scene in a parking lot at a Texas A&M football game in 1949. It appears to be the tuba section. I heard it said many times that the people in the tuba section are the biggest partiers in any marching band. Don't know if that's a myth or not.
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A scene in a parking lot at a Texas A&M football game in 1949. It appears to be the tuba section. I heard it said many times that the people in the tuba section are the biggest partiers in any marching band. Don't know if that's a myth or not.
Speaking of giant steps, Cas Haley is from Paris, Texas, and his version of "Walking on the Moon" by The Police is pretty righteous. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.
youtu.be/ch2k_XPw_DM?...
youtu.be/ch2k_XPw_DM?...
Cas Haley - Walking On The Moon - The Police Cover (Live Music) | Sugarshack Sessions
YouTube video by Sugarshack Sessions
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Speaking of giant steps, Cas Haley is from Paris, Texas, and his version of "Walking on the Moon" by The Police is pretty righteous. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.
youtu.be/ch2k_XPw_DM?...
youtu.be/ch2k_XPw_DM?...
Loading grapefruit in Weslaco, 1939. 5 days later, somebody in New York City bought one of these grapefruits, probably giving no thought to those who got it from the earth to the truck. I'm thankful for those who get down on their hands and knees, that I might eat a strawberry.
From Russell Lee.
From Russell Lee.
November 26, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Loading grapefruit in Weslaco, 1939. 5 days later, somebody in New York City bought one of these grapefruits, probably giving no thought to those who got it from the earth to the truck. I'm thankful for those who get down on their hands and knees, that I might eat a strawberry.
From Russell Lee.
From Russell Lee.
Former slaves Anderson and Minerva Edwards, 92 and 87 years old, respectively, on the porch of their home in Marshall, 1937. They were interviewed about their lives by the WPA and you can find that interview online.
November 25, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Former slaves Anderson and Minerva Edwards, 92 and 87 years old, respectively, on the porch of their home in Marshall, 1937. They were interviewed about their lives by the WPA and you can find that interview online.
Feebe the dog, Cara, a glass of wine, and a Texas sunset say "Goodnight, Texas!"
Thanks to TOT reader Jim Holster for sending this in.
Thanks to TOT reader Jim Holster for sending this in.
November 24, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Feebe the dog, Cara, a glass of wine, and a Texas sunset say "Goodnight, Texas!"
Thanks to TOT reader Jim Holster for sending this in.
Thanks to TOT reader Jim Holster for sending this in.
Men pose and show off their muscles in Brownwood, 1920s. I guess some male behaviors are timeless. 😉
November 24, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Men pose and show off their muscles in Brownwood, 1920s. I guess some male behaviors are timeless. 😉
This bathing beauty was sent in by Traces of Texas reader Barbara Vines and shows her mother, Ethel, in Brackenridge Park in San Antonio in the early 1930's. The photo was taken by Barbara's father. He and Ethel used to swim at the park all the time.
Thanks, Barbara! The photo is great!
Thanks, Barbara! The photo is great!
November 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
This bathing beauty was sent in by Traces of Texas reader Barbara Vines and shows her mother, Ethel, in Brackenridge Park in San Antonio in the early 1930's. The photo was taken by Barbara's father. He and Ethel used to swim at the park all the time.
Thanks, Barbara! The photo is great!
Thanks, Barbara! The photo is great!
A woman or older girl with two siblings or children in Houston, 1899.
November 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
A woman or older girl with two siblings or children in Houston, 1899.
As J.R. Ewing, Texan Larry Hagman was the only actor to appear in all 357 episodes of "Dallas." I only mention it because Larry died 13 years ago today, on Nov. 23, 2012. He was 81 years old.
November 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
As J.R. Ewing, Texan Larry Hagman was the only actor to appear in all 357 episodes of "Dallas." I only mention it because Larry died 13 years ago today, on Nov. 23, 2012. He was 81 years old.
Four patrons at Don's Keyhole jazz club in San Antonio, late 1940s. It was a renowned spot that opened in 1944 and saw Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole and famous folks play. One of the first integrated clubs in the south and historically noteworthy for that reason. Lasted for about 25 years.
November 23, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Four patrons at Don's Keyhole jazz club in San Antonio, late 1940s. It was a renowned spot that opened in 1944 and saw Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole and famous folks play. One of the first integrated clubs in the south and historically noteworthy for that reason. Lasted for about 25 years.
62 years ago tonight, Jackie and JFK attended a United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) at LULAC's gala in the ballroom at the Rice Hotel. He would be assassinated in Dallas the next day.
Photo courtesy the @houstonchronicle.com.
Photo courtesy the @houstonchronicle.com.
November 22, 2025 at 4:44 AM
62 years ago tonight, Jackie and JFK attended a United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) at LULAC's gala in the ballroom at the Rice Hotel. He would be assassinated in Dallas the next day.
Photo courtesy the @houstonchronicle.com.
Photo courtesy the @houstonchronicle.com.
Some of the things y'all send in just blow my mind. Traces of Texas reader Cal Nettles sent in this unique item. It's the letter General Motors sent to Cal's uncle Joe when Joe wanted to buy a car, using two mules as collateral. As you can read, General Motors agreed. How cool is this?
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Some of the things y'all send in just blow my mind. Traces of Texas reader Cal Nettles sent in this unique item. It's the letter General Motors sent to Cal's uncle Joe when Joe wanted to buy a car, using two mules as collateral. As you can read, General Motors agreed. How cool is this?
One of my own photos. I took this shot of Texas barbecue legend Vencil Mares back in 2012 at the Taylor Cafe, is BBQ place in Taylor, Texas. Vencil was 89 when I took this and died at 96 in 2019. I once asked him the secret to his long life and he winked and said "barbecue is health food."
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM
One of my own photos. I took this shot of Texas barbecue legend Vencil Mares back in 2012 at the Taylor Cafe, is BBQ place in Taylor, Texas. Vencil was 89 when I took this and died at 96 in 2019. I once asked him the secret to his long life and he winked and said "barbecue is health food."
A dapper man in Cleburne ca 1880. Epic hat! I need to add one to my haberdasher arsenal. I have decided he's an architect and unmarried, but courting Pearl Allen, daughter of Dr. Charles Allen and his wife Martha.
Courtesy the wise and perspicacious folks at The Portal to Texas History.
Courtesy the wise and perspicacious folks at The Portal to Texas History.
November 21, 2025 at 12:13 AM
A dapper man in Cleburne ca 1880. Epic hat! I need to add one to my haberdasher arsenal. I have decided he's an architect and unmarried, but courting Pearl Allen, daughter of Dr. Charles Allen and his wife Martha.
Courtesy the wise and perspicacious folks at The Portal to Texas History.
Courtesy the wise and perspicacious folks at The Portal to Texas History.
Actress Jayne Mansfield departs by helicopter to Rotterdam, Netherlands (1957). Though born in Pennsylvania, she moved to Dallas as a young girl, graduated from Highland Park High School, and attended both UT and SMU. She was exceptionally intelligent, spoke five languages and played the violin.
November 19, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Actress Jayne Mansfield departs by helicopter to Rotterdam, Netherlands (1957). Though born in Pennsylvania, she moved to Dallas as a young girl, graduated from Highland Park High School, and attended both UT and SMU. She was exceptionally intelligent, spoke five languages and played the violin.
The late, great Mance Lipscomb, left, and the equally great Lightnin' Hopkins as seen in the 1968 documentary "The Blues According to Lightnin' Hopkins," directed by Les Blank. It's a short (33 minutes) documentary but it really takes you in Lightnin's world 57 years ago. Highly recommended.
November 18, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The late, great Mance Lipscomb, left, and the equally great Lightnin' Hopkins as seen in the 1968 documentary "The Blues According to Lightnin' Hopkins," directed by Les Blank. It's a short (33 minutes) documentary but it really takes you in Lightnin's world 57 years ago. Highly recommended.
Traces of Texas reader Leigh Hajovsky kindly shared this nice photo of her grandmother, Kay Klauber, and it comes with a great story. This was taken in the late 1940s, when Kay was modeling. Today, Kay is 94 years old and still the owner and operator of Kay Klauber Candies in Columbus, Texas.
November 17, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Traces of Texas reader Leigh Hajovsky kindly shared this nice photo of her grandmother, Kay Klauber, and it comes with a great story. This was taken in the late 1940s, when Kay was modeling. Today, Kay is 94 years old and still the owner and operator of Kay Klauber Candies in Columbus, Texas.
James Dean take a peak behind the camera while on the set of "Giant" in Marfa, Texas, 1955. Pretty dang cool!
Taken for LIFE magazine.
Taken for LIFE magazine.
November 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
James Dean take a peak behind the camera while on the set of "Giant" in Marfa, Texas, 1955. Pretty dang cool!
Taken for LIFE magazine.
Taken for LIFE magazine.