Maze: Texas Sunset

TEXAS: THE LONE STAR STATE

Texas is derived from the Caddo Indian word, Tejas, meaning friends or allies.  Tejas was an alliance of Indian tribes that lived in northeast Texas.  No wonder the motto of the State of Texas is Friendship.  Before the acquisition of Alaska in 1959, it is the biggest state in America.  This big state has a big heart.  It became the sanctuary and welcoming host for most of devastated folks and victims of hurricane Katrina.

Spanish adventurers looking for "Glory, God, and Gold" first explored Texas in the 1500s.  There were 30,000 Indians that lived throughout the state at the time.  Jamaica Governor Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda and his followers were the first White men to settle.  In 1682, by way of El Camino Real (Royal Highway), Franciscan missionaries erected the first two missions deep in the west Texas town of El Paso.  In 1685, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, a French explorer, landed at Matagorda Bay to established a colony, Fort St. Louis, miles inland.  He was killed by one of his men in a row and the Indians destroyed the fort.  In 1690, Spanish missionary established San Francisco de los Tejas.

By early 1700, missions were established throughout east, central and southwestern Texas.  They became the first outpost of Texas civilization.  In 1772, Texas became the seat of Spanish Government.  The White population increased to 7,000.

In 1820, Moses Austin, a banker from Missouri, went to Texas to establish a colony.  When he died, his son Stephen F. Austin carried out his father's dream, asked and received and grants from Mexico to establish the first Anglo-American settlement.  In 1835, way long before the TV show Walker Texas Ranger, the Texas rangers were formed to serve and protect Texans.  In March 1836, the famous Battle of the Alamo was bravely fought by Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William B. Travis.  No man escaped from the siege (February 23 to March 5, 1836).  General Sam Houston shouting "Remember the Alamo" led the victory over Mexico on April 21 forcing Santa Anna to sign a treaty granting Texas independence the following day.

The six flags of Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States and the United States of America were raised all over Texas.  The Republic of Texas up to this day has an embassy in London, England.  In 1845, Texas joined the Union by treaty.  It became the 28th State.

In 1860, bad cowboys and never-do-wells were scared of the "Hanging Judge" who held court at his Langtree Saloon.  Judge Roy Bean was his real name, the most famous if not notorious lawman west of the Pecos.

The state capitol in Austin was built in 1885 and 1888.  The impressive building was made of pink granite from Granite City.  Politically, Texas has supported the Democratic Party throughout most of its history -- broken only by the great WWII General and Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower of Denison in 1952 and 1956.  The other great Texas sons who became President: Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush and his beloved son - the current President George W. Bush. 



City Hall



 Early Spaniards introduced Longhorns, later replaced by Hereford, Aberdeen, Angus, and shorthorn.  The best, biggest, thickest, juiciest, and cheapest beef steaks in the whole world can only be found in Texas restaurants.

Boat crossing the Rio Grande River - Texas and Mexico border

White horse grazing

First Published 2005 ALT MSN Groups

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Published 7/29/10 ALT Group Multiply
Web Page: Texas
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Texas Sunset

"Let the sun go down on you today and rise with a new sun tomorrow"