March 1999
Table of Contents
Features
The Best of Small-Town TexasWhere to stay. Where to play. Where to eat. Where to shop. What to see. From Abram to Yoakum, a special report on our favorite down-home destinations. HotelsBig, breezy porches in Port Aransas, the only heated pool for miles in Marathon: You’ll get more than just a bed and breakfast at these ten appealing places to stay. MuseumsBronzes by Remington and Russell in Orange, Quanah Parker’s trail bonnet in Canyon: Ten spaces that excel at the art of exhibition. RestaurantsA creamy quiche of spinach, cheese, and mushrooms in Comfort, smashingly good smashed turnips in Granbury: These and other delicious dishes at ten extraordinary eateries. SportsHot hurdling in Giddings, super six-man football in Gordon: Ten towns that got game. ShopsElegant antebellum furniture in Jefferson, Latin American folk art in Smithville: Where the buys are in two dozen communities. |
Music ClubsOld country and western in Mingus, zippy zydeco in Bridge City: The shows always go on at these ten tuneful spots. SquaresA masterpiece of courthouse architecture in Waxahachie, a handsome jail of native stone in Marfa: Significant structures line the streets of five terrific town centers. RadioPlay-by-play coverage of high school baseball in Alpine, polka and Pan-American music in El Campo: More than a dozen reasons not to touch that dial. CemeteriesSimple wooden crosses in Terlingua, carefully delineated stonework in Jefferson: Five great graveyards that run the gamut. TownsfolkLa Grange’s Mr. Barbecue, the police chief of Athens: Fifteen local characters with, er, character. |
Columns
BooksWindfallCall it A Simpler Plan: Austinite Jim Magnuson’s new novel is about the consequences of finding a lot of money—and it’s a good read. MusicWhat She DeservesTen years ago she was the Next Big Thing. She still is. Meet Kelly Willis all over again. |
MediaUrban CowboyPeter Jennings. Liz Smith. Barbara Walters. Joe Armstrong? You may not know the name, but New York publishing’s most famous ex-Abilenian is at home among the stars—and is a star in his own right. ArchitectureSuburban RenewalHow three Dallas area developers are beating back the threat of soulless sprawl by restoring a sense of community. |
Reporter
FaceElisa JimenezThe Ex FilesLucinda Williams |
State SecretsThis Year’s RemodelAfter watching their business districts wither away as companies set up shop in the suburbs, Texas cities and towns are banding together to fight back. Hot BoxCD and Book Reviews |
Miscellany
Texas PrimerBob WillsWhich future Texas governor hired Bob Wills to play on his Fort Worth radio show? Roar of the CrowdSteered Wrong |
The Inside StoryLet’s Get Small |
Recipes
State FareShellfish? Swellfish. One bite of miso-glazed shrimp at Dallas’ Green Room and you’ll be hooked. |



