Texas History
January 11, 2024
Felix Longoria Died a Hero in World War II. Then His Texas Hometown Refused to Host His Memorial.
His family fought back—and made a lasting impact on the fight for Mexican American rights.
Texans You Should Know
Texas History
July 28, 2023
The Myths and Melodies of Forgotten Bluesman Texas Alexander
The early blues singer helped define the genre and achieved major success—until a story of murder tainted his legacy.
Texas History
May 3, 2023
Marrying an Elephant, Adopting a Chimp: Tales From the Life of Houston’s Wildest Zookeeper
Charismatic German immigrant Hans Nagel revolutionized the Houston Zoo and kept it afloat during the Great Depression.
Texas History
February 28, 2023
This Texan Was a Master of a Curious Midcentury Art Form, the Industrial Musical
Brands once staged elaborate productions for their employees. No one was better at making them than Mexia-born Michael Brown.
Texas History
February 23, 2023
How Florence Butt—Not Her Son—Launched the H-E-B Empire
It should be called F-T-B.
Texas History
May 31, 2022
How “Cowgirl Accordionist” Cleo Raymond Helped Texas Country Music Find Its Sound
The 99-year-old North Texas musician stumped for LBJ, toured with the USO, and still recalls hundreds of tunes.
Texas History
March 15, 2022
The Forgotten Texas Scientist Who Helped Develop the Polio Vaccine
Northeast Texas–born Byron Bennett was one of four key researchers on the team that created the lifesaving vaccine, but the spotlight shone only on Jonas Salk.
Critters
February 22, 2022
How the Turtle Lady of South Padre Helped Save the Kemp’s Ridley
Ila Loetscher took costumed turtles on late-night TV and founded a nonprofit that has rescued thousands of the creatures.
Texas History
December 1, 2021
It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Barbette, a Gender-bending 1920s Aerialist From Round Rock
Performing death-defying trapeze stunts in drag, he shocked Parisian audiences.
Sports
July 12, 2021
How Austin’s Willie Wells Pioneered the Modern Batting Helmet
A talented infielder and a strong hitter who played around the world, he created an early iteration of the protective gear that now keeps baseball players safe.
Texas History
June 22, 2021
A Pioneering Black Singer’s Compositions, Long Forgotten, May Finally Have an Audience
Waco-born baritone Jules Bledsoe starred on Broadway and toured Europe, but his original opera and other works languish in obscurity. A Baylor professor hopes to change that.
Texas History
April 19, 2021
Juanita Craft Helped Integrate the Texas State Fair—And Inspired the Next Generation of Civil Rights Activists
The subject of our latest Texans You Should Know history profile started 182 NAACP chapters and welcomed kids and power brokers alike into her South Dallas home.
Texas History
March 9, 2021
How Polly Abarca Fought to Bring Birth Control to South Texas
The nurse and activist helped secure the country’s first federal family-planning grant, which became a national model.
Texas History
January 20, 2021
How Manny Guerra Shaped the Tejano Music Scene
The San Antonio producer created a style that would endure for decades—and he helped Selena get her start.
Texas History
January 5, 2021
Until 1968, a Married Texas Woman Couldn’t Own Property or Start a Business Without Her Husband’s Permission. This Dallas Attorney Changed That.
Louise Raggio fought to pass a landmark law that gave equal rights to Texas women.
Texas History
November 18, 2020
Texans You Should Know: How a Black Cowboy’s Discovery Changed the Field of Archaeology
George McJunkin found a prehistoric bison skeleton that upended theories about human existence in the Americas.