Texas History

Yes friends. The moon still shines on the moonshine stills deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas.  Just ask the lawmen in Trinity and Smith Counties.

Change is coming to the Alamo, but not fast enough for some people. A new Alamo custodian, a city bond issue and efforts to revitalize downtown San Antonio are driving a fresh outlook for the site of an early Spanish mission and the famous 1836 battle during the short war for Texas independence.

Today, March 2nd, is Texas Independence Day. The 176th anniversary of the day in 1836, when a group of Anglo colonists gathered at a place they named Washington on the Brazos and agreed it was time for the area called "Tejas" to declare its independence from Mexico. Today's Lufkin Daily News has an editorial that sums up the meaning and importance of this day as well any we've ever read.

Today, March 1st, is the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the Navy cruiser USS Houston off the coast of Java during World War II. Some of the handful of survivors are in Houston this week to remember their comrades who didn't make it, and tell the remarkable story of what happened to them as prisoners of war.

A long time east Texas attraction may have to close down because of cash flow problems.  If the popular Texas State Railroad can't get a cash infusion soon and find ways to make money 12 months a year, its managers say it will go out of business this week.

Another piece of Texas history is falling under the wrecking ball.  The historic arena where the Texas Prison Rodeo was held for more than 50 years is being demolished to make way for...for...who knows what.  Something to be decided later.

President Barack Obama isn't the first president to have his birthplace questioned.  A lot of people in Tyler, Texas say President Dwight D. Eisenhower, our 34th President, claimed he was born in Tyler for most of his life. So how did Denison, Texas get to be known as "Eisenhower's Birthplace"?

A Houston attorney says he has found a way to keep the Houston Astros in the National League.  He says moving to the American League could violate the team's stadium lease agreement with the Harris County/Houston Sports Authority.