The following family register entries to Lone Star Junction are posted so that our viewers can share information about specific families that lived in early Texas. Inquiries of more general interest in Texas history should be posted in our Texas History Forum. We invite all interested viewers to participate in the register. IMPORTANT: Refer to Guidelines for Posting Family … Read more
Today, the seal of the state of Texas has developed into a uniform design with both a front (obverse) and a reverse side. By law, the seal is required to authenticate official documents of the state. The origins of the seal go back to the early days of the republic. The Obverse (Front) The Convention … Read more
Texas, Our Texas, the official state song of Texas, was adopted by the Legislature in 1929 after being selected in a state-wide competition. It was composed by William J. Marsh of Fort Worth. The lyrics were written by Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright.
The Monarch Butterfly became the Texas state insect by a 1995 resolution of the state legislature. The resolution was introduced by Representative Arlene Wohlgemuth on behalf of students in her district. The Monarch is unique among butterflies in that it is the only species of butterfly that does not hibernate, but migrates in changing seasons. … Read more
The pecan tree was signed into law as the state tree of Texas in 1919. Legend has it that Texas Governor, James Hogg, was particularly fond of the pecan tree and requested a pecan tree be planted on his grvesite. This inspired the Texas state legislature to adapt the pecan as the official Texas state … Read more
The following are people that performed key roles in the development of Texas before 1900. Click the name for additional biography and details of each individual. Birth Death TexasRevol. IndianFights MX/AMWar Civil War Branch T. Archer 1790 VA 1856 TX ✅ Stephen F. Austin 1793 VA 1836 TX ✅ Peter H. Bell 1812 VA 1898 … Read more
A severe illness at the age of fifteen left R. M. Williamson crippled for life. As a result of the illness, his right leg was drawn back at the knee. To compensate, he wore an artificial limb from the knee down, which led to his widely used nickname of “Three-Legged Willie.” Williamson was born in … Read more
In a land and at a time known for its tough and colorful characters, William A. “Bigfoot” Wallace felt right at home. During his sixty years in Texas, he set the standards as a ranger, backwoodsman and folk hero. Born in Lexington, VA on April 3, 1817, Wallace grew up and worked on his father’s … Read more
Born in South Carolina on 9 August 1809, William Barret Travis will always be remembered as the Texas commander at the Battle of the Alamo. He spent his childhood in Saluda Co., SC, which was also the home of James Butler Bonham, another Alamo defender. Travis studied law and became a practicing attorney for a brief … Read more
For over fifty years, Alexander Terrell maintained a high profile in Texas. His public service career progressed from that of district court judge to military officer, legislator, and U. S. minister to Turkey. Born in Virginia on November 3, 1827, Terrell moved with his family to Missouri at an early age. There, he studied law … Read more