Good News

Built in 1925 the Houston Light Guard Armory building has a very interesting story. Only used for 13 years housing the Light Guard, its original purpose, it was then deeded to the city. Long vacant and the victim of vagrants and hurricanes, it is now in the process of being refurbished and saved.

The Buffalo Soldier National Museum has stepped up and is raising funds to turn this treasure into their new home. Though initial clean-up and minor demolition is getting underway they are still a far cry from reaching their $4 million goal. Contribution to the reconstruction effort can be made HERE.

Ramp It Up

A little bit of Texas Pride shows up in some of the strangest places. This one is imbedded in the wall of the I-45 Contraflow exit ramp just as you near downtown.

Capped Off

Ever wonder what to do with all those twist off caps from your bottled beer?

Do what this store vendor in Old Town Spring did and create a unique Texas state flag with them.

Got Texas Pride?

This shop does.

Yes... a very simple post for today.

Feeling a Bit Blue...

Well… bluebonnets that is. This wildflower is actually the state flower of Texas, and usually blooms profusely across all parts of the state this time of year. I am fortunate enough that my urban bike route (remember… I’m training for a big cycle ride) was one of the beneficiaries of a local initiative to seed wide flowers within our city limits.

The White Oak Bayou Hike & Bike Trail is COVERED with wildflowers now, and really makes training a bit more tolerable.

What It's All About...

Located in Carruth Plaza within Reliant Park, this is the bronze sculpture “Texas Legacy” by artist Robert Summers. The Rodeo is winding down and this piece seems to capture what it originally was all about.

Cowboys… earning a hard living, bringing in a heard of Texas Longhorns.

Texas Longhorn

Part of the Livestock Show is an area with an example of each of the cattle breeds. The Texas Longhorn has been a part of Texas culture for centuries with its ability to adapt and, of course, their up to 7 ft. wide set of horns.

They survived as a primitive animal on the most primitive of ranges prior to becoming the foundation stock of that region's great cattle industry. Shaped by a combination of natural selection and adaptation to the environment, the Texas Longhorn is the only cattle breed in America which - without aid from man - is truly adapted to America.

Happy Dodransbicentennial, Texas!!

THAT was a mouthful...

It was 175 years ago, on March 2, as fighting was ongoing at the Alamo, that 59 delegates worked overnight to write the Texas Declaration of Independence officially declaring its independence from Mexico.

Bearing the state’s name, The USS Texas was commissioned in 1914 and is only one of six remaining ships to have seen duty in both World War I and II. Her home is now at the docks along San Jacinto State Park, where she sits as a permanent memorial and museum.

Texas Pride

Another example of the Texas Spirit that is reflected throughout the city, at times almost subtly.

This example is a cornerstone relief on the abandoned Houston Light Guard Armory building. More on the history and possible future use of this building will come later.

The Architecture of Lamar High School

Built in 1937, some of the original architecture of Lamar High School still remains. With road frontage to the busy upper Westheimer, the façade of the school’s performance hall/auditorium, with its landmark State of Texas map, remains in constant view of passersby.

Refurbished and renamed after Ned Holmes, the performance hall was re-opened in 2009 with a special performance by acclaimed Lamar alum, Tommy Tune.

State Flag

December brings cold fronts and cold fronts bring brisk winds out of the north, which, in turn, make it a great day to be a flag.

Originally, the national flag of the Republic of Texas it became the official state flag when Texas became the 28th state of the union in 1845 and is the fourth of the “Six Flags” of Texas.

Smells Like...

Texas Spirit (with apologies to Kurt Cobain)


Remember when I mentioned Texas Pride HERE? The owner of this building seems to have taken that sense of state pride to the extreme. Unfortunately, it didn't help, as this former furniture store went out of business, and this building is now vacant.

However... for travellers on Interstate 45 south of town, this building still reminds them exactly what state they are in!!

Republic of Texas Citizen

I’ll admit it… there is a certain stereotype (among several) that people from Texas seem to exude more state pride than other states.

Maybe… just maybe that stems from the fact that Texas was once its own country.

Regardless of the reason or the perception, this metal marker adorns several gravesite markers throughout Glenwood Cemetery, and honors the fact that they once were actual citizens of the Republic of Texas. In fact, Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas, is buried in Glenwood.