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  • FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS

    There is approximately 50,000 miles of Interstate Highway in the United States.....filled with cars traveling at an average of 75 miles an hour. Several years ago I began driving the BACKROADS throughout Texas and the surrounding states - discover many fascinating places and people. While traveling "off the beaten path" I have tried to capture the spirit of these forgotten roads in photographs.

    After sharing some of these journeys with folks I have met I've been encouraged to document my travels.........I invite you to FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS!

    "To often......I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen"
    Louis L'Amour

FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS: HICO, TEXAS

Sunday, December 30, 2018 Posted in Backroads,Texas Events,Texas Historical Site,Texas TownsTags: No comments
Higo Texas: Where Everybody is Somebody

This area was first settled in the early 1800’s. A post office was established in 1860 was then closed in 1867 and finally reopened in 1871. By 1874 the town had eight businesses, including a cotton gin. Most of the residents of the area raised cattle and cotton. The city Hico, Texas was incorporated in 1883. Hico soon became the shipping center for Hamilton County and a center for cotton and cattle markets.

Billy the Kid:   “Brushy Bill” Roberts, a resident of Hico during the 1940’s claimed to have been the famous outlaw, Bill the Kid. Brushing said he was born south of Abilene in Buffalo Gap. He spent his last years of his life trying to prove to everyone his true identity and obtaining a pardon that was promised to him by Lew Wallace, the Governor of New Mexico. Brushy Bill died in Hico on December 27th, 1950. The son and other decedents of Sheriff Pat Garrett claimed Garrett had not killed Billy the Kid. There were no eye witnesses as to whose body was placed in the Billy’s grave. They believe that Garrett and Billy the Kid plotted to collect the $500.00 reward offered for the capture of Billy the Kid.

Billy the Kid Museum – Hico


Things to do in Hico? PLENTY

Koffee Kup Family Restaurant – located at the intersection of Hwy 281 and State Highway 6 – has been Backroad travelers favorite since 1968. Is it good…….hell yeah you can tell by all the trucks and motorcycles that are always parked in front. The Coffee Kup is famous not only for it’s world-class Chicken Fried Steak, but also for it wide variety of delicious homemade pies, they bake 90 to 100 pies a day. For breakfast they feature the biggest donut you will ever see – great for sharing! http://koffeekupfamilyresturant.com

Koffee Kup Family Restaurant

Els Ice cream and sandwiches – guess what is delicious here! http://hicosupstairsinn.com

Wiseman House of Chocolates – located in the historic Wiseman House it now houses some of the best Belgian chocolate truffles in the world as well many other chocolate treats. A local favorite is the “Wild Woman Truffle” which is dark chocolate dipped in dark chocolate and then drizzled in dark chocolate! They also have Chocolate Classes available to visitors. http://wisemanhousechocolates.com

Billy the Kid Museum – explore the evidence and decide for yourself the fate of this famous outlaw http://billythekidmuseum.com

Blue Star Trading Company – very large retail/event space featuring Texas art and western wear and furnishings. Upstairs is a gallery of historic photographs of Hico.

Midland Hotel – the old hotel has been restored and opened for guest. You can grab a great dinner at The Chop House and 1896 Saloon. http://historicmidlandhotel.com

The Midland Hotel

Texas Steak Cookoff – every 3rd week in May, Hico is the home to the Texas Steak Cookoff. More than 100 cooking teams compete for the honors as the Texas Steak Cookoff Champions. This event draws over 5,000 visitors. This event features vendors, live music, wine tastings, and of course the best Steak you will find in the Lone Star State. http://texassteakcookoff.com

When traveling the Backroads of Texas there are towns that are a must – Hico is one of these. If you like bright lights, traffic, and men in skinny jeans you probably should stay on I35 – BUT if you like great food, Texas History, friendly people, men in boot cut jeans and do I need to mention the best pie in the United States then HICO IS A MUST. Come enjoy the town where Everybody is Someonehttp://hilo-tex.com

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FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church High Hill, Texas (Schulenburg)

Friday, March 2, 2018 Posted in Backroads,Ghost Towns of Texas,Painted Churches of Texas,Texas Historical Site,Texas TownsNo comments


In the early 1860’s during the European immigration several families of Austrian and German descent  settled in High Hill.  They were searching for religious freedom and opportunities in the new world – they were some of the lucky ones that settled in THE LONE STAR STATE!  Life was not easy for these early Texans.. they had travel to nearby cities to celebrate mass and important church holidays.  In I869 construction for  the first church using  lumber that was hauled there from Columbus, Texas by ox-wagons.    On September 8, 1870 the first Catholic church of High Hill was blessed.  As the community grew the second church of High Hill was completed in 1875.  The first church building was converted to a school that stayed open until 1922.

The St Mary Church of today is the third church to be built on the original nine acres that was deeded to the church in 1868.  The current Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church is one of the first churches built by noted Texas architect, Leo M.J. Dielmann.  It was build in 1906. Dielmann had just completed his architecture studies in Germany and designed a classic gothic revival structure.  Many of the materials used were from the old church.  The original 18 stainless windows from the second church were placed into the present church.  On September 8, 1906 , the new brick church of High Hill was blessed and the cornerstone was put in place.  The final decoration, artwork and wall and ceiling  decorations were note completed until 1912.  Three bells from the second church were place in the bell tower and remain operational today.  North of the present church is a amazing marble cross surrounded by cedar trees.  The cross placed there in 1891.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church is know as the “Queen of the Painted Churches” and is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.   This Church is just another of the wonderful destinations to visit in Texas.  There are a number of the other famous Painted Churches in the neighboring town – making this a great weekend or day adventure

High Hill, Texas is located on Farm Road 2672, three miles from Schulenburg, Texas.

 

“Life is just a schoolroom with a glorious opportunity to prepare us for eternity”    Billy Graham

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FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS: Ammannsville’s Painted Church St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Sunday, February 25, 2018 Posted in Backroads,Ghost Towns of Texas,Historic Cemetery,Painted Churches of Texas,Texas Historical Site,Texas TownsNo comments

Ammannsville, Texas‘ roots go back to the 1870’s and is named after the first settler, Andrew Amman.  Like many of the towns in the area the early settlers were German and Czech immigrants.  In 1876 the first business opened and the town had a post office by 1890.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was opened in 1890.  This church was destroyed in a hurricane in 1909.  A second church was built by Leo Dielmann, an architect from High Hill.  This second church burned to the ground in 1917.  Immediately the folk in Ammannsville began to plan and rebuild a third time.  The third church was completed in 1919.  This church was simpler than the earlier ones, the interior has wide open spaces.  Six of the statues and a crucifix that had been saved from the fire were placed in the church.  Fred Donecker, a noted decorative painter was hired to give some pizzazz to the church’s interior which is a dusty rose color.

In the early days the women sat on one side of the church and the men sat on the other.  The pews still have hooks where the men would hang their hats.

Next to the church is a cemetery with artistic old ornate tombstones, many of which include Czech inscriptions.  Many of the early settlers are buried here.

There are still about 40 local residents today in the area.  Most of the local activities revolve around the church and the KJT hall.

St John the Baptist Catholic Church and Ammannsville are reminders of a simpler time.  Once a thriving community it is now a  step back in time.  While touring the Painted Churches of Texas be sure and make Ammannsville one of your stops.

“The Church is the one institution that exist for those outside it”      William Tyndale

 

 

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FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS: Dubina Tx Painted Church: St. Cyril & Methodious

Sunday, February 4, 2018 Posted in Backroads,Ghost Towns of Texas,Painted Churches of Texas,Texas Historical SiteNo comments
In the 1800s Czech and German immigrants came to the Lone Star State, many settled in the central part of Texas.  They named their towns after towns they had left in their homelands.  Dubina, Texas is one of these towns.  These settlers had a very strong work ethic, a great sense of community, and a strong desire to worship and pray together.  They purposely made their new churches feel like the ancient structures that they had left by painting the walls, alters, and arches of their new churches wooden walls in colorful patterns.  These churches became know as THE PAINTED CHURCHES.  These churches have been preserved including St Cyril & Methodious Catholic Church in Dubina, Texas.

Dubina  is known as the first Czech Settlement in Texas founded in 1856.  The first recorded Europeans to pass through the area were member of the La Salle party in 1680.  There are records that confirm that La Salle pasted within 2,000 yards of where St Cyril & Methodious Church is located.  Dubina became the spiritual, cultural, and business center for this region of Texas.

In 1877,  St Cyril & Methodious Church was built.  A freed slave, Tom Lee, built the cross on the steeple that is still on the church today.  In the 1880’s there were more than 600 families in the parish.  The church was destroyed in 1909 by a hurricane.  Immediately the people of Dubina began building rebuilding – in 1911 the current church was completed – including the iron cross that was salvage from the debris.  The interior was painted with beautiful frescos, vines, oak leaves, and angels.  During the 1950s unfortunately the entire interior was whitewashed.

Fortunately in 1983 efforts, lead by Judge Ed Janeckas and Butch Koenig, began to restore the church interior.  The original designs were uncovered during the renovation and restored using some of the original stencils.

This church stands as a reminder of an important period of Texas History.  These early settles had a strong faith in God which help them through many hardships as they settled in this new land.  This church is open daily to visitors and is worth a visit.  St. Cyril & Methodious Church is located off FM 1383, two miles north of highway 90.

“Let us go into the house of Lord”   Psalms 122:1

 

 

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FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS: A TEXAS BACKROAD CHRISTMAS

Sunday, December 17, 2017 Posted in Backroads,Christmas,Santa Claus,Texas Historical Site,Texas Towns,UncategorizedNo comments
Every year, come December there is magic in the air as we prepare for Christmas and the chance to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  After Mary and Joseph had traveled the BACKROADS our savior was born in a manger.  There is not better place to celebrate the birth of Christ then on the Backroads of THE LONE STAR STATE (since most of us consider this the promise land).

Wishing all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas from the BACKROADS OF TEXAS:

The Night Before Christmas……..TEXAS STYLE

 

‘Twas Christmas Eve in Texas, when all ‘cross th’ ranch,
Not one critter was stirrin’, not even a branch;

Th’ boot-socks were hung from barbed wire with care,
In hopes that th’ tops this year would not tear;

Th’ kids were all tucked up like cows in a shed,
While dreamin’ of baked goods like cookies and bread;

Mom hung up her Stetson by my worn Resistol,
Took off boots, jeans and belts then in bed we did fall,

When out by th’ barn there was all sorts of clangin’
We jumped up right quick to see what was a bangin’.

Grabbed up our rifles and dressed quick like hustlers,
Grabbed ammo ‘n’ shotguns case it was rustlers.

Moon glow on tin roof shined by sand blowin’ hard
Gave enough light for seein’ and showed th’ farmyard,

We ‘uns concluded we was a seein’ thangs
Like, an old worn-out stagecoach pulled by eight green-broke mustangs,

With a great big ol’ driver, who held a tight rein,
we sure knew right quickly it must be John Wayne.

Much faster than bullets his horses sure came,
Still he whistled, and shouted, and yelled out each name:

“Now Pitchfork! now Pickup! now, Chisum and Dallas!
On, Haybale! on, Hairball! on, Lonestar and Texas!

Right over th’ leech field! and on past th’ well pump
Now gee-up and yee-haw, git ready to jump!”

Like tumbleweeds scurry when tornadoes whirl by,
When they just go and head skyward, up they sure fly.

Yep, up to th’ rooftop them horses strivin’,
with that stage full of toys, and th’ Duke a drivin’

In just a short moment we heard on th’ roof
Th’ stomping and stamping of each unshod hoof.

As we threw on our hats, and were heading downstairs,
John Wayne kicked in the front door which fell on two chairs.

Was dressed like a sheriff, from his hat to his boots,
And his clothes were all showin’ deep-down western roots;

Saddle bag of toys he had flung ‘cross his back,
and small things stuffed in pockets too much for his pack.

His eyes how they squinted! his pistol how gleamin’!
His badge was all shiny, his neck scarf tied streamin’!

His shirt unbuttoned, with th’ flap hanging down
And th’ jut of his chin was as fierce as his frown;

His rifle he held onto tight in his hand,
‘Til he got a good feel for the lay of the land;

He had broad shoulders which carried quite a load in
And shook when he laughed as his face creased with a grin.

He was handsome and tall, a legend come to life,
And we sure liked what we saw both me ‘n’ th’ wife.

Him winkin’ at Mom and a noddin’ his head
Made us glad we did not get Santa instead.

He drawled a few words, but he mostly just worked,
Filled boot-socks with oranges and meat, spicy-jerked,

And waving his hand in gesture well known,
Crashed through a window just as if he was thrown;

He sprang to his coach, toward his team the whip cracked,
Away they all galloped as if some injuns attacked.

But we all heard him shout, as he started to go,
“Howdy, Pardner, all y’all, saddle up, wagons ho!”

poem by Suzann Darnall

 

“Christmas, my child, is love in action.”  Dale Evans

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