Texas Not So Known Facts

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  • svhorns
    All State
    • Apr 2015
    • 1024

    Texas Not So Known Facts

    Facts about Texas that most people might not know. Feel free to share your knowledge.

    Paris, TX was originally known as Pinhook, TX
  • Super B
    All District
    • Apr 2015
    • 879

    #2
    Good thread idea.
    Super B

    Comment

    • Super B
      All District
      • Apr 2015
      • 879

      #3
      Sam Houston (1793-1863) was the first president and first governor of Texas. The Cherokee, with whom he lived in Tennessee, called him “the Raven.” Though one of the most famous Texans, he was actually born in Virginia and served as governor of Tennessee. A statue of Sam Houston called a “Tribute to Courage” is the world’s largest freestanding statute of an American.
      Super B

      Comment

      • svhorns
        All State
        • Apr 2015
        • 1024

        #4
        The term “maverick” is derived from the name Samuel A. Maverick (1803-1870), an early Texas lawyer and pioneer.

        Comment

        • svhorns
          All State
          • Apr 2015
          • 1024

          #5
          The largest county in Texas is Brewster. It measures 6,193 square miles, which is roughly the size of Connecticut. Delaware could fit inside Brewster three times.

          Comment

          • Abilenefan
            Special Teams
            • Apr 2015
            • 33

            #6
            Originally posted by svhorns
            The largest county in Texas is Brewster. It measures 6,193 square miles, which is roughly the size of Connecticut. Delaware could fit inside Brewster three times.
            Bexar County used to stretch all the way into West Texas. 128 current counties west of Bexar were cut out in the early days of the republic.

            Comment

            • Eagle82
              All District
              • Apr 2015
              • 830

              #7
              The word “Texas” was the Spanish pronunciation “Tejas” of the Hasinai Indian word meaning “allies” or “friends.” In fact, the Texas state motto is “friendship.” Ironically, many Native American tribes in Texas, including the Hasinai, were totally destroyed.

              Comment

              • Eagle82
                All District
                • Apr 2015
                • 830

                #8
                A $60 million treasure of gold plundered by Coronado is believed to be buried on an 80-acre pasture at the Sems Ranch near Clyde, Texas.

                Note: Clyde is about 10 miles or so west of Abilene.

                Comment

                • Eagle82
                  All District
                  • Apr 2015
                  • 830

                  #9
                  During its period as an independent country, Texas attempted to expand south and west into what was then Mexico. “There was a whole series of expeditions and counter-expeditions and skirmishes and battles,” said Bob Brinkman, coordinator of the historical markers program at the Texas Historical Commission, a state agency. Even after joining the United States, Texas held on to the idea that it would take a large chunk of the Territory of New Mexico. But as part of the Compromise of 1850, which maintained the balance of power between free and slave states, it relinquished claims to roughly 67 million acres in exchange for $10 million to pay off its debt.

                  Comment

                  • Super B
                    All District
                    • Apr 2015
                    • 879

                    #10
                    - Texas has 254 counties. More than any other state.

                    - Harris county, at 4,441,370 has a higher population than 24 other states, DC, and all US territories.

                    - There are five 1,000,000+ population counties in Texas. Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar and Travis in that order. Their combined total area is 5,867.5 square miles. Together they are only bigger in total area than CT, DE, RI & DC & all US territories. Their combined population is 11,912,379. However together they are more populated than 45 other states, DC & all US territories.

                    To put it another way. If these five counties were somehow the 51st state, it would rank 47th among all states in land area, yet 6th in population.

                    The remainder of Texas, obviously would be larger, still retaining it's #2 ranking in total area behind only Alaska, and STILL be larger in population than this new 51st state, ranking 4th after dropping two spots, now behind CA, FL & NY.
                    Super B

                    Comment

                    • Super B
                      All District
                      • Apr 2015
                      • 879

                      #11
                      Geography fascinates me.

                      All the numbers are below.

                      The largest county in Texas (area) is Brewster. The smallest is Rockwall.
                      Brewster is about 42 times the size in area as Rockwall.
                      However, Rockwall is larger in population than Brewster, and has a little more than 9 times as many people.

                      Furthermore, the five largest (area) counties, though combined is 156 times larger than Rockwall, still has less than half the population of Rockwall county.

                      Brewster County
                      Area: 6,193 mi²
                      County seat: Alpine
                      Population: 9,286 (2013)

                      Pecos County
                      Area: 4,764 mi²
                      County seat: Fort Stockton
                      Population: 15,697 (2013)

                      Hudspeth County
                      Area: 4,572 mi²
                      County seat: Sierra Blanca
                      Population: 3,318 (2013)

                      Presidio County
                      Area: 3,855 mi²
                      County seat: Marfa
                      Population: 7,201 (2013)

                      Culberson County
                      Area: 3,813 mi²
                      County seat: Fort Stockton
                      Population: 2,277 (2013)

                      Totals
                      Area: 23,197 mi²
                      Population: 37,779

                      Rockwall County
                      Area: 149 mi²
                      County seat: Rockwall
                      Population: 85,245 (2013)
                      Super B

                      Comment

                      • Super B
                        All District
                        • Apr 2015
                        • 879

                        #12
                        More on Rockwall County (149 mi²).

                        There are seven cities in Texas that are larger (area) than Rockwall County. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso & Corpus Christi.

                        In fact, in all, there are 54 US cities larger than Rockwall County. Not counting those ridiculous Alaskan "cities" which are 1-4.
                        Super B

                        Comment

                        • Super B
                          All District
                          • Apr 2015
                          • 879

                          #13
                          As of the 2010 US census, Texas was the only state with three 1,000,000+ cities, in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. Just in the last few months, Califonia added their third when #10 San Jose rose above 1,000,000.

                          However, Austin is #11 and has grown 15% since the 2010 census and is currently at 912,000+. Austin will easily reach and exceed 1,000,000 in the next few years, then pass San Jose. Texas will then have four top 10 cities , all with 1,000,000+.

                          But wait, there's more.

                          San Francisco is currently at 852,000+ and 13th. Fort Worth is at 812,000+ and in 16th. However, Fort Worth has grown 10% to San Fransisco's 6% since the 2010 census. Fort Worth will overtake San Fransisco before either reach 1,000,000. Then Texas will have five 1,000,000 plus cities.
                          Super B

                          Comment

                          • Eagle2
                            All District
                            • Apr 2015
                            • 533

                            #14
                            The Texas Rangers(not the baseball team) are the oldest law enforcement agency in North America with statewide jurisdiction.

                            Dr Pepper was created in 1885 by a Waco pharmacist.

                            The Texas Star Ferris wheel at Fair Park Dallas is the largest in the western hemisphere,

                            Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Over 1.5 million bats roost beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge over Lady Bird Lake and eat between 10,000- 30,000 lbs. of insects a night. The largest
                            known bat colony in North America is also located in Texas in Bracken Cave. Over 20 million bats live in the cave, which is more bats than there are people living in Mumbai, India—one of the world's largest human cities
                            . And the capital dome in Austin is 7 feet higher than the dome on the U.S. capitol. Texas has the second tallest state capital building, after Louisiana.

                            Comment

                            • some eagle fan
                              Special Teams
                              • Apr 2015
                              • 85

                              #15
                              Clyde Barrow is interred in a family plot in Dallas, Texas at the Western Heights Cemetery with his brother Marvin “Buck” Barrow, who was killed in a shootout with police in Platte City, Missouri in 1933 where the gang was hiding out. Bonnie Parker is buried in northwest Dallas at Crown Hill Memorial Park.

                              Comment

                              • some eagle fan
                                Special Teams
                                • Apr 2015
                                • 85

                                #16
                                July 19, 1878 Allen, Tx. Sam Bass and his gang robbed the Union Pacific gold train from San Francisco, netting over $60,000, which is to this day the largest single robbery of the Union Pacific. He was wounded by Texas Rangers on the way to rob a small bank in Round Rock, and died two days later on his 27th birthday.

                                This was also the first train robbery in Texas. Right here little o' Allen.

                                There are many different versions of this story out there. I have always heard it as noted above but after looking into it, it seems the 60k in gold was stolen in Nebraska. None the less, he and his gang did rob a train in Allen, the first Texas train robbery, and he meet his maker in Round Rock.
                                Last edited by some eagle fan; 05-31-2015, 09:18 AM.

                                Comment

                                • sTp
                                  1st Team
                                  • Apr 2015
                                  • 361

                                  #17
                                  Originally posted by some eagle fan
                                  While in Allen, Tx. Sam Bass and his gang robbed the Union Pacific gold train from San Francisco, netting over $60,000, which is to this day the largest single robbery of the Union Pacific. He was wounded by Texas Rangers on the way to rob a small bank in Round Rock, and died two days later on his 27th birthday.

                                  This was also the first train robbery in Texas. Right here little o' Allen.
                                  Interesting.. There is a Sam Bass road here in Round Rock.. Now it all starts to make sense..
                                  ...

                                  Comment

                                  • Abilenefan
                                    Special Teams
                                    • Apr 2015
                                    • 33

                                    #18
                                    The State grass of Texas?

                                    Sideoats Grama

                                    Comment

                                    • Abilenefan
                                      Special Teams
                                      • Apr 2015
                                      • 33

                                      #19
                                      Legend has it that Wyatt Earp first met Doc Holliday in a saloon at Fort Griffin just North of Albany, TX.

                                      Comment

                                      • mad_fan
                                        Special Teams
                                        • Jun 2015
                                        • 30

                                        #20
                                        Originally posted by Super B
                                        Geography fascinates me.

                                        All the numbers are below.

                                        The largest county in Texas (area) is Brewster. The smallest is Rockwall.
                                        Brewster is about 42 times the size in area as Rockwall.
                                        However, Rockwall is larger in population than Brewster, and has a little more than 9 times as many people.

                                        Furthermore, the five largest (area) counties, though combined is 156 times larger than Rockwall, still has less than half the population of Rockwall county.

                                        Brewster County
                                        Area: 6,193 mi²
                                        County seat: Alpine
                                        Population: 9,286 (2013)

                                        Pecos County
                                        Area: 4,764 mi²
                                        County seat: Fort Stockton
                                        Population: 15,697 (2013)

                                        Hudspeth County
                                        Area: 4,572 mi²
                                        County seat: Sierra Blanca
                                        Population: 3,318 (2013)

                                        Presidio County
                                        Area: 3,855 mi²
                                        County seat: Marfa
                                        Population: 7,201 (2013)

                                        Culberson County
                                        Area: 3,813 mi²
                                        County seat: Fort Stockton
                                        Population: 2,277 (2013)

                                        Totals
                                        Area: 23,197 mi²
                                        Population: 37,779

                                        Rockwall County
                                        Area: 149 mi²
                                        County seat: Rockwall
                                        Population: 85,245 (2013)

                                        And I thought all Fort Stockton was good for was its last gasoline for 200 miles...

                                        Comment

                                        • svhorns
                                          All State
                                          • Apr 2015
                                          • 1024

                                          #21
                                          Originally posted by Abilenefan
                                          Legend has it that Wyatt Earp first met Doc Holliday in a saloon at Fort Griffin just North of Albany, TX.
                                          They were real?

                                          Comment

                                          • Eagle82
                                            All District
                                            • Apr 2015
                                            • 830

                                            #22
                                            Originally posted by svhorns

                                            They were real?
                                            you didn't watch the movie?

                                            Comment

                                            • svhorns
                                              All State
                                              • Apr 2015
                                              • 1024

                                              #23
                                              Originally posted by Eagle82

                                              you didn't watch the movie?
                                              It was a movie!

                                              Comment

                                              • Eagle82
                                                All District
                                                • Apr 2015
                                                • 830

                                                #24
                                                Originally posted by svhorns

                                                It was a movie!
                                                it sure was!

                                                Comment

                                                • svhorns
                                                  All State
                                                  • Apr 2015
                                                  • 1024

                                                  #25
                                                  Originally posted by Eagle82

                                                  it sure was!
                                                  I know!

                                                  Comment

                                                  • Abilenefan
                                                    Special Teams
                                                    • Apr 2015
                                                    • 33

                                                    #26
                                                    Originally posted by svhorns

                                                    They were real?
                                                    Yep.

                                                    Comment

                                                    • b756561
                                                      Practice Squad
                                                      • Jul 2015
                                                      • 4

                                                      #27
                                                      Originally posted by Super B
                                                      Sam Houston (1793-1863) was the first president and first governor of Texas. The Cherokee, with whom he lived in Tennessee, called him “the Raven.” Though one of the most famous Texans, he was actually born in Virginia and served as governor of Tennessee. A statue of Sam Houston called a “Tribute to Courage” is the world’s largest freestanding statute of an American.
                                                      Yet it is only the second largest statue in Texas. The Dallas Zoo giraffe is 6 inches taller than ole Sam.

                                                      Comment

                                                      • JagFan
                                                        1st Team
                                                        • Apr 2015
                                                        • 476

                                                        #28
                                                        Originally posted by b756561

                                                        Yet it is only the second largest statue in Texas. The Dallas Zoo giraffe is 6 inches taller than ole Sam.
                                                        Glad to see you posting again...

                                                        Comment

                                                        • b756561
                                                          Practice Squad
                                                          • Jul 2015
                                                          • 4

                                                          #29
                                                          Originally posted by JagFan

                                                          Glad to see you posting again...
                                                          Just got tired of the same old negative quotes from the same old negative people. How long have they been talking about the same thing? They just can't let it go. I see that hasn't changed any since I've been gone. Probably won't be back till the season starts again. Maybe then the subject will change. If not, I have other things in my life to keep me busy.

                                                          Comment

                                                          • JagFan
                                                            1st Team
                                                            • Apr 2015
                                                            • 476

                                                            #30
                                                            Originally posted by b756561

                                                            Just got tired of the same old negative quotes from the same old negative people. How long have they been talking about the same thing? They just can't let it go. I see that hasn't changed any since I've been gone. Probably won't be back till the season starts again. Maybe then the subject will change. If not, I have other things in my life to keep me busy.

                                                            Understand. Welcome over here. Different styles.

                                                            Comment

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