Center for Texas Studies at TCU

For this week's , we return to Canton, Texas, to witness a place dedicated to local history that resonates internationally: the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Although in Canton, Texas, the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Plaza represents multiple cities in the county. According to the Memorial's website, "the mission of the memorial is to create and perpetuate a Memorial that honors the sons and daughters of Van Zandt County, Texas who left to fight for freedom and never returned." The museum portion of the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Plaza is free and constantly expanding, currently featuring artifacts like ammunition, ribbons, and uniforms. The website also features resources for veterans, including a written six part series on PTSD.

📸: https://www.vzcm.org/

Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Visit Canton Texas

We hope that you've been enjoying our trip down Route 66! Today, we're stopping at the Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian in Amarillo, Texas.

From the exterior's Puebloan architecture to the collection inside, the Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian makes Native American history come to life. The museum's namesake, the Kwahadi, were part of the Comanche. According to the Kwahadi Story (found in this link: https://kwahadi.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=376394&module_id=544459), 1944 birthed the Kwahadi Dancers. Dr. Charles E. Colgate, an assistant Scoutmaster for the Senior Patrol of Troop 9, found inspiration in his past regalia. The troop trained from Fall 1944 to Spring 1945. Although Troop 9 won second place in the competition, they soon received calls from people interested in seeing traditional Native American dance. To this day, the tradition remains alive. The museum's page on www.visitamarillo.com gives a schedule for current and future dances. Along with their collections, the Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian is a fantastic place to see the past and present come to life.

This is our last for the year, but don't fret! You can view our previous entries on this social media page to see what you might have missed, especially if you're in need of a Route 66 itinerary. We also have so many more exciting things to show you, so stick around!

📸: Debi Lander for goodgirlsinthebadlands.blogspot.com

Visit Amarillo

It's time for another ! Today, we're stopping in Canton, Texas, with their First Monday Trades Day.

According to the marker, First Monday Trades Day started in the early 1850s. The judges would hold court in Canton, Texas, on the first Monday of each month. People would use the opportunity to come into town to auction horses, which expanded into other kinds of business ventures as the years progressed. The website for the event, https://www.firstmondaycanton.com/, gives a bit more information on its history. Not only did this day become one for selling goods and catching up, but also to "watch a few 'hangings'", as the website puts it. Luckily, the event moved past the need for gruesome public spectacle, expanding beyond its land and even beyond Mondays! So everyone can easily participate in the fun, First Monday Trades Day takes place on Thursday-Sunday, with the next one taking place on September 3rd-6th. If you plan on attending, read the website's guide to make sure that you have the most fruitful time!

📸: HMDB; Brian Anderson

First Monday Trade Days Visit Canton Texas Canton Texas Main Street Program

Many towns were home to famous celebrities, but not many can make the claims that Uvalde, Texas does! This combines a Hollywood actor, an outlaw gang, and a motion picture.

Matthew McConaughey, known for his comedy and drama roles, was born in Uvalde, Texas, in 1969. One of his lesser-known movies, The Newton Boys, brought him back to his birth place in an unexpected way. Released in 1998, The Newton Boys detailed the story of a family of bank and train robbers active in the early 20th century. The film is based off of a book, which is based off of true events. Willis Newton, the one who came up with the idea for the gang and who McConaughey plays, is from Uvalde, Texas. The Newton Boys, then, provided a unique opportunity for actor, character, and real-life inspiration to come from the same place.

📸: David Torcivia at https://www.flickr.com/photos/viatorci/

Visit Uvalde County

We hope you guys are hungry for this , as our trip down Route 66 takes us to The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery with their 72-ounce steak challenge!

The restaurant was founded in 1960 and catered to Route 66's western roots in its aesthetic choices, including various cowboy-themed decor and signage. That same year, The Big Texan began its steak challenge, called the "1 hour Steak Challenge." Its modern iteration contains many of the same rules, such as needing to finish the entire meal in under an hour and receiving the meal for free if you complete the challenge. As time progressed, The Big Texan gained in notoriety not just from its place on Route 66, but as a set in various movies and the host of Man v. Food's first episode. If you want to try the 72-ounce steak challenge for yourself, simply head over to The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery hungry and ready!

📸https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sign_at_the_Big_Texan_steakhouse.jpg by Jim Heaphy

The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery

Welcome back to ! This week, we're looking at the Nicolas Street School in Uvalde [yoo-VAL-dee], Texas.

The building, which provided education to African-Americans, would not exist without the effort of Mrs. T. B. "Susie" Harris. According to the marker, Uvalde planned on transferring African-American students to an old school building while white and Mexican-American students received new buildings. Upon hearing this, Harris sprung into action. She appealed directly to then U.S.Vice President John Nance Garner, who began his political career in Uvalde. Garner sent a telegram expressing his support and, in 1938, the Uvalde school board approved the purchase of new land for building the school. Although the integration of public schools in Uvalde happened in 1955, the school operated for ten more years.

📸: HMDB; James Hulse

Visit Uvalde County Uvalde County Historical Commission

This week's takes us back to Fairfield, Texas, where we'll show you the city's place in history outside of the Civil War.

Freestone County, along with its county seat of Fairfield, saw a lot of bootlegging during Prohibition. The website for Fairfield's Chamber of Commerce describes the high quality of the moonshine produced in the city as well as law enforcement efforts to stop it. An article from the Waco News-Tribune demonstrates just how massive the law enforcement presence was. The April 21, 1928, article describes arrests of bootleggers accused of killing a Texas Ranger in the "Moonshine War" in Freestone County. This is just one instance of violence during the Prohibition period, as Fairfield's Chamber of Commerce's website reminds us that most bootleggers were "families... trying desperately to survive."

📸: fairfieldtexaschamber.com

City of Fairfield, Texas Fairfield Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

For this week's trip down Route 66 as part of , let's visit the Midpoint Café in Adrian, Texas!

Although built in 1928, Midpoint Café did not receive its iconic name until 1995. As "Midpoint" implies, the café sits at the midway point of Route 66. It's famous for its pies, but it also provides antiques, souvenirs, and insight into efforts to preserve and highlight the Route's historical presence. An additional fun fact (two days early!) is that the café's former owner, Fran Houser, provided inspiration for Flo from Disney and Pixar's "Cars"!

📸: texashighways.com ; James K. Livingston

Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop

Who's ready for another ? This week's spotlight shines on Fairfield, Texas, on the marker for Rev. George Washington Baines outside of the First Baptist Church.

Prior to his 1850 move to Texas, George Washington Baines already lived a storied life. He was born in North Carolina, educated in Alabama, and established churches in Arkansas and Louisiana. The timing of his move and his commitment to his Baptist faith is what landed him a spot in Texas history. According to the marker, he founded the first Baptist newspaper in the state, served as Baylor University's president during the first half of the Civil War, and preached at the First Baptist Church in Fairfield during the second half. His dedication continued after the war as he served as a field agent for the Baptist State Convention. Even though he lived the rest of his life in Salado, Texas, his work in Fairfield is forever remembered by this historical marker.

📸: HMDB; James Hulse

City of Fairfield, Texas Fairfield Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center Baylor University

This week's takes us back to Mineola, Texas, at the Select Theater, home of the Lake Country Playhouse!

Considered one of the oldest continuous operating theaters in Texas, the Select Theater hosts new releases, old movies, live plays, and special events. Despite its initial purpose as a movie theater in 1920, the Theater's acquisition by the Lake Country Playhouse in 1989 (finalized in 2004) diversified the entertainment in the building. They remain committed to the Select Theater's roots while offering exciting changes for the future.

📸: mineola.com

Mineola Texas The Historic Select Theater & Lake Country Playhouse