Texas Tales

Who were the Karankawa? Feared warriors, misunderstood coastal nomads, or victims of slanderous folklore? In this episode, inspired by Texas Monthly's powerful article “We No Longer Have to Live in Secret” by Stephen Harrigan, we dive into the rich and turbulent history of the Karankawa people. From their seasonal migrations along the Texas Gulf Coast to violent encounters with Spanish colonists and Anglo settlers, their story is one of resilience, betrayal, and survival.We'll explore the truth behind the cannibal myths, the devastating Skull Creek Massacre, and the tribe's ultimate displacement. But their story doesn't end there. Today, descendants are reclaiming their heritage and ensuring the Karankawa's legacy is remembered in the 21st century. Join us as we separate fact from fiction and uncover the extraordinary tale of a people who refuse to be forgotten.

Want to keep away ghosts or witches? Ever wonder about gravesite etiquette or ensure you have a bountiful crop? Well...we did. In this episode, we cover a wide range of popular Texas superstitions just in time for Halloween. Grab yourself a drink, get  dressed up in your Halloween costume and get ready for a very informative and fairly funny episode of your state's most spooky superstitions.

In this episode we discuss the area of I-45 just south of Houston, heading towards Galveston. Over the years, many women and girls have gone missing along this thoroughfare and many have been found murdered. So many in fact, that this stretch of highway has been referred to by the police, FBI and locals as "The Killing Fields". This Texas Tale highlights four of the victims that presumably have nothing in common, except their final resting place. 

Its the season! Spoooky season. Are you ready to scare yourself silly? Go check out the Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio. An early 1900's hospital, psych ward and morgue turned into a fancy hotel. If you can't find a ghost there, not sure where you will. In this episode, learn about the history, the namesake and the current day hauntings. Hope you enjoy!

Long before there was the Chisolm or Goodnight Loving Trails, there was the Opelousas trail. Used by Native Americans, the Spanish, Mexicans, Texans and yes...cattle. Driving herds to New Orleans was not for the faint of heart, but for those that did it well, it seriously paid off. We hope you enjoy listening the our tale about the original Texas cattle drive.

When European wines are under attack by a harmful little pest, who do they turn to save their butts? That's right....TV Munson from Dennison, Texas. What an interesting tale about how the Texas vines were the perfect solution for a European problem. We hope you grab your favorite glass of wine, sit back and enjoy listening to how the European wine industry has us to thank for their great wines.

Five opportunities to strike it rich! We are trying to ensure that listening to our episode pays off for someone. In this episode we countdown the five most famous buried treasures in Texas. We hope that at the end of this episode you grab your shovel and start digging for treasure...and when you strike it rich, maybe you'll find it in your heart to share just a little.

What if instead of horses and donkeys, camels were the animals that helped settle the west? This very well could have been our reality. On this episode we explore why horses rather than camels, but determine... maybe we chose wrong?!? Grab yourself and drink, sit back and enjoy this episode. Who knows...maybe you will learn something new. 

Battle so nice, they decided to have it twice. 29 buffalo hunters and traders against 700 plains Indians. This battle has incredible significance for both sides. It is the beginning of the end for the Comanches and other tribes and opens up Texas and the west to settlers once and for all. Hope you enjoy this one!

What would you do if you were out numbered ten to one by the fiercest fighting Native American tribes. We don't know either, but it probably would not be pretty. In this episode we discuss the largest battle in plains history. We hope you enjoy this episode. Its a doozie.

The Hoodoo war, also referred to as the Mason County war, lasted decades. It was the longest running feud in Texas history. It is a prime example of how one or two conflicts left unresolved can spiral into a divided community. Many people were injured and many lost their lives in this 30 year feud. Hope you enjoy this episode.

Every have a bad day at work? Probably does not compare to the day these three gentlemen had. Just a normal days activities turn into the largest explosion in Texas history. Was it the beginning of World War III? Will there be nuclear fallout? You will have to listen to understand just how this event happened. Hope ya'll enjoy!

Do the classic mafia stories intrigue you? Did you know that right here in our great state we had an organized crime syndicate that could rival those more famous ones. In this episode we discuss the Maceo Crime Syndicate. These brothers started as barbers and rose to be the undisputed dons of Galveston, along with the still well known Fertitta family. We learned quite a bit in this episode and had fun doing it. Hope you find it as enjoying.

The honorable Judge Roy Bean Jr. Well... honorable might be a stretch. How does a murdering thief make a career out of dishing out justice? You'll have to listen to this episode to learn more. This really is good ol' Texas justice.

In this latest episode, we cover a very dark episode in the Rangers history. It was a time when Texans living along the Mexican border had to deal not only with Comanches, but Pancho Villa and his raiding bandits. The Rangers of the time were left up to their own methods of dealing with the violence they faced and sometimes the outcomes are not so pleasant. 

In this episode you have it all. A rich gentlemen, his prostitute companion, jewels, swindling, lawyers and politicians...and murder! This is story that is cut right out of the headlines in 1877 and is one of the most famous murders in Texas history. Hope ya'll enjoy!

Gail Borden...yes the milk man, but so much more. He was not born in Texas, but what he did for Texas is simply unbelievable. He was a farmer, surveyor, revolutionist, publisher, collector, agent, inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. And yet, this does not even come close to scratching the surface. This was a request from one of our listeners and we are so happy that he turned us on to this great Texan.

Howard Edward Butt transforms a successful small family business into a true Texas staple. This is the story of the meteoric rise of a local company, but also one that prides itself in doing good in the local community. They can't all be H-E-B, but we'd all be better if they were.

For all of you watching the Yellowstone prequel, 1883, we believe you will find this episode timely and interesting. This one jumped up in our list of ones we wanted to do, because we wanted to learn more about it since we are watching the show. This is a crazy, rowdy, fun, dangerous and tragic topic to cover. There is alot hear, so we hope you find it entertaining and maybe learn a thing a two. 

We have it all in this episode. As we approach Christmas, we discuss a true Texas miracle. Imagine natives that have never known Christianity until they meet a nun dressed in blue that comes to them out of know where. Imagine 2000 of them asking to be baptized and now imagine that when she leaves, blue bonnets appear for the first time in Texas. Come on!!! You gotta be intrigued by this story.

In this episode, we discuss the history of the Camino Real de los Tejas. As you learn about this thoroughfare, you realize it's undeniable importance to the people that have always lived in Texas. Its a very large subject to cover, but we keep it high-level and fun. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we discuss the origins of the rodeo in Tejas. It is a story rooted deep in our history. It is tough to separate this story from our lineage. It seems all intertwined. We sincerely hope that you enjoy this Texas Tale as much as we enjoyed discovering and telling it.

In this episode we break down the Columbia space shuttle explosion over Texas and the incredible response by our fellow Texans. This was truly a tragic event, but really brought the best out in everyone.  Hats off to NASA and hats off to all ya'll!

Leave it up to Texans to beat the hell out of their opponent only to find themselves behind enemy lines. It takes the most unlikely of people to come to their aid. In this episode we tell a tall tale about honorary Texans that saved our Texas boys.

Who knew the path to freedom was south rather than north? In this episode we uncover how slaves in Texas participated in the Underground Railroad. This was a very eye opening subject for us and one that we believe is worth a listen. Hope you enjoy!

Fall is in the air and the undeniable truth that Halloween is just around the corner. As we enter into the spooky and scary season, we thought we would do podcasts that frankly give us the heebee jeebees.In this episode, we take you on a tour of Texas....to visit all the places that could potentially scare the hell out of you. You have ghosts, demons, shape shifters and even satyrs. This is our last episode before Halloween and we hope that you have enjoyed the walk down spooky lane with us. Make sure your parents check your candy before your eat it.

Fall is in the air and the undeniable truth that Halloween is just around the corner. As we enter into the spooky and scary season, we thought we would do podcasts that frankly give us the heebee jeebees.The Grove is consistently ranked one of the most haunted places in Texas and the U.S. Not to mention, Jefferson is considered one of the most haunted towns. In this episode we cover the ghostly beings that haunt the place and the history of their mortal selves. We hope you really enjoy this one as much as we did. Be safe out there...it's spooky season.

Fall is in the air and the undeniable truth that Halloween is just around the corner. As we enter into the spooky and scary season, we thought we would do podcasts that frankly give us the heebee jeebees.In the 1940's the town of Texarkana was scared out of their minds. A serial killer was on the loose preying on their youth. This sicko was never caught and the memory still lingers in the minds of the town's citizens today.

Fall is in the air and the undeniable truth that Halloween is just around the corner. As we enter into the spooky and scary season, we thought we would do podcasts that frankly just give us the heebee jeebees. As you drive through one of the most beautiful landscapes in Texas, it is hard recon with the fact that so many horrific events have taken place there.  It seems at times, that the spirits of the dead have never left. Explore with us Devil's Backbone. One of the most haunted places in Texas. Beautiful by day. Scary as hell by night. 

Fall is in the air and the undeniable truth that Halloween is just around the corner. As we enter into the spooky and scary season, we thought we would do podcasts that frankly just give us the heebee jeebees. So why not kick off with a bit of mass murder? This story is about a real bad guy that preys on travelers between New Orleans and San Antonio in the early 1800's. I can't imagine what could be worse than the story that unfolds in this episode. We hope you enjoy this little known Texas history....and take care of yourselves out there. 

These guys were unbelievable. Left Texas and fought under General Robert E Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. They participated in an unbelievable amount of the battles that decided the fate of America.  They found themselves at the center of the successes the Confederate States of America had early and were present at their ultimate defeat. No matter how we judge their cause today, they truly are legendary. 

In our latest episode, we discuss the history of the Texas Longhorn. Not just Texas history, but global lineage. This is a really interesting subject that highlights how this incredible animal evolved to the Texas icon the world knows today.

In this episode we discuss the history of the creamery that is known to have "the best ice cream in the country" and the family behind it. We will cover their ups and downs and why in 2015 they almost shut down the company. Listen to learn a bit and laugh alot. 

In this episode we discuss the origins of Cinco de Mayo and the impact (beyond a day to drink) on Texas and the U.S.A. An ordinary boy born in Goliad, from a family steep in Texas lore rises to general of the Mexican army and defeats not only Santa Ana, but Napoleon III. You can't make this stuff up. Grab a drink and have fun with this one!

In this episode we review our favorite episodes from the first season and why we loved them so much. We hope that this is a great way to kick off season 2. Hope you enjoy this quick look back, before we venture forward.

In this episode we discuss the little know Archive War. This was the battle that decided ultimately if Houston or Austin would be the state capital. We discuss the two main power players (Sam Houston / Houston and Mirabeau Lamar / Austin) that are working relentlessly to secure the most important Texas documents and where they would ultimately reside. Guess who wins?

In this episode we discuss a tragic event in Texas history. The New London school explosion was the third most deadly event in our history.  An entire town was faced to respond, mourn and cope with this horrific accident that killed hundred of students and teachers in a very tight knit community.

In this episode we uncover the story of the flying WASPs and their unbelievable story of bravery, service to our country and the lack of recognition they received by our government.

In this episode we walk the list of the most notorious serial killers to ever step foot in Texas. If you are into this type of stuff, you will probably love it. 

Not sure what you know about not only the Texas Navy. Well... we surprised ourselves with how little we actually knew. It wasn't always great times for our guys offshore, but they definitely played a major part in our celebrated history. Hope you learn as much as we did.

In this episode we attempt to understand how the Comancheros and their dealings with the New Mexico government and the U.S. government led to years of war between the Texicans and those fierce fighters, raiders and thieves known as the Comanche.

This episode is as tasty as they come. Go grab a bag full of taquitos and listen to us discuss everything Whataburger.

Why don't they teach us about this person in Texas history? She was an amazing lady. Love her or hate her...you will appreciate the story. Cheers friends!

Texas is the most recognizable state in the nation...err the World. In this episode we discuss why they are where they are.

In this episode we discuss why and how The University of Texas is so crazy wealthy. We'll give you a hint....oil!

In this episode we chat about how Texas is friendly to inventors. A lot of great things have come from Texas and we have left our mark on this world. Come join us for a really fun topic and conversation!

We drink our way through this episode with Dr. Pepper and rum drinks. Had a great time uncovering the native Texas carbonated beverage from it's origins all the way through present day. Hope you enjoy this one half as much as we enjoyed doing it.

In this episode, we drink our way through many of the states laws that are down right funny. Why were these ever laws? Why don't we still enforce some of these and what actually happens if you get caught milking another man's cow?

In this episode we dive deep into a dark period in Texas history. What happens when a mob takes actions into their own hands? An event most call the Gainesville Hangings. We will refer to them as lynchings.

All across this great state, barbecue is celebrated. In this episode we highlight many of the best bbq experiences and how it came to be. We hope this episode makes you crave some of your own tasty experiences.

Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Fats Domino, Stevie Ray Vaughn and many many others played at the Cotton Club in Lubbock over the years. What an amazing place this must have been during its hay day!