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10 episodes with Fort Davis
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2 episodes with Fort Davis
Join McDonald Observatory Monday through Saturday, April 21-26, for the Dark Skies Festival. In addition to the observatory's regular public programs, the festival will include special talks, tours, Star Parties, and more. Events will be held at McDonald Observatory and locations throughout Fort Davis, Alpine, Marfa, and Terlingua. McDonald Observatory Visitors Center will offer free general admission all week from noon to 5 p.m. For information including a detailed list of events, visit mcdonaldobservatory.org/dark-skies-festival.Article Link
Heather and Chris talk about Spring Break 2025 in Alpine and the Big Bend. Want to know about a beautiful mountain hike that's not likely to be crowded? Want to know which entrance to Big Bend National Park will probably have a shorter line? We'll survey the things to do in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis, Terlingua and area parks along with some tips to help make your trip safe and fun while avoiding frustrations!
This week, we're bringing you a Texas-sized interview with James Smith from Château Wright in Fort Davis, Texas! Along the way, we take an unexpected detour to Mexico before diving into James' fascinating wine adventures and the exciting buzz around the Texas wine scene. As first-timers to Texas wine, we were caught off guard—in the best way—by the magic coming out of these bottles. And, of course, we're keeping things fun with another round of PiNope or ChardonnYay. Tune in for plenty of laughs, some surprising discoveries, and a deep pour of Texas wine goodness. Show Notes: Visit the Château Wright website: https://chateauwright.com/ Follow Château Wright on Instagram: @chateauwright Follow James on Instagram @iamjamesrsmithtoo Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! stopwastingyourwine.com Instagram YouTube
Weekly Update - Highlighting the Annual Leadership Retreat and a Special Introduction to Father James Brzezinski In this week's update for the third week of Epiphany 2025, we are introduced to Father James Brzezinski, the new rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Additionally, the episode covers the recent annual Leadership Retreat of the Diocese, held at Prude Ranch in Fort Davis, Texas, with visits to local churches and organizations. Key topics include the challenges faced by Border Patrol agents, the concept of Migration with Dignity, (Tool kit here: https://bit.ly/40mSZxr ) and the Oxford Movement's influence on contemporary church practices. Don't miss a detailed dive into the traditions and activities at seminaries like Nashota House, explaining the significance of Anglican vestments, worship practices, and the importance of bringing Christ to the community. 00:00 Weekly Update Introduction 00:32 Diocesan Leadership Retreat Recap 01:08 Exploring the Big Bend 04:09 Migration with Dignity Week 05:22 Meet Father James Brzezinski 06:08 Life at Nashota House Seminary 22:45 High Church vs. Low Church 26:59 The Oxford Movement and Clerical Attire 35:12 Unity in Diversity
Day 1:We drove from Wichita Falls to Monahans Sandhills State Park. We spent about 2 hours in the park hiking and sledding down sandhills. This park is very small, and you can rent sleds at the Visitor Center for $6 per sled per day.They do have camping at this park, but we chose to continue on to Balmorhea State Park. The campgrounds there have been recently renovated, and the facility was amazing. We got there right before dark and took a quick dip in the pool— we had the place all to ourselves! The water stays around 74-76 degrees year-round, so it wasn't too cold. Be sure to bring towels because, as soon as we got out, it was quite nippy! The park was at full capacity, so plan ahead and book your site before you get there.Day 2:We woke up early and headed out to spend time in Marfa before driving into Terlingua. We drove through Fort Davis before getting to Marfa, and we could have easily spent more time there. The Davis Mountains are beautiful, and we plan to make a return trip!We took our sweet time, with no agenda except checking into our rental. It was a barn with three rooms that we rented out. We met my parents, two siblings, their spouses, and kids there. They each got a room, while I slept in the van with one of the girls. The other two girls slept on the couches in the common room to have more space.We were able to hike around the property, visit the ghost town, and check out some of the old mine spots. We also enjoyed looking at all the amazing rocks, ocotillo, and cactus.Day 3:We decided to wake up early (ish) and get a good breakfast in our bellies before heading into the park. We went to the Chisos Basin portion of Big Bend National Park to hike the Window Trail. It's about an hour and a half from Terlingua to this part of the park. This trail is a great option for families with small children and adults. There were 7 adults and 9 kids in our group. The 2-year-olds were in backpack carriers, and the others, aged 4 and up, hiked themselves. The trail is about 4.5 miles in total, and it took us around 2 hours to complete. We didn't rush and took our time, letting the kids climb on rocks along the way. It definitely could be done faster, but we enjoyed a leisurely pace.After finishing the hike, we all ate lunch and then headed to the Hot Springs, which is about a 45-minute drive (give or take). The last mile or two before you can park is very narrow, and parking is limited, but we got lucky and found spots for all three of our vehicles. The Hot Springs Trail is short and easy. I highly recommend visiting this spot when you're in Big Bend! The hot springs water stays around 105°F, and it's a small pool area where you can sit and soak. The Rio Grande runs right next to the hot spring, so it was fun to warm up in the spring and then dip into the chilly river! We spent about an hour there before driving back to Terlingua, which took about an hour. We arrived back at our home away from home around 4:30 PM.We had planned our meals ahead of time, and all but one were crockpot meals, which worked perfectly since we had a hot meal waiting for us after a long day of hiking.Day 4:We decided to hike the Mule Ears Spring Trail, a short, 2-mile trail that's an easier hike. This trail is in full sun, not in the Chisos with trees, so make sure to wear long sleeves, bring a hat, and apply sunscreen! At the end (or halfway through) this trail, there is a tiny spring of water flowing out of the rocks, surrounded by green ferns. It was beautiful and very surprising, considering the entire hike is through desert cacti and rocks. I highly recommend it!A few kids were on "breakdown mode" for part of the trail, so it took a bit longer, but we weren't in a rush. Next, we drove to Santa Elena Canyon, which is an iconic and breathtaking location in the park. The canyon is so grand and beautiful that it's hard to describe its beauty. The trail is easy, and most of our group completed it. While we were there, we also saw a pack of wild horses grazing near the river, which was pretty cool!Afterward, we took the highway out of the park to return to Terlingua, but you can also take a “shortcut” down Old Maverick Road, an 11-mile stretch of bumpy dirt roads. Two of the three cars in our group took the dirt road, while my parents, kids, and I drove the longer but smoother highway. We all arrived back at our place within 5-10 minutes of each other, so it wasn't much of a difference!Day 5:Everyone was ready for a more relaxed day since it was our last full day in West Texas. We decided to visit Big Bend Ranch State Park to hike the Closed Canyon Trail. The road from Terlingua the state park is a scenic, beautiful highway that runs alongside the Rio Grande. The Closed Canyon Trail is short, easy, and stunning! You do need to stop at the visitor center to get your permit before entering the park.We had lunch at the end of the trail in a shady spot before heading back to the house. In the afternoon, half of our group went on another adventure near our property, while the other half went shopping and grabbed a margarita at the Star Light Theatre. We never ate at the Star Light, but here's a tip: get there early if you want a spot! The line starts forming at 3 PM, and the restaurant opens at 5 PM. The Cantina opens at 4 PM. We tried the frozen prickly pear margaritas, and they were delicious!We let the kids explore the store, and each of them picked out a souvenir. Then we walked to the Terlingua Cemetery, which turned out to be a very special experience. The kids loved reading the tombstones, and if a grave didn't have one, they would talk about who it could be and what might have happened to them. It was unexpected but really beautiful to see the empathy and compassion the kids showed for the people there.I highly recommend getting a map of the Terlingua Ghost Town and exploring the old buildings, school, and church to learn more about this small mining town.Final Thoughts:West Texas is vast and wide open, with many miles between towns and not much that's convenient, so you'll need to plan ahead. Fuel up whenever you can, especially in Alpine or Marathon, depending on which side of Big Bend you're entering from. You'll also want to plan your meals and pack food well. We cooked every breakfast and dinner and brought snacks and sandwiches for lunch while hiking.Also, bring plenty of water!I'm sure I left a lot out of this summary of our Far West Texas trip, but the main takeaway is that it's beautiful. It's one of the most majestic areas I've been to. I love the lack of cell service and the bright, starry skies—so amazing to see! The area has very little light pollution, so be sure to plan to stargaze while you're there. I would love to know if you've been or if you plan to go way out west. I've designed a new collection around this trip and it will launch late January to early February. Chat soon!
Chris talks with Fort Davis NHS Chief of Interpretation Chelsea Rios and Blackwell School NHS Visual Information Specialist Tori Villareal about these two flagship destinations in the Big Bend region. When can you see Fort Davis in all the trappings of a Victorian Christmas? What are the latest developments at Blackwell, one of the nation's newest National Park Service units? Listen and find out!!!
Chris talks with Brian Carrico and Collin Bibb of Byways Hospitality about the status of their ambitious plans for the Holland Hotel, the Maverick Inn, and Fort Davis's Hotel Limpia. In particular, the Holland has a long history as a central landmark and community hub for downtown Alpine. The project has involved acquiring both state and national historic designations and working from the hotel's original design drawings to ensure that the planned improvements are true to the original vision of architects Trost & Trost! All of the hotels remain open for reservations: https://www.thehollandhoteltexas.com/ https://www.themaverickinn.com/
Chris talks with Viva Big Bend founder and organizer Stewart Ramser about the 2024 music festival taking place July 24-28 with over 65 shows at 19 venues in Alpine, Marfa, Marathon, Terlingua, Presidio and Fort Davis! https://vivabigbend.com/
April 19-20 is the 2024 Spirits of the West Wine & Beef Festival (https://www.spiritsfestwtx.com/), so Chris is talking with Director Lance Johnson and Event Coordinator Krista Kirkland, as well as James Smith of the Chateau Wright Winery in Fort Davis! Spirits of the West brings to Alpine two days of superlative food, drink, and live music!
Today is our first episode with a repeat guest! The one and only Katie Beal Brown is back on the show and we're talking all about creating a strong brand identity. We're diving into the importance of knowing your audience, the power of storytelling, and the opportunities and challenges that come with being the face of your brand. Katie Beal Brown is a fourth-generation West Texan, born and raised in Midland, TX. Growing up, some of her fondest memories were from the time spent with her grandparents out on their family's ranch in Far West Texas near Fort Davis. Katie attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where she met her future husband, Tyler Brown, a Houston native and seventh-generation Texan. Katie and Tyler Brown married in her hometown of Midland in 2013 and immediately moved to New York, NY where he had an opportunity in private equity real estate and she continued to grow her career in advertising. With years of experience at industry-leading agencies, she set out on a new venture to build her own brand, Lone River, celebrating her roots in West Texas. Lone River pioneered the tequila-style hard seltzer category with its introduction of Lone River Ranch Water and more recently Lone River Ranch Rita. After less than a year of record sales, Lone River Beverage Company was purchased by Diageo, one of the world's largest producers of spirits and beers including world class brands like Casamigos, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness and more. Lone River now leads the tequila-style seltzer category as the #1 Ranch Water in the U.S. Katie continues to lead the business on a day-to-day basis, as CEO of the brand and works closely with Diageo leadership to build further on Lone River's success. Resources & Links: Episode 6: The Importance of Taking Risks with Ranch Water Founder, Katie Beal Brown How Brands Grow book Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Join the Of The West Email List List your jobs on Of The West Connect with Katie: Follow on Instagram @katiebealbrown and @ranchwater Check out their website Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris talks with Fort Davis NHS Superintendent David Larson about the history of Fort Davis and its impact on the surrounding region. They also discuss the changes in concepts and best practices of historic preservation between 1961, when the Fort became a National Historic Site, and today.
On today's episode, I am joined by Katie Beal Brown, the founder and CEO of Lone River Beverage Company. We're talking all about the importance of taking risks, how changing your perspective mitigates your fear of risk, and how the personal growth process is far more important than achieving your goal. Katie Beal Brown is a fourth-generation West Texan, born and raised in Midland, TX. Growing up, some of her fondest memories were from the time spent with her grandparents out on their family's ranch in Far West Texas near Fort Davis. Katie attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where she met her future husband, Tyler Brown, a Houston native and seventh-generation Texan. Katie and Tyler Brown married in her hometown of Midland in 2013 and immediately moved to New York, NY where he had an opportunity in private equity real estate and she continued to grow her career in advertising. With years of experience at industry-leading agencies, she set out on a new venture to build her own brand, Lone River, celebrating her roots in West Texas. Lone River pioneered the tequila-style hard seltzer category with its introduction of Lone River Ranch Water and more recently Lone River Ranch Rita. After less than a year of record sales, Lone River Beverage Company was purchased by Diageo, one of the world's largest producers of spirits and beers including world class brands like Casamigos, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness and more. Lone River now leads the tequila-style seltzer category as the #1 Ranch Water in the U.S. Katie continues to lead the business on a day-to-day basis, as CEO of the brand and works closely with Diageo leadership to build further on Lone River's success. Resources & Links: Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Join the Of The West Email List List your jobs on Of The West Connect with Katie: Follow on Instagram @katiebealbrown and @ranchwater Check out their website Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode!
Chris talks with Stewart Ramser, founder of the Viva Big Bend music festival (https://vivabigbend.com), about plans for the 2023 event, held July 26-30 in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon, Terlingua and Presidio. Then Chris talks with Scrappy Jud Newcomb about his 34 years as a professional musician and his upcoming showcase at Planet Marfa on Saturday, July 29.
Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine In the NewsVinePair: 10 American Wine Regions That Deserve More RecognitionVinePair: The 30 Best Rosé Wines of 2023TEXSOM Awards ResultsWine Enthusiast: If You Like Pinot Grigio, Try Picpoul.Decanter: Picpoul makes a splash in AmericaTexas Wine Club Wine Experiences in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and HyeTeas Wine Club discount code: use code THISISTEXASWINE to get $100 off your first shipment!Get the scoop on FlavoryTX, an educational non-profit focused on Texas food and beverage.Interview with Dan and Maura SharpSharp Family Vineyards / The Vineyard at Blue MountainSpecial ThanksThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!
Today we have a special guest coming to us all the way from Texas! On this episode, Katie Beal Brown shares her journey and advice of building a brand that celebrates your roots.Katie Beal Brown is a fourth-generation West Texan, born and raised in Midland, TX. Growing up, some of her fondest memories were from the time spent with her grandparents out on their family's ranch in Far West Texas near Fort Davis. With years of experience at industry-leading agencies, she set out on a new venture to build her own brand, Lone River, celebrating her roots in West Texas. Lone River pioneered the tequila-style hard seltzer category with its introduction of Lone River Ranch Water and more recently Lone River Ranch Rita. Lone River now leads the tequila-style seltzer category as the #1 Ranch Water in the U.S. Katie continues to lead the business on a day-to-day basis, as CEO of the brand and works closely with Diageo leadership to build further on Lone River's success.In this episode, we'll chat about:The story of her pivot from working in advertising in New York to moving back to Texas to launch an entire brand and journey Measuring success by how far we've come and what we've already accomplished instead of what's yet to comeAs an entrepreneur, having to get comfortable making decisions with an element of unknownThe power of a brand and having a story behind it to tell Finding ourselves right where we're at and focusing on belonging instead of fitting inResources & Links:The Gap and the Gain by Dr. Benjamin Hardy & Dan Sullivan [affiliate link]Learn more about partnering with me as a speakerInquire about advertising on the Climbing with Coach Kiah podcastCheck out the Backroad Cowgirls site!Shop the Coach Kiah Store. Use code climb10 for 10% off your first purchase!Download a FREE Habit TrackerConnect with Katie: On Instagram @ranchwaterOn Instagram @katiebealbrownConnect with Kiah: Follow on Instagram @coach_kiah and FacebookSign up for my email newsletter!Check out my websiteSome of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.Make sure to hit subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes. If you like what you heard, take a moment to leave a 5-star review!Find the complete show notes here: https://www.coachkiah.com/blog/building-a-brand-that-celebrates-your-roots-with-katie-beal-brown
In this episode, we talk with Jeff Davis County Judge Curtis Evans about growing up in Far West Texas, his passion for horses and roping, and the real star of the courthouse in Fort Davis, his dog Lou.
Members of the Poth High School cross-country team, coached by Joe McKinney and Terry Mosely, attended the Run Across Texas camp where they joined over 200 athletes from across the state. Runners started at South Lake Carroll, proceeded to Abilene by vans, ran the dunes at Monahans, then traveled to Fort Davis where they camped at Crows Nest Ranch for six days. The athletes ran over 7,600 miles combined and gained knowledge about hard work, the determination to never quit, and teamwork. Coach Xavier Rodriguez, originally from Poth, also provided a great deal of support to the athletes, in addition...Article Link
Chris and Heather talk with Viva Big Bend music festival organizer Stewart Ramser and Doodlin' Hogwallops vocalist and bassist Neil Trammell. Viva Big Bend is a music festival held the last weekend of July and featuring almost 70 live shows at 18 venues in 5 communities (Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon and Terlingua).
BlackFacts.com presents the black fact of the day for June 15.Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.He was born into slavery in Thomasville, Georgia, the eldest of five brothers. His mother, Isabelle Flipper, and his father, Festus Flipper, a shoemaker, and carriage-trimmer were owned by Ephraim G. Ponder, a wealthy slave dealer.Flipper attended Atlanta University during Reconstruction. There, as a freshman, Representative James C. Freeman appointed him to attend West Point, where four other black cadets were already attending. The small group had a difficult time at the academy, where they were rejected by white students.Nevertheless, Flipper persevered, and in 1877, became the first of the group to graduate, earning a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army cavalry.He was assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, one of the four all-black "buffalo soldier" regiments in the Army, and became the first black officer to command regular troops in the U.S. Army.In 1881, while serving at Fort Davis, Flipper's commanding officer accused him of embezzling $3,791.77 from commissary funds.. A court-martial found him not guilty of embezzlement but convicted him of conduct unbecoming an officer and ordered him dismissed from the Army.In 1976, the Army granted him an honorable discharge, and in 1999, President Bill Clinton issued him a full pardon.After his discharge was changed, a bust of Flipper was unveiled at West Point. Since then, an annual Henry O. Flipper Award has been granted to graduating cadets at the academy who exhibit "leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties.Learn black history, teach black history at blackfacts.com
Chris talks with four members of the Chihuahuan Desert Gem and Mineral Club about the booths, displays, demonstrations and more that visitors will find at the annual Alpine Gem & Mineral Show in mid-April. We also talk about the history of rock collecting in the Big Bend, the region's distinctive agates, rock hunting trips in the area and the small rock shops in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis and Balmorhea.
A little bit of west Texas in this episode! West Texas may feel like it's barren, but once you dissect the area more, you'll learn its filled with amazing life and wonder. There are two places that I really enjoyed: The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center just outside of Fort Davis, and south of there at Seminole Canyon State Park. Learn about what to expect at this two amazing destinations. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thetexastrailhead/support
Chris and Heather talk with Melissa Henderson, Director of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce, about Alpine's picturesque neighbor to the north. We discuss history, stars, science, shopping and more!
July 2, 1954. Colonel Harris' daughter tries to get to Fort Davis. But Blackhawk is on the warpath.
Michael Shawn shares the music and personality of Canadian-born artist Ed Roman, while Michael Shawn's Campfire revisits what is told as a true tale of the early days of a remote Texas fort known as Fort Davis.
In this first episode of our podcast about visiting Alpine and the Big Bend region, Chris, Heather and Erik discuss some of the things that make Alpine a great place to visit: the weekly Midweek Mercantile & Music street fair; beautiful Spring weather and stunning dark night skies; and upcoming events like the 4th of July celebrations in Alpine and Fort Davis and the Viva Big bend music festival.
Show #268. Author Karen Hulene Bartell chats with Bobbi Jean about her newest title Wild Rose Pass. Set in the military base of Fort Davis, Texas in the late 1870's. Karen shares some of the challenges she faced writing her first historical fiction novel including 5 years of research to get the setting, action, and characters true to the time period. Tune in to hear one of the most creative solutions to writer's block we've heard to date!
For the second in our Big Bend National Park series, Danielle chats with Courtney Lyons-Garcia, executive director of Big Bend Conservancy, a major advocate for the park. From scenic drives to family-friendly hikes, and fossil experiences Courtney shares practical tips and activities suited to every kind of traveller Discussion includes the following: [00:02] Introduction: HelloRanger [02:22] Guardians of Big Bend National Park: Courtney Lyons Garcia and Big Bend Conservancy [03:15] Getting acquainted with Big Bend: An overview of the park and its conservancy [05:35] Getting to the park: Interstate travel, suggestions for East and West Coast visitors [09:03] Stocking up: Advice on retail options and supporting special dietary needs [10:53] Best times of year to visit Big Bend [13:21] Seasonal explorations [16:28] An itinerary overview [17:51] Perfect pairs: Suggestions for combining Big Bend with other areas of interest Big Bend State Park, Balmorhea State Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Del Rio, Fort Davis [19:34} Do, see & learn - River District: Rio Grande Village Visitors Center, Nature Walk, Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, Boquillas Village, Mexico, Ernst Tinaja Primitive Roadside Campsite, Hot Springs Historic Trail [23:05] Do, see & learn - Dinosaurs & Desert District: Fossil Discovery Exhibit, Grapevine Hills Trail [26:27] Do. See. Learn - Mountain District: Window Trail, South Rim Trail, Emory Peak Trail/The Pinnacles, Lost Mine Trail [28:01] Spotting the bears of Big Bend: Pine Canyon Trail [28:43] More To Explore: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Castolon Historic District, Santa Elena Canyon Trail, The Blue Creek/Horner Wilson Ranch [30:27] Big Bend Accessibility [31:53] More outdoor fun: River rafting with Big Bend’s preferred concessionaire Far Flung Outdoor Center, DIY paddleboard and canoe considerations [34:58] An artists’ paradise [35:25] Stargazing: Big Bend’s Night Skies program [37:41] Lodging suggestions: Front country camping, Chisos Mountains Lodge. RV sites, Stillwell Ranch camping & RV sites [41:06] Lodging suggestions: Backcountry camping reservations [41:16] Courntey’s favorite park memory For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. NOTE: DUE TO COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS, BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK WAS CLOSED AT TIME OF RECORDING THIS EPISODE. PLEASE CHECK NPS WEBSITE FOR UPDATES. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
Today we're talking about the armed hostage situation involving an innocent Fort Davis couple back in the '90s. Sources: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1E036sYcm_jeUS18IT60pdOvlq2fmnJuYmR4dmPtpDR4 Twitter: @texlatruecrime Instagram: @texlatruecrimepod Facebook: Lisa Texla Email: texlatruecrimepod@gmail.com Support: http://paypal.me/texlatruecrime
Breakfast Burritos and Conversation at Jett's Grill in Marfa, Texas Featuring Special Guest: Mike Murphy Today’s podcast guest made some of the best calzones I have ever tasted. When Mike Murphy opened Murphy’s Pizzeria in Fort Davis, Texas in 2001, I became an instant fan. And Mike and I became friends. On a recent trip to West Texas, Mike and I met for breakfast burritos at Jett’s Grill located in the charming, historic Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas. What followed was true table talk as we conversed about some of the ways God has showed up in Mike’s journey and Mike’s ever-increasing appetite for God’s Holy Word – the Bible. Grab a burrito and join us – I recommend the ones with long green chiles and Asadero cheese. We saved you a seat.
A family road trip and I get to take the bike along to get some saddle time. I explore El Paso and Fort Davis. Desert Fox Cyclery in El Paso extends some hospitality and an interview with owner-manager Esteban Duran. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: El Paso Hueco Tanks El Paso Big Loop El Paso Crazy 8 Fort Davis to McDonald Observatory Desert Fox Cyclery --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dropbartexas/message
Recently, an Austin Filmmaker by the name of Anne Rapp, who is currently producing a documentary about Horton Foote, visited the Taylor residence in Fort Davis. Foote, a Pulitzer prize-winning playwright and Screenwriter, based most of his plays and films off people who lived in Wharton, Texas - a sleepy, cotton-planting town on the Colorado River near Houston, that he called home. Wharton also just so happens to be the hometown of Lonn's grandmother ; On this edition of The Rambling Boy, Lonn explores Foote's tall tales of Wharton. Hosted by for KRTS
Rachel Maxwell of Alpine wants to know what the highest level of education the Burro Lady achieved was. Harry Hudson of Dallas wants to know how Mrs. Kerr of Fort Stockton's marriage proposal related to rainfall. Gretchen Coles of Marfa wonders what route Old Ft. Davis Road followed from Marfa to Fort Davis when it was built -- according to her plat map, it included the street she lives on. Phoenix Navidson of Marfa is curious about why there are so many old gas stations in town.
Rachel Maxwell of Alpine wants to know what the highest level of education the Burro Lady achieved was. Harry Hudson of Dallas wants to know how Mrs. Kerr of Fort Stockton's marriage proposal related to rainfall. Gretchen Coles of Marfa wonders what route Old Ft. Davis Road followed from Marfa to Fort Davis when it was built -- according to her plat map, it included the street she lives on. Phoenix Navidson of Marfa is curious about why there are so many old gas stations in town. On this episode of The Rambling Boy, Lonn teams up with Marfa Public Radio's Sally Beauvais to answer some more of our listeners questions about esoteric regional history. These questions came to us via West... Hosted by for KRTS
There's no denying it -- Classical Midday host and longtime Fort Davis resident Roseland Klein is in great shape. Roseland, lovingly known as the matriarch of Marfa Public Radio, is celebrating her 90th birthday on Saturday, December 8th. And like many of us at the station, listener Nicki Ittner is curious about how she does it. She asked: What kind of yoga does Roseland Klein do and how often? Does she have the secrets to life in her yoga practice? Play the audio to find out. Have a question about people, places, or things in West Texas that you'd like Marfa Public Radio to investigate? Ask here: Hosted by for KRTS
For twenty years, the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Davis blazed trails for African Americans as the U.S. Army's first peacetime regiments of black troops.
John Heiner - Chief of Interpretation, and travel writer Eva Eldridge, discuss Fort Davis National Historic Site in West Texas, one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. www.NPS.gov/foda
The remarkable story of Henry Ossian Flipper, a young man born into slavery on the eve of the Civil War, and his struggle for recognition left its mark on our nations history. Through extensive research of military documents, court records, appeals, and from Flippers personal journals and published papers, Henry Ossian Flipper: West Point’s First Black Graduate (Wild Horse Press, 2015) captures the sum and substance of a nation torn apart by political ambitions and extreme prejudices and reveals the uncertainty of acceptance and intolerance of blacks in America following Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1878, Flipper seemed destined for a long military career. Four years later, he was on trial at Fort Davis, Texas, for embezzlement of government funds and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. But his journey through the West did not end in West Texas, it was only the beginning. Before Flipper’s life was over his adventures would take him through Mexico, South America, and Arizona. It was on that journey that he found fame and redemption. Historian and author Jane Eppinga is a legendary Arizona writer. Her writing credentials include more than 300 articles for both popular and professional publications covering a broad spectrum of subjects including children’s fiction, travel, personal profiles, biology, construction, food, and public relation pieces. A long-time resident of Arizona and a graduate of the University of Arizona, Eppinga is a member of Western Writers of America, Southern Arizona Authors, the National Federation of Press Women, and serves on the board of directors of Arizona Press Women. In addition to Henry Ossian Flipper: West Points’ First Black Graduate, Jane Eppinga has written on many diverse topics concerning the American West. Unsolved Arizona, La Malinche, Black Heroes: America’s Buffalo Soldiers, and They Made Their Mark: an Illustrated History of the Society of Woman Geographers are some of her more recent works. Her articles have also often appeared in Wild West Magazine and Persimmon Hill, the official publication of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. James Stancil is an independent scholar, freelance journalist, and the President and CEO of Intellect U Well, Inc. a Houston-area non-profit dedicated to increasing the joy of reading and media literacy in young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The remarkable story of Henry Ossian Flipper, a young man born into slavery on the eve of the Civil War, and his struggle for recognition left its mark on our nations history. Through extensive research of military documents, court records, appeals, and from Flippers personal journals and published papers, Henry Ossian Flipper: West Point’s First Black Graduate (Wild Horse Press, 2015) captures the sum and substance of a nation torn apart by political ambitions and extreme prejudices and reveals the uncertainty of acceptance and intolerance of blacks in America following Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1878, Flipper seemed destined for a long military career. Four years later, he was on trial at Fort Davis, Texas, for embezzlement of government funds and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. But his journey through the West did not end in West Texas, it was only the beginning. Before Flipper’s life was over his adventures would take him through Mexico, South America, and Arizona. It was on that journey that he found fame and redemption. Historian and author Jane Eppinga is a legendary Arizona writer. Her writing credentials include more than 300 articles for both popular and professional publications covering a broad spectrum of subjects including children’s fiction, travel, personal profiles, biology, construction, food, and public relation pieces. A long-time resident of Arizona and a graduate of the University of Arizona, Eppinga is a member of Western Writers of America, Southern Arizona Authors, the National Federation of Press Women, and serves on the board of directors of Arizona Press Women. In addition to Henry Ossian Flipper: West Points’ First Black Graduate, Jane Eppinga has written on many diverse topics concerning the American West. Unsolved Arizona, La Malinche, Black Heroes: America’s Buffalo Soldiers, and They Made Their Mark: an Illustrated History of the Society of Woman Geographers are some of her more recent works. Her articles have also often appeared in Wild West Magazine and Persimmon Hill, the official publication of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. James Stancil is an independent scholar, freelance journalist, and the President and CEO of Intellect U Well, Inc. a Houston-area non-profit dedicated to increasing the joy of reading and media literacy in young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The remarkable story of Henry Ossian Flipper, a young man born into slavery on the eve of the Civil War, and his struggle for recognition left its mark on our nations history. Through extensive research of military documents, court records, appeals, and from Flippers personal journals and published papers, Henry Ossian Flipper: West Point’s First Black Graduate (Wild Horse Press, 2015) captures the sum and substance of a nation torn apart by political ambitions and extreme prejudices and reveals the uncertainty of acceptance and intolerance of blacks in America following Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1878, Flipper seemed destined for a long military career. Four years later, he was on trial at Fort Davis, Texas, for embezzlement of government funds and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. But his journey through the West did not end in West Texas, it was only the beginning. Before Flipper’s life was over his adventures would take him through Mexico, South America, and Arizona. It was on that journey that he found fame and redemption. Historian and author Jane Eppinga is a legendary Arizona writer. Her writing credentials include more than 300 articles for both popular and professional publications covering a broad spectrum of subjects including children’s fiction, travel, personal profiles, biology, construction, food, and public relation pieces. A long-time resident of Arizona and a graduate of the University of Arizona, Eppinga is a member of Western Writers of America, Southern Arizona Authors, the National Federation of Press Women, and serves on the board of directors of Arizona Press Women. In addition to Henry Ossian Flipper: West Points’ First Black Graduate, Jane Eppinga has written on many diverse topics concerning the American West. Unsolved Arizona, La Malinche, Black Heroes: America’s Buffalo Soldiers, and They Made Their Mark: an Illustrated History of the Society of Woman Geographers are some of her more recent works. Her articles have also often appeared in Wild West Magazine and Persimmon Hill, the official publication of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. James Stancil is an independent scholar, freelance journalist, and the President and CEO of Intellect U Well, Inc. a Houston-area non-profit dedicated to increasing the joy of reading and media literacy in young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The remarkable story of Henry Ossian Flipper, a young man born into slavery on the eve of the Civil War, and his struggle for recognition left its mark on our nations history. Through extensive research of military documents, court records, appeals, and from Flippers personal journals and published papers, Henry Ossian Flipper: West Point’s First Black Graduate (Wild Horse Press, 2015) captures the sum and substance of a nation torn apart by political ambitions and extreme prejudices and reveals the uncertainty of acceptance and intolerance of blacks in America following Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1878, Flipper seemed destined for a long military career. Four years later, he was on trial at Fort Davis, Texas, for embezzlement of government funds and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. But his journey through the West did not end in West Texas, it was only the beginning. Before Flipper’s life was over his adventures would take him through Mexico, South America, and Arizona. It was on that journey that he found fame and redemption. Historian and author Jane Eppinga is a legendary Arizona writer. Her writing credentials include more than 300 articles for both popular and professional publications covering a broad spectrum of subjects including children’s fiction, travel, personal profiles, biology, construction, food, and public relation pieces. A long-time resident of Arizona and a graduate of the University of Arizona, Eppinga is a member of Western Writers of America, Southern Arizona Authors, the National Federation of Press Women, and serves on the board of directors of Arizona Press Women. In addition to Henry Ossian Flipper: West Points’ First Black Graduate, Jane Eppinga has written on many diverse topics concerning the American West. Unsolved Arizona, La Malinche, Black Heroes: America’s Buffalo Soldiers, and They Made Their Mark: an Illustrated History of the Society of Woman Geographers are some of her more recent works. Her articles have also often appeared in Wild West Magazine and Persimmon Hill, the official publication of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. James Stancil is an independent scholar, freelance journalist, and the President and CEO of Intellect U Well, Inc. a Houston-area non-profit dedicated to increasing the joy of reading and media literacy in young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The remarkable story of Henry Ossian Flipper, a young man born into slavery on the eve of the Civil War, and his struggle for recognition left its mark on our nations history. Through extensive research of military documents, court records, appeals, and from Flippers personal journals and published papers, Henry Ossian Flipper: West Point’s First Black Graduate (Wild Horse Press, 2015) captures the sum and substance of a nation torn apart by political ambitions and extreme prejudices and reveals the uncertainty of acceptance and intolerance of blacks in America following Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1878, Flipper seemed destined for a long military career. Four years later, he was on trial at Fort Davis, Texas, for embezzlement of government funds and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. But his journey through the West did not end in West Texas, it was only the beginning. Before Flipper’s life was over his adventures would take him through Mexico, South America, and Arizona. It was on that journey that he found fame and redemption. Historian and author Jane Eppinga is a legendary Arizona writer. Her writing credentials include more than 300 articles for both popular and professional publications covering a broad spectrum of subjects including children’s fiction, travel, personal profiles, biology, construction, food, and public relation pieces. A long-time resident of Arizona and a graduate of the University of Arizona, Eppinga is a member of Western Writers of America, Southern Arizona Authors, the National Federation of Press Women, and serves on the board of directors of Arizona Press Women. In addition to Henry Ossian Flipper: West Points’ First Black Graduate, Jane Eppinga has written on many diverse topics concerning the American West. Unsolved Arizona, La Malinche, Black Heroes: America’s Buffalo Soldiers, and They Made Their Mark: an Illustrated History of the Society of Woman Geographers are some of her more recent works. Her articles have also often appeared in Wild West Magazine and Persimmon Hill, the official publication of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. James Stancil is an independent scholar, freelance journalist, and the President and CEO of Intellect U Well, Inc. a Houston-area non-profit dedicated to increasing the joy of reading and media literacy in young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The remarkable story of Henry Ossian Flipper, a young man born into slavery on the eve of the Civil War, and his struggle for recognition left its mark on our nations history. Through extensive research of military documents, court records, appeals, and from Flippers personal journals and published papers, Henry Ossian Flipper: West Point's First Black Graduate (Wild Horse Press, 2015) captures the sum and substance of a nation torn apart by political ambitions and extreme prejudices and reveals the uncertainty of acceptance and intolerance of blacks in America following Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1878, Flipper seemed destined for a long military career. Four years later, he was on trial at Fort Davis, Texas, for embezzlement of government funds and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. But his journey through the West did not end in West Texas, it was only the beginning. Before Flipper's life was over his adventures would take him through Mexico, South America, and Arizona. It was on that journey that he found fame and redemption. Historian and author Jane Eppinga is a legendary Arizona writer. Her writing credentials include more than 300 articles for both popular and professional publications covering a broad spectrum of subjects including children's fiction, travel, personal profiles, biology, construction, food, and public relation pieces. A long-time resident of Arizona and a graduate of the University of Arizona, Eppinga is a member of Western Writers of America, Southern Arizona Authors, the National Federation of Press Women, and serves on the board of directors of Arizona Press Women. In addition to Henry Ossian Flipper: West Points' First Black Graduate, Jane Eppinga has written on many diverse topics concerning the American West. Unsolved Arizona, La Malinche, Black Heroes: America's Buffalo Soldiers, and They Made Their Mark: an Illustrated History of the Society of Woman Geographers are some of her more recent works. Her articles have also often appeared in Wild West Magazine and Persimmon Hill, the official publication of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. James Stancil is an independent scholar, freelance journalist, and the President and CEO of Intellect U Well, Inc. a Houston-area non-profit dedicated to increasing the joy of reading and media literacy in young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies
Sung by Johnny Prude at Fort Davis, Texas, 1942. Recorded by John A. Lomax.
Sung by Johnny Prude at Fort Davis, Texas, 1942. Recorded by John A. Lomax.
Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. We’re here for another Wiki history lecture featuring the great and groundbreaking podcast series on African Americans in the United States military. November is the month that Americans remember and honor its veterans—the brave men and women who fought for freedom and liberty both within the country and around the world. Did you know that there are nearly 20 million veterans living in the United States. Of that number, more than 2 million veterans are African American. African Americans have fought in every U.S. war beginning with the Revolutionary War. Civil War: 200,000 African Americans served, mostly but not all for the Union war effort. Did you know that Harriet Tubman served as a nurse and spy for the Union Army? World War I: 375,000 African Americans served, mostly as labor: cooking, cleaning and building roads. There was also the Harlem Hellfighters—if you haven’t heard about these incredible guys, you can find their story on one of my podcasts. World War II: 1 million African Americans who fought the Nazis. The Tuskegee Airmen were displayed their bravery and skill during this great war. Most roles for African Americans though were still limited to labor. I won’t continue through all the wars but I’m sure that you send the trend! African Americans distinguished themselves and served with honor in every U.S. war. Indeed, the African American presence in the military was always strong and is continuing to grow stronger. There were difficulties, particularly racial discrimination, there were victories and triumphs, there have been heroes (lots of heroes!) and yes, there have been defeats. The history is long and varied so I think that we should get started discussing this fascinating but often forgotten history, this forgotten contribution made by African Americans. This is African American history at its finest! But you might be asking yourself: what can I learn from it? Great question. Here’s the answer: Courage. Determination. Honor. Great qualities! Everyone can benefit from these qualities—whether military or civilian, male or female, rich or poor, Black or white. These are great qualities for everyone. And these stories about African Americans in the military--their courage to face obstacles like racism, their determination to fight for their country and their freedom, their courage under fire whether it came from Nazis in 1944, from the Vietcong in 1969 or from other Americans, their honor in saving lives in their country and around the world—these stories will inspire you to transcend any hardships that might be in your own life. Since this is a wiki history lecture, we will not discuss the African American presence every U.S. war—that would take a very long time—so we will focus on discussing a few special people who distinguished themselves in the military. Remember that my belief—and the approach that we take at rememberinghistory.com—is that history is made by individuals. History is the story of how people lived, how they contributed to their world, what they dreamed of, what they fought for and what they died for. History is made by individuals. So I am absolutely going to tell the stories of a few special individuals who have served their country with honor and distinction. These people have not only helped to serve and protect us, they have also given us a path to follow. Just like the great explorers that we discussed in last month’s podcast series, these people are also role models that we can learn from. Some have distinguished themselves in combat, some by their mere presence in the military, others in unique and controversial ways. All are important. All have contributed to our freedom. And at rememberinghistory.com, we thank them all. We will discuss two such heroes in the first episode of this series on Blacks in the military. In the second podcast show in the series, we will examine the stories of Blacks in the military as shown on the big screen. That’s right, we’ll discuss movies that show various aspects of the African American experience in the military. I love movies and I’ll mention some of my favorites. If you have favorites, I would love to hear about them. So please leave comments at the rememberinghistory.com website or at the Remembering History Facebook page. If we have time, and I know that we’re bumping up against Thanksgiving (if you are in the United States), we will have one final show that will take special note of the contributions of African Americans currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. You will definitely find this important and inspirational information on the website and Facebook page. And you might also find it on podcast. Send me a message and let me know what you would like. Speaking about that, I hope that you remember the website and Facebook pages are places where you can find a great group of fun and friendly historians where you can participate in discussions, ask questions, make comments or just talk about anything that interests you. We’re open to all viewpoints and we welcome all interested people. Please also visit the Books & Stuff store where you can find books, DVDs (like the ones that I’ll mention in this podcast series) and lots of other educational and fun tools about African American history. Everything has been personally vetted by me so you can trust it all. Or you can send me your criticisms. I take full responsibility for everything on this website. Not many places where you can find personal responsibility but you can find it here. Without further ado, let’s open our great and groundbreaking podcast show about Blacks in the Military with a unique and interesting person who was determined to serve her country. Yes, that’s right. We’re opening this great and groundbreaking show with a discussion about a woman who served in the armed forces. Women in the military is very common today, which is great. But her story began more than 100 years ago—and things were different then. Oh, but I’m jumping ahead (or rather jumping back) too much. Let me tell her story properly. Cathay Williams might be a familiar name to you. But it’s not in many history books. And it’s not in the army enlistment registers either. However, in the army register, you might find the name William Cathay. In fact, I know that you will because I’ve seen it myself. William Cathay. 5 feet 9 inches in height, black eyes, black hair and a black complexion. But William Cathay did not exist. This is not a description for William Cathay enlisting in the armed forces. This is the description for Cathay William. That’s right. Cathay William. And this is her story. This is the story of an African American woman who disguised herself as a man to enlist in the army, the Buffalo soldiers to be exact. And she is the first known African American woman to enlist in the United States army and the only African American woman documented to serve in the United States army in the 19th century. Cathay William was born into slavery in 1844 in Independence, Missouri. When she was 17 years old, in 1861, she was captured and “freed” by Union troops (remember this was at the start of the Civil War). Although she was “freed”, captured slaves were considered contraband and were usually forced to work for the Union soldiers. Cathay William was no exception and she worked as a cook and laundress for the remainder of the war. After the American Civil War ended in 1865, employment opportunities were scarce for African Americans. Cathay William always wanted to support herself. She was determined not to be a burden on any family members or friends. She applied for jobs but found nothing beyond cooking and sewing. Many African Americans looked to military service where they could have steady pay but also get an education, health care and a pension. But these positions were open only to men. A male cousin of Cathay William enlisted and received all these benefits. She decided that she would also enlist—as a man. She switched her first and last names (enter William Cathay), took the medical exam and enlisted. Yes, she actually passed a medical examination as a man! She was declared fit for duty on November 15, 1866 and was assigned to the 38th Infantry Unit. This was one of the six units known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Cathay Williams was as strong as any man in the regiment and she was, in fact, the tallest of the unit. But her career in the military was short-lived. Unfortunately, she contracted smallpox shortly after enlisting the army in Missouri. Still, she marched 536 miles from Fort Harker in Kansas to Fort Cummings in New Mexico. Along the way, she had to be hospitalized 3 times. As a result of the smallpox, she suffered deafness and rheumatism. She also had 10 toes amputated because of diabetes, which caused her to use crutches to walk. In 1868 at the age of 47, she was discharged because of medical disability. No one (except her cousin and perhaps a few others in the regiment) ever knew that she was a woman. After her discharge, she worked as a cook, laundress, seamstress and nurse in towns throughout Colorado. However, she could not continue to work because of the illnesses she contracted during her military service. So she applied for a military pension and this is when the problems began. Despite her disabilities, the army surgeon declared her to be in “overall good health” and “able to work.” During this time, it was discovered that she was a woman. (The exact means of discovery are not clear.) She was denied the pension. She had to continue working as a cook, laundress and seamstress to support herself. It is not entirely clear what year Cathay William died but it is estimated that it was as early as 1892 or as late as 1900. What is known is that the denial of her pension contributed to her death because she was forced to do physical labor despite her weakened condition. Cathay Williams was a strong, brave and determined woman in an age when opportunities for women, particularly African American women, were limited. She is quoted as saying, “The regiment I joined wore the Zouave uniform and only two persons, a cousin and particular friend, who were members of the regiment knew that I was a woman. They never ‘blowed’ on me. They were partly the cause of my joining the army. Another reason was I wanted to make my own living and not be dependent on relations or friends.” She wanted to be independent. And she served her country with honor. Courage. Determination. Honor. Just a note that many women posed as men to enlist in the American Civil War. Some report list hundreds of women posing as men to serve in the army. Some were discovered because of hospital treatments. Others were not discovered during their service but only “confessed” afterwards. Cathay William is one of the few women (and the only Black woman) whose service is documented. She just wanted to make a living. But she was also making history! Wow, what an amazing woman! Too bad that she contracted smallpox so early in her career. Still she tried to persist through the debilitating symptoms. Remember she did complete that 500-mile walk. Also, it was too bad that the military did not support her after she could no longer serve. But still she was a strong woman (physically and mentally) and she remained independent throughout her life. She’s an example and role model to us all! If you want to learn more about Cathay William—and I really hope that you do—I recommend a great book called Cathay William: From Slave to Buffalo Soldier by Phillip Thomas Tucker. You’ll learn a lot more about this amazing woman and yes there is much more to learn about her. The story will inspire you. Guaranteed! Now let’s turn to another African American (this time a man) who is also great role model. In fact, he is such a great role model and a true officer and gentleman that the Military Academy at West Point gives an award EVERY YEAR in his name. Do you know his name? I hope so. But I’m gonna tell you anyway. He is Lieutenant Henry Ossian Flipper and he has an amazing story. Born into slavery in 1856, Henry Flipper was the eldest of 5 brothers. He was born and lived until his freedom in Thomasville, Georgia. At great risk to everyone, another slave on the plantation taught Henry to read and this would, as expected, play an important role throughout his life. When the American Civil War ended in 1865, Henry (because he could read and write) attended Atlanta University. He displayed a strong aptitude for math and engineering so he was sent to the Military Academy at West Point. He was not the first African American to attend the academy. In fact, there were 6 other Black men already studying there. They all experienced racial discrimination as well as physical and mental abuse. At the time, there was 1 Black cadet who had been savagely attacked by several white cadets. The cadet (not Henry Flipper) survived the attack but was later expelled for making false charges against the white cadets who had attacked him. Now this did not happen to Henry but it shows the environment in which he was suddenly cast. And Henry did experience a lot of racism and abuse from the white officers and cadets at the academy. Henry Flipper graduated from West Point in 1877. Although he wasn’t the first African American to attend the academy, he did become the first African American cadet to graduate (or be commissioned) from it. He was then appointed as a second lieutenant in the army cavalry. His first commission was to lead the 10th army cavalry regiment. Perhaps you know them as the Buffalo Soldiers. Lieutenant Henry Flipper became the first nonwhite officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers! His first assignment was to Fort Sill in Oklahoma where he showed his skills as a master engineer. He began with engineering a ditch to drain the malaria-infested swamp. That ditch is still known today as “Flipper’s Ditch.” He also supervised the construction of roads and telegraph lines. From there, he was moved to Fort Concho in west Texas and two years later to Fort Davis, also in Texas. Unfortunately, Fort Davis is where Lieutenant Flipper would encounter the racism that would ultimately end his military career. This would be initiated by First Lieutenant William Shafter—Lieutenant Flipper’s commanding officer. Lieutenant Shafter was brought to Fort Davis, Texas to command the 24th infantry, another Buffalo Soldiers unit. While Lieutenant Shafter accepted Black troops as soldiers, he was absolutely opposed to them as officers. This placed him in direct conflict with Lieutenant Flipper. Lieutenant Shafter (later known as Pecos Bill) brought charges of embezzling government funds (based on falsified evidence) against Lieutenant Flipper, which led to court martial proceedings. It was the ultimate frame up. Fortunately, the court martial found Lieutenant Flipper innocent of the embezzlement charge. However, he was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman”. This was based on Lieutenant Flipper’s relationship with the white daughter of a former commanding officer. (In fact, they used the letters between the Lieutenant Flipper and the C/O’s daughter as evidence against him.) Lieutenant Flipper was received a dishonorable discharge in 1882. He would spend the remainder of his life fighting the conviction and attempting to regain his commission. (By the way, Lieutenant Shafter would later be promoted and awarded the Medal of Honor.) But Lieutenant Flipper’s story is not over yet. Henry Flipper returned to El Paso, Texas where he worked as a civil engineer. He also worked in Mexico and returned to the United States to work as an advisor on revolutionary politics for Senator Albert Fall. In 1923, Henry Flipper moved to Venezuela to work as a civil engineer in the petroleum industry. In 1931, he retired in Atlanta, Georgia where he died in 1940. But, no, the story still is not over. In 1976, Henry Flipper’s descendants and supporters applied to the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records to overturn Flipper’s conviction and sentence. The board, after stating it did not have the authority to overturn his court-martial conviction, concluded the conviction and punishment were "unduly harsh and unjust" and recommended that Flipper's dismissal be changed to a good conduct discharge. In 1999, President Bill Clinton issued a full pardon to Lieutenant Henry Flipper. After his discharge was changed, a bust of Lieutenant Flipper was unveiled at West Point. Since then, an annual Henry O. Flipper Award has been granted to graduating cadets at the academy who exhibit "leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties.” This is the award that I mentioned earlier and no one is more deserving of such an honor as Lieutenant Henry Flipper. Throughout his life, Henry Flipper was a prolific author, writing about scientific topics, the history of the Southwest, and his own experiences. In his book, The Colored Cadet at West Point (1878) he describes his experiences at the military academy. In the posthumously published book, Negro Frontiersman: The Western Memoirs of Henry O. Flipper (1963), he describes his life in Texas and Arizona after his discharge from the Army. You can find these books and others in the store on the rememberinghistory.com website. I also like the DVD called Held in Trust about Lieutenant Flipper. But I admit that nothing beats a book that is written by the person who has actually faced the situations. So, remember that you can find all these great resources on the website. You can decide which is best for you. Courage. Determination. Honor. Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper. So, this concludes the two stories of African American women and men who served the country with honor and distinction. You might have noticed that I chose people who had been born into slavery. People who, upon gaining their freedom when slavery ended, chose to serve their country in the armed forces. Both Cathay William and Lieutenant Henry Flipper had different stories but also similar experiences of racism, discrimination and hardship. But they also had stories of courage, determination and honor. Their stories need to be told because we all can learn from them. We can aim for these high qualities. Courage. Determination. Honor. I hope that you noticed that both of today’s history makers also had a connection with the Buffalo Soldiers. If you want more information about the Buffalo Soldiers, I have a fantastic podcast about them (which also includes a discussion about the Harlem Hellfighters) that you can find on the website. I won’t go into detail about either legendary group right now, but I really encourage you to listen to my podcast about them. They were great history makers and they deserve recognition for their service. In the next podcast show, we will examine a few of the best movies about African Americans in the military. Let’s remember our veterans this month and every month. Let’s never forget their commitment and sacrifices so that we all could be free and safe. Not all were heroes. Not all were patriots. And not all came home. But their memory endures. Because of my appreciation for their great service, I am dedicating these wiki history podcasts about Blacks in the military to a Black veterans organization called the National Association of Black Veterans or nabvets. They are an excellent resource for Black veterans and their families. They provide assistance with filing claims, have lots of information for veterans, and provide chaplain services. They have offices around the United States. Or you can visit their website at www.nabvets.org. For every person who listens to this (or any of my November wiki history podcasts), I will donate $1 to the National Association of Black Veterans Association. It is an honor and privilege to support this organization and I hope that you will too. They also have incredible volunteer opportunities so there’s another way to contribute. Remember www.nabvets.org. Remember our veterans: Honor. Courage. Determination. Great goals for us all. And please visit rememberinghistory.com. Leave your questions or comments. And I would love to hear from our veterans or women and men who are currently serving in the military. You are a great inspiration. And thank you for your service. Honor. Courage. Determination. See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where are remembering history and we’re making it. Bye for now!
An interview with historian Lonn Taylor, the "Rambling Boy" columnist for the Big Bend Sentinel, and author of several books, most recently, Texas People, Texas Places. Recorded in Fort Davis in March 2015. > Transcript > MARFA MONDAYS PODCASTING PROJECT (ALL PODCASTS) > World Waiting for a Dream: A Turn in Far West Texas > C.M. Mayo's home page (books, articles, and more)
The Gist of Freedom Preserving American History through Black Literature . . .
Join The Gist of Freedom as we celebrate Memorial Day with Historian Teddy McQueen President Of The Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle club. Henry Ossian Flipper Born into slavery in March 21,1856. Flipper was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1873 and became West Point's first African American graduate. He served as a signal officer, installed telegraph lines, and supervised the building of roads. At Fort Sill, he directed the construction of a drainage system that helped prevent the spread of malaria. Still known as "Flipper's Ditch," the ditch is commemorated by a bronze marker at Fort Sill and the fort is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Yet, in 1881, while serving at Fort Davis, Flipper's commanding officer accused him of embezzling $3,791.77 from commissary funds. A court-martial found him not guilty of embezzlement but convicted him of conduct unbecoming an officer and ordered him dismissed from the Army. After his dishonorable discharge, Flipper fought to clear his name.In 1898, a bill was proposed to reinstate him into the Army. The bill and several later ones were tabled, and Flipper died in 1940 without vindication. But in 1976, he was granted an honorable discharge, and later President Bill Clinton issued him a full pardon.
Waiting, waiting, waiting in the RGV for the weather to finally warm enough to hit the road. We have many plans for travel in Texas, but this winter has been cold even here, so we are waiting until El NIno gets through with winter. Mid month we headed off to west Texas and Big Bend National Park. We wanted to give this area enough time - no rushing the itinerary so we scheduled 2 weeks for the NP and associated state parks. In retrospect, this was plenty of time for us. If you were a avid hiker, birder or similar sport enthusiast, then more time might be necessary. Our plans were two camping sites in the park and then on to the Davis mountains to the north. We managed to drive most of the improved roads and some 4 wheelin' roads as well as see all of the major sights in a week. The second week was spent a bit north visiting Marfa, Alpine, McDonald Observatory, and Fort Davis. Our overwhelming feeling was one of isolation and desolation of this area. Small towns (usually less than 1000 population) and scattered ranches make up most of this area. Whole counties with less than 5000 population are the norm in the west Texas region. For us urbanites, this feels like nowhere. Cell phones are useless, stores as we know them are hundreds of miles away, fuel and life's essentials are very expensive. Our satellite internet and TV kept us connected everywhere - no trees on this landscape, so we did feel connected. However, there was no local TV or even radio. We are now back in the Dallas area, restocked and replenished. This episode has many interesting topics - many that our listeners have brought up. We try to discuss some interesting articles that we have found in addition to interviewing one of our listeners in the Chicago area via Skype. We appreciate your comments and suggestions both by email (navigator@rvnavigator.com) and on our listener comment phone line, 815/230-0772. Also send us your rig photos for inclusion on the "rig photos" page. There are many new rigs represented so send yours in now.
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