Though this company began by selling butter, it quickly evolved into the beloved Texas staple it is today. The Kruse family has helped Blue Bell deliver into stores and homes across the state for over a century, bringing homemade goodness to all. They have led the company through hardship and much success and Blue Bell continues to thrive in the Lone Star State.

Born in Refugio, Texas, in 1947 as the youngest of six children, Lynn Nolan Ryan was no stranger to hard work and hand-me-downs. At six months old, his father, Lynn Nolan Ryan, Sr., who worked for Hastings Oil Field was transferred to Alvin, Texas, where Ryan spent the rest of his childhood and much of his adult life.

Texans have a reputation for being many things: proud, friendly, and perhaps a bit brash, just to name just a few! They also are known to be extremely resourceful, as dozens of important  discoveries have been made right here in Texas. From the first frozen margarita machine to Liquid Paper, to the original handheld electronic calculator, here are some of the stories behind just a few life-changing inventions!

  This probably isn’t news to you, but Texas is a really big place. Like, really big. Did you know that El Paso, Texas is closer to San Diego, California than it is to Houston!? Or that the DFW airport has a larger geographic footprint than Manhattan? With Texas being as big as it is, […]

The story of the last cowboy has been written, a movie was made, but out in a rolling pasture near Hamilton, Texas, the final scene has not been cut; the last word is still unwritten.

There is something called salesmanship, that when done really well, is a bit more like showmanship; it is the difference between convincing someone to buy something and allowing them to experience something. There is a broad contrast between having a press pass, which allows someone to view a special celebrity from behind the curtain, and being allowed the experience of feeling important in one's own right.

A venture mostly ignored before her involvement, the plight of the illegitimate, the orphaned, and the homeless child became Edna Gladney's lifelong pursuit—a pursuit that would eventually change the face of Texas and America as well.

From the symbolic colors and honorable lone star, to the history behind the idea, there is much to learn and respect about our flag!

In a state as big as Texas it is really not surprising that there are some mighty peculiar town names among the thousands of communities that make up this state! What is surprising however, are the mundane reasons for many of the odd-sounding choices. Of course there are also some very strange reasons for some very strange names!    

What do Muleshoe, Salty, Bobo, Noodle, and Lazbuddie have in common? They are all peculiar names of towns around the state!  The reasons for the unusual appellations are sometimes simple, sometimes obscure, but usually explainable. Each town was once a thriving community that picked their name to reflect monumental qualities for which they were once known!  Here are explanations for the unusual names of ten towns that you might have come across in your travels.

If you have ever taken a road trip through Texas, you are sure to have noticed that some towns that have very peculiar names. Many honor people, perhaps founders, sweethearts, or heroes.  Other town names seem to describe the surrounding terrain or perhaps a whimsical landmark.

What is in a name? As The Bard once wrote, “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet!”  Well perhaps, but what about a town named Hogeye, Raisin, or Loco?

If you have ever driven through some of the back roads in Texas, you know that there are also many inexplicably strange town names. Why would anyone name a town Frognot, Bug Tussle, or Oatmeal? What about Ding Dong, Dime Box, or Hoot and Holler? Ah, as Shakespeare once wrote, “therein hangs a tale!”

The next time you find yourself visiting a Texan Oktoberfest or Wurstfest, keep your ears open. You might be able to hear a snippet of a language that may not be here much longer.