The death of two wealthy sisters in Llano, Texas initially didn’t set off any alarm bells. That was until a close friend was tied to an arsenic poisoning a few cities away. The Norton ranch stands to this day. Resources: Poison for Profit by Mac B. McKinnon Texas Monthly: Poisoned with Love https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/poisoned-with-love/?fbclid=IwAR1b2gH5bgW_t9r5MG2pv03B4TQo2GaFOMWKLRO6zDaswl5HJFDoICuUbi0 https://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-prisons/inmates/timothy-g-scoggin/1177168/ http://sites.rootsweb.com/~txllano/THE%20HOUSE%20ON%20THE%20HILL.htm…
Bella- The Official Cat of the Alamo
Bella is the most recent in a line of furry protectors of one of Texas’ most infamous landmarks. Resources: https://twitter.com/bellaalamocat https://medium.com/@txglo/mighty-huntress-on-the-prowl-rodents-beware-b41faf8fe80 https://texashillcountry.com/alamo-cat-named-bella/ https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Alamo-has-new-official-cat-6335477.php https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/alamo-cat-graves
The Popeye Statue of Crystal City
Just under two hours Southwest from San Antonio sits a statue devoted to a beloved cartoon character that may have had something to do with keeping Crystal City alive during The Great Depression. The statue can be found at 400 W Zavala St, Crystal City, TX 78839. Resources: http://www.texasescapes.com/They-Shoe-Horses-Dont-They/Popeye-Sailors-in-Limestone.htm https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2658 https://texashillcountry.com/popeye-sailor-crystal-city-texas/ http://cityofcc.org/
Fred, the Ghost of Austin’s Buffalo Billiards
If you’re looking for a beer in a former boarding house, maybe a quick game of pool, Austin’s Buffalo Billiards is your place. Still, this 6th st location is also known for a ghostly resident nick-named Fred. Resources: https://buffalobilliardsaustin.com/ https://nightlyspirits.com/ghosts-of-austin-texas-buffalo-billiards/ https://austin.curbed.com/maps/austin-haunted-places-to-go-map
The Old Goatman Bridge
Up near Dallas is a the community of Denton. Now a foot bridge, the Old Alton Bridge has a very dark history and one hell of a ghost. Resources https://texashillcountry.com/goatman-bridge-history-hauntings-denton-alton-bridge https://wedentondoit.com/blog/2013/10/18/back-in-the-day-goatmans-bridge https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/goatmans-bridge https://www.discoverdenton.com/article/paranormal-denton-county-night-goatmans-bridge
The Haunted Clocktower of Gonzales
The Gonzales County Courthouse is a marvel of a building that was begun in 1894. By 1846, the brick and limestone building was festooned with a gorgeous clocktower. However, after a murderer made a final claim, the clock tower found its curse. Resources: https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/gonzales-tx/points-of-interest/cursed-courthouse-clock http://www.texasescapes.com/TRIPS/GreatAmericanLegendTour/GonzalesCoCourthouse/Gonzales-County-Courthouse-Clock.htm https://www.gonzalestx.travel/business/gonzales-county-courthouse So you can get a look at the clocktower:
La Lechuza- Witch-Owls of Texas
In Mexico and South Texas, there’s one frightening creature that terrifies children and adults in the shape of an owl- La Lechuza. Resources: https://www.scarymommy.com/la-lechuza/ http://demonhunterscompendium.blogspot.com/2012/07/la-lechuza-witch-bird.html https://thoughtcatalog.com/emily-madriga/2018/03/17-facts-about-the-lechuza-and-lechuza-stories/ https://www.reddit.com/r/scarystories/comments/ch0s6j/la_lechuza_the_owl_witch_true_story/ Creepy Creatures and Other Cucuys by Xavier Garza And this was just cool:
Pamela Dickinson Mann
She always carried a Bowie knife, was almost executed for forgery, and told Sam Houston he couldn’t take her Oxen. Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamelia_Dickinson_Mann https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fma35 https://www.navasotaexaminer.com/article/lifestyle/outrageous-pamela-mann
The Angel of Goliad, Francita Alavez
Though the details of her life were spotty, it is known that Francita Alavez saved the lives of men at Goliad, and earned the nickname “The Angel of Goliad.” Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francita_Alavez https://texashistoricalmarkers.weebly.com/angel-of-goliad.html
Lottie Deno (Carlotta Tompkins)
In a time where gambling was scene as a man’s hobby, Lottie Deno made her name (and her living) winning at the gaming tables of Texas. Resources: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-lottiedeno/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lottie_Deno
Texas: Slang for Crazy 