In 1925 a case before the Supreme Court of Texas changed all the rules….for five months. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Woman_Supreme_Court https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/61410/strange-tale-texas-all-female-supreme-court https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/ward-hortense-sparks
The Candy Man- Ronald O’Bryan
Ronald O’Bryan is known throughout history for “killing Halloween” after murdering his son with a poisoned Pixy Stix. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Clark_O%27Bryan https://www.statesman.com/news/20161014/35-years-later-memories-of-notorious-halloween-candyman-murder-remain-vivid
The Donkey Lady of San Antonio
At a bridge just passed the South Side of San Antonio, a deformed woman is said to haunt those who stumble into her path. Resources: http://www.weirdus.com/states/texas/local_legends/donkey_lady_bridge/
The Ghost Lights of Bragg Road
In the Big Thicket, a ghost light has haunted the way since the Santa Fe Railroad pulled up tracks. Resources: http://www.weirdus.com/states/texas/unexplained_phenomena/bragg_road/index.php http://www.texasescapes.com/Ghosts/Bragg-Road-Ghost-Light.htm http://www.weirdus.com/states/texas/unexplained_phenomena/bragg_road/index.php
Black Diamond, Corsicana’s Killer Elephant
An animal with behavioral problems and a trainer who reduced precautions? What could have gone wrong in Corsicana in 1929. Resources: 6 Feet Under Texas by Tui Snider https://www.texasobserver.org/corsicanas-killer-elephant/ https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/13906 https://obituaries.corsicanadailysun.com/obituary/carmack-watkins-1071445206 https://txnavarr.genealogyvillage.com/biographies/d/donohoe_eva.htm
Dead Man’s Hole
Near Marble Falls, turn off onto County Road 401 for the site of a Civil War horror. Resources: https://www.101highlandlakes.com/news/dead-mans-hole-in-marble-falls https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dead-mans-hole https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dead-mans-hole
The Reluctant Alien Invasion
In 2008 Stephenville, Texas got more attention than they wanted when lights appeared in their skies. Resources: Fringe-ology Steve Volk https://www.npr.org/2008/01/16/18146244/dozens-claim-they-spotted-ufo-in-texas https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/a4018/4304170/ https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/MUFON_releases_report_on_UFO_sighting_in_Stephenville,_Texas
The Treue Der Union Monument and the Massacre on the Nueces
In 1862 a group of German Unionists were gunned down at the Massacre on the Nueces. Today a monument to their murder and the Union sits in a Hill Country Town. Thanks to the following resources: The Texas State History Handbook Online: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/nueces-battle-of-the The New York Times https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/11/massacre-on-the-nueces/?_r=1 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treue_der_Union_Monument Texas Public Radio: https://www.tpr.org/post/treue-der-union-monument-represents-incredible-cost-comfort
Ms. Pearl the Giant Squirrel and the Pecan Pie Vending Machine
Off Highway 71 near Austin is not only a pecan pie vending machine that dispenses pies 24 hours, but a 14-foot squirrel guiding the way. Resources: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/pecan-pie-vending-machine https://berdollsquirrel.com/
Giant Heads and Mount Rush Hour- David Adickes
Driving through Texas, you might get a peak at a few giant heads and a Mini Mount Rushmore built for Houston traffic. Resources: https://thetexasbucketlist.com/2020/02/the-texas-bucket-list-david-adickes-art-studio-in-houston/ https://kwhi.com/no-suspects-in-graffiti-spraying-of-stephen-f-austin-statue-in-bellville-statue-cleaned-by-local-students/ https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/48713 https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/17589 https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/david-adickes-sculpture-gallery
