Category Archives: History

The Hye Market and the Best Sandwich of Your Life

Down in the Hill Country, on Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg lies the small town of Hye. If you blink, you may miss it. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.

Hye first caught my attention a couple years ago. I was given this incredible picture of an old truck and tractor out (I LOVE those trucks and tractors) in front of a Post Office. There was a little description by the artist on the back stating it was based in Hye, Texas. The Curious George in me started researching. This location holds a lot of history, especially with President Lyndon B. Johnson. I had to find this place and that I did (read more about it here – Hye, Texas).

Most recently, we took a trip down to Fredericksburg. I knew we were going to drive by this old locale and I was curious to see what became of the building. Low and behold, it is now a market with the best damn sandwich I’ve ever eaten!

The Hye Market is perfection. Bringing together the old and the new. They focus on featuring the best locally produced items and it shows in their products. Walking in, it’s hard not to notice the creaking floors, antique fixtures, amazing ceiling and a charm that you can only find in one of these old buildings. I will admit though, sometimes when I walk into one of these places the thought crosses my mind – “Am I going to want to run out of there?”. Maybe it’s those scary movies I’ve been forced to watch. Not the case here. Kick back and relax!

The food! What’s this “best damn sandwich”?! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a sandwich so fast. Before I knew it, it was gone and then I was a little disappointed. Even now, I wish it was closer so I could swing in and grab one everyday.

The Levi Local – this great sandwich brings choices. I’m still trying to figure out what made it so damn good. Was it the herb aioli that was finger-lickin’ good? The turkey? Was it because it was served in an old pie dish? I’m still trying to figure it out but all I know is I wish it was closer. I’d order another!

The Levi Local – Honey Roasted Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Local Herb Aioli on wheat bread. Holy moly!

The deli area and the main dining area are in two different rooms. The deli area sits alone with a few extra chairs, some antique relics.

The adjoining room is the main dining area. This same room is also town’s post office and I’ve heard Lyndon B. Johnson’s post office box is still there. Filled with microbrews, wine and local items to purchase, have a seat and enjoy your meal. Be sure to look up and take in the old tin ceiling that is only found in these old buildings.

The main dining area leads out to the front porch which houses rocking chairs to observe the traffic and take a breather but more importantly plaques that showcase the historical importance of this spot. President Lyndon B. Johnson grew up down the road. It is here that he claimed to have sent his first letter in the mail. More importantly, the front porch is the very spot in 1965 where President Johnson appointed the United States Post Master General.

The front porch is also the perfect place to sit back and relax after that delicious meal!

Have you been to the Hye Market?
What is the best small-town meal you’ve ever had?

Hye Market
10261 W. Hwy 290Hye, Texas 78635

Read more:
For information on Hye and my first trip to the Post Office Hye, Texas.
How to Spend 48 Hours in Fredericksburg.

All Western Parade, Fort Worth

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#FWSSR #AllWesternParade

For the past 120 years, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has been held in Fort Worth. On the first Saturday of the festivities, the All Western Parade is held in downtown Fort Worth. This is the biggest western themed and non-motorized parade in the world. In the world folks!

On Saturday morning, we lined the streets along with other eager (and cold) guests to take part in the parade. This event exemplifies the history, tradition and heritage found in Fort Worth. Known for the Stockyards, this is the event that meets the wild west, cowboys, cowgirls and the history and tradition that has made this city what it is today. This event is free although you can pay for reserved bleacher seats however I would say to grab a couple chairs and find a spot along the parade route. It’s free and there was plenty of space. Be prepared, the parade lasted over an hour and a half.

The parade was incredibly unique! First, when have you ever attended a non-motorized parade? I can honestly say this was my first. No vehicles – the means of transportation included riding an animal, be pulled by an animal (via a wagon) or your own two legs. There had to be well over a thousand horses. Participant’s included local organizations and community members, local public service organizations (such as the Fort Worth Police Department), out-of-towners (the El Paso Sheriff’s posse was one of my personal favorites as you’ll see with the pictures) as well as American and Mexican participant’s in traditional garb.

With the tradition that is exuberant in Fort Worth, this is one event that you may never find anywhere else. You’ll be entertained, the kids imagination will go wild – it’s definitely enjoyable for everyone involved. Welcome to the Wild West folks! Now, I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

This town is full of history, yesterday’s and today’s.
What is your favorite part of the Wild, Wild West?

Welcome to Cooper, Texas

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Driving down Texas roads, there’s really no telling where one might end up. You could come across a big ole city like Dallas, Austin or San Antonio or there’s hundreds of little towns in between (like Cooper). Some will say, all the small towns look alike. I beg to differ. Each has their unique traits whether it be a crazy looking old house on the corner, a killer high school football stadium that is what “Friday Night Lights” is all about or it could be the population of three.

Small towns are one of the things that I love about Texas. Finding the court houses and seeing how each is different, the faded paint on the side of brick buildings, town squares, small Mom and Pop stores, antiques or just an old building to take a photo of. Some towns are so small it takes a couple minutes to find the “center of town”, its kind of funny when you think about it.

With that said, here is a little town called Cooper. I loved stopping in this town for its buildings. The craziest part was when I got home that night, I happened to have the TV on and 60 Minutes came on and told a story about the Warrior Dog Foundation in, you guessed it, Cooper, Texas. Established by a Navy SEAL, the Warrior Dog Foundation trains K-9’s which gives back to the Navy SEAL’s and the special operations community. (Read more on their website.) I wish I had known that before getting home.

Located an hour and 20 minutes northeast of Dallas, directly north of Sulphur Springs (off Hwy 30) is Cooper. Here’s a glimpse of my favorite shots while passing thru.

If you haven’t guessed it by now, Cooper is an agricultural town. Situated in Delta County, Cooper was established in 1870 by L.W. Cooper of Houston. By 1885, the town was alive and well (with it’s own Post Office). With the coming of the Texas Midland Railroad, the population jumped to 1,000 people by 1896 including a bank, shoemaker, hotel, numerous mills and two weekly papers (among other establishments). Fast forward nearly 100 years to 1970 – over sixty businesses including seed cleaning plants and multiple dairies. This is an agricultural town. 2013 population: 1,977

Have you ever been / passed thru Cooper? What’s your favorite small town?

Historical Information retrieved from the Texas State Historical Association