Facts About Texas

eMail | 2-10-04 | unknown

[FlyLow]

No one asked for these, but here are some little known facts about Texas. I know y'all just can't wait to read them!

Beaumont to El Paso: 742 miles Beaumont to Chicago: 770 miles World's first rodeo was in Pecos... July 4, 1883. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water. The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman who was the first full time coach for Rice University, Houston. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in North America. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America's only remaining flock of whooping cranes. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978. The worst natural disaster in U.S. history was in 1900 caused by a hurricane in which over 8000 lives were lost on Galveston Island. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969, was "Houston." El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas. Laredo is the world's largest inland port. Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the world's largest rose garden with over 38,000 bushes with 500 varieties on 22 acres. The State shell is Lightning Whelk. King Ranch is larger than Rhode Island. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a U.S. rainfall record of 43" in 24 hours in and around Alvin in July 1979. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, instead of by annexation. (This allows the Texas flag to fly a t the same height as the US flag.) A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period after Dr in Dr Pepper. Texas has had six capital cities . 1. Washington-on-the-Brazos 2. Harrisburg 3. Galveston 4. Velasco 5. West Columbia 6. Austin The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the U.S. which is taller than the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. (by 7 feet). The name Texas comes from the Hasini Indian word "Tejas" meaning friends. Tejas is not Mexican for Texas. The State animal is the Armadillo. * The first domed stadium in the U.S. was the Astrodome in Houston.

IT IS THE ONLY STATE THAT CAN HAVE A REFERENDUM AND DIVIDE ITSELF INTO FIVE (5) STATES, PER ITS TREATY TO BECOME PART OF THE UNITED STATES.

*An interesting bit of trivia about the armadillo is they always have four babies! They have one egg which splits into four and they either have four males or four females. Well... I thought it was interesting anyway!

[lawdude]

"Yet you allow millions of illegal aliens to run loose all over the state?"

That's cuz they ain't no open season.......YET!

[stands2reason]

"The sun has rose and the sun has set, but we ain't out of Texas yet!"

[ChefKeith]

on the half shell

[stands2reason]

You know we're not supposed to talk up Texas when JH is around -- it hurts his feelings.

[deport]

Where are you new from..... Keep up the learning process... but you'll get plenty of help from your compardres I'm sure.....

[new cruelty]

Go to any Texas state facility and see if our flag is flying lower than the US flag. You won't see it.

Are you sure about that?

State Capitol Building Entrance, Austin, Texas

[1L]

So TX you are welcome.

Since you weren't there and didn't have a darn thing to do with it, why this smug remark?

[new cruelty]

I found this code regarding displaying the State Flag with the United States Flag:

§ 3100.055. Display on Flagpole or Flagstaff With Flag of United States

(a) If it is necessary for the state flag and the flag of the United States to be displayed on the same flagpole or flagstaff, the United States flag should be above the state flag.

(b) If the state flag and the flag of the United States are displayed on flagpoles or flagstaffs at the same location:

(1) the flags should be displayed on flagpoles or flagstaffs of the same height;

(2) the flags should be of approximately equal size;

(3) the flag of the United States should be, from the perspective of an observer, to the left of the state flag;

(4) the flag of the United States should be hoisted before the state flag is hoisted; and

(5) the state flag should be lowered before the flag of the United States is lowered.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 7.001, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

[stands2reason]

Ta fir de Texas ping....

"The worst natural disaster in U.S. history was in 1900 caused by a hurricane in which over 8000 lives were lost on Galveston Island.
The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969, was 'Houston.'"

The first fact is responsible for the second.

As I am in a cheeky mood, you get to guess why. :-)

[thackney]

The first fact is responsible for the second.

The 1900 Hurricane has the unique distinction of not only destroying a city but building another. Houston's port was built mainly due to fears of another storm destroying Galveston. From the port, the city grew.

[PurVirgo]

From North Carolina. Still the lovely South, just much colder.

I had no clue about Texas' rich and fascinating history though. I'm taking a required class for all TX college students (Government, State and National)

It's real interesting, especially our discussions on Federalism. Believe it or not, I feel like I can understand political discussions a little bit more here on FR, particularly when it comes to issues of State/National Sovereignty.

[Richard Kimball]

The Dallas Cowboys have won 5 Superbowls and played in 7.

They've played in eight. Lost to the Colts, beat the Dolphins, lost to the Steelers, lost to the Steelers, beat the Broncos, beat the Bills, beat the Bills, beat the Steelers.

[Richard Kimball]

The state capital is the only capital building taller than the Washington capital. Federal law requires plans be submitted that indicated the state capital would not be taller, but when Texas submitted the plans, they didn't include the 15 foot Goddess of Liberty statue that would be on top. I don't know if it's still true, but as of 1990, no building or statue on the state capital grounds in Austin or the University of Texas campus faced north.

The last battle of the Civil War was fought in Texas. The Texans defeated the Union army, and found out later the south had surrendered.

Sam Houston, the hero of San Jacinto, first President of Texas, and first Governor of Texas, was thrown out of office when he refused to vote for secession. He died in relative obscurity during the war.

The flag the Texans waved over the Alamo was a Mexican flag with 1824 on it. The original intent was not to secede from Mexico, but to persuade Mexico to return to the 1824 Constitution.

The battle of San Jacinto lasted less than 20 minutes. 900 Texans killed over 600 of the opposing forces and captured 700. The Texans had nine deaths. Santa Anna was captured hiding in women's clothing. The Texans took his wooden leg and kept it for a souvenir.

[FlyLow]

"Just learned this today in my Government Class!!

not bad for a New Texan"

---

Which "foreign" country or state are you from?

Welcome to the Great State of Texas!

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

I had no clue about Texas' rich and fascinating history though.

Most people think Texans are arrogant. It's just that Texans know their heritage and are proud of what Texas has been through and stands for.

[normy]

Ah yes the Colts! Thanks for the correction.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

You know we're not supposed to talk up Texas when JH is around -- it hurts his feelings.

NOW you tell me! ;-)

[katana]

Union Civil War general and later one of the main generals of the Indian Wars. One of a clique of Ohio born generals which included Sherman, Grant, and Custer. I understand that Phil Sheridan (by Union standards) was a fairly talented soldier. To put his comment in context, try to imagine a Texas summer without air conditioning or water from the man made reservoirs which now dot the state.

[dtel]

bttt

[anotherdubya]

I lived in Alvin during the 1979 storm (July 25th/26th), the actual rainfall amount was closer to 48", but the roof to weather station collapsed at 43" thus the lower number. It was raining so hard to could put your hand in front of your face and not be able to see it. Truely amazing event.