Thought first about posting in the Hometown forum but we already know this stuff.......
I know Y'all just can't wait to read 'em!

Enjoy.......

Texas Trivia

Beaumont to El Paso: 742 miles

Beaumont to Chicago: 770 miles

El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas

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 in 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."

King Ranch is larger than Rhode Island

Tropical Storm Claudette brought a US. rainfall record of 43" in 24 hours in
and around Alvin in July 1979.

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). This was of course
intentional. Legally it could not have been done, but they found the highest
hill in Austin and built it there. By the time they finished, it stood 7
feet higher than the National Capitol.

The name Texas comes from the Caddo Indian word "tejas" meaning 'friends.'
Tejas is not Spanish for Texas.

The State animal is the Armadillo. (An interesting bit of trivia aboutthe
armadillo is they always have four babies. They have one egg which splits
into four and they either have four males or four females, all identical.)

The first domed stadium in the U.S. was the Astrodome in Houston.

Fascinating.  I think I might have to take a trip out that way soon.  My only questions:  1.  Are the women as hot as the climate? and 2.  Do you have prarie dogs that need to be vanquished?  MJD

I'm waiting for ETH to insist that there is nothing trivial about Texas!

Quoted: King Ranch is larger than Rhode Island

That one always cracked me up.

Quoted: Fascinating.  I think I might have to take a trip out that way soon.  My only questions:  1.  Are the women as hot as the climate? and 2.  Do you have prarie dogs that need to be vanquished?  MJD

HOTTER waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy F'ing HOTTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
(just look at TRG)

Before any Alaskans go bragging that their state is bigger, let me say this: that's just until you thaw it out.

Here is one for you.  All the fuel for the War in Europe (that's WWII) came  from the East Texas oilfield.  

Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.

That stuff is good too.  Damn, I want some with my biscuits for lunch now...

Quoted: Here is one for you.  All the fuel for the War in Europe (that's WWII) came  from the East Texas oilfield.

....and, 2 of the 7 fuel producing refineries in the U.S. are here.

Quoted: The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water.

Seattle's Edgewater Hotel is Pier 67, and under that pier is nothing but water.

Quoted: Quoted: The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water. Seattle's Edgewater Hotel is Pier 67, and under that pier is nothing but water.

True enough but that is in the Bay...........The Flagship is buit out over the Gulf of Mexico with constant wave action.  There are plenty of other structures built in bays/inlets/coves/ports, etc.  Just look at your local Port, Wharf or ship channel.  It is unique in that it is only connected to the land by a suspended concrete drive.    Still VERY Unique.......you can walk down the beach entire length of Galveston Island and right under the hotel.

There were 6, not five, state capitals.  The sixth being Houston.  When Sam Houston became President of Texas, he declared Houston, the captal of Texas.  Miribeau(sp?) Lamar was then voted President of Texas, moved the capital from Houston, back to Austin.  Sam Houston was again voted President of Texas, and tried to move the capital to Houston, again, but some broad led a challenge, and they fired at cannon at the people trying to move thepapers, and shit.

1. Are the women as hot as the climate? and 2. Do you have prarie dogs that need to be vanquished? MJD

(1) YES!!!

(2) Nope, but plenty of javelina (little nasty pigs, down along the Rio Grande), armadillos (ALL OVER), coyotes (ALL OVER), and other asst varmints.  People would LOVE you to put a dent in the armadillo and coyote population.  In southeastern Texas, Nutria are getting to be a problem.  These are huge water rats from Lousiana, originally from South America.  Great fun with a .22 or a .17.

If a restaurant's tables are covered with red and white checked oilcloth table cloths and at least half a dozen pickups parked out front, chances are the TexMex food is pretty good there, as well as the BBQ and steaks.  

Seafood along the coast is GREAT!  

Galveston is nice all year round.  

Houston drivers have no understanding of the term "safe following distance".

Whatever the speed limit, add 10-15 mph for the safe driving speed.  I was once chastised by a cop for impeding traffic and causing a problem... while driving the limit.  Well, he was polite and said, just drive how everybody else is.  

Texas Rangers don't take any crap, and don't dish out any.  If Texas Rangers ran TSA, there would be no problems at the airport.

Don't disrespect the Alamo.

That funny handsign is NOT a Satanic sign, it is "Hook 'em Horns!"

They take football very seriously, high school, college, pro, all the same to them.

You can wear cowboy boots and hat, and string tie with a suit in Texas and it's OK.  If you don't it's, "You ain't from around here, are ya."  (that's a statement, not a question)

When they tell you "Texas is God's Country," nod in agreement.

I don't live there, but I like Texas, and I LOVE San Antonio.

Quoted: 1. Are the women as hot as the climate? and 2. Do you have prarie dogs that need to be vanquished? MJD (1) YES!!! (2) Nope, but plenty of javelina (little nasty pigs, down along the Rio Grande), armadillos (ALL OVER), coyotes (ALL OVER), and other asst varmints.  People would LOVE you to put a dent in the armadillo and coyote population.  In southeastern Texas, Nutria are getting to be a problem.  These are huge water rats from Lousiana, originally from South America.  Great fun with a .22 or a .17.

Never been to west Texas have ya?

My family settled in East-Central Texas in 1824.  I have a copy of the original Spanish land grant.

Old maps of the state show a place called Dunn's Fort near Wheelock in what is now Robertson County.  It was built by my great-great-great grandfather as a defensive position against Indian raids.  Literally, Davy Crockett slept there on his way to the Alamo.  My great-great-great grandmother noted it in her journal.

My dad is a retired Texas Ranger.

God bless Texas.

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). This was of course intentional. Legally it could not have been done, but they found the highest hill in Austin and built it there. By the time they finished, it stood 7 feet higher than the National Capitol.

really?

I believe the dome at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception IN DC is taller than the capitol dome.

Quoted: 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). This was of course intentional. Legally it could not have been done, but they found the highest hill in Austin and built it there. By the time they finished, it stood 7 feet higher than the National Capitol. really? I believe the dome at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception IN DC is taller than the capitol dome. www.nationalshrine.com/atf/cf/{3B17C6B3-18AB-4C42-BFF7-C6F9BCE8CAC6}/domespire.jpg

He was referring to State Capitol domes.

The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built
over water.


That place is a real rat hole now.  There is a lawsuit that will probably result in it being torn down and an amusement park built in its place (still over the Gulf).  Years ago when it was known as the Galveston Pleasure Pier, and episode of Route 66 was filmed there.  That was even too early for my old ass to remember.

ETA:El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas.  That's a good reason to move out of El Paso.

Google search: World's Oldest Rodeo......Prescott, AZ.   Used to live in Pecos now live 40 miles from Prescott.
No challenge to the fact that Texas has the nicest, most decent people in the U.S.

Quoted: The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water. That place is a real rat hole now.  There is a lawsuit that will probably result in it being torn down and an amusement park built in its place (still over the Gulf).  Years ago when it was known as the Galveston Pleasure Pier, and episode of Route 66 was filmed there.  That was even too early for my old ass to remember. ETA:El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas.  That's a good reason to move out of El Paso.

And indeed the Edgewater is attached to the seawall only by a driveway. Who knows, who cares. I wouldnt sleep in either of them.

I love Galveston  Of course my house is in Tyler

Grew up in Galveston and its a cool for a small barrier reef island town.  

San Antonio, on the other hand, Rocks.  My folks now reside there and I LOVE that place.  

The city I live in now has more issued CCW's than any other in the State (per capita)....any guess?

(2) Nope, but plenty of javelina (little nasty pigs, down along the Rio Grande), armadillos (ALL OVER), coyotes (ALL OVER), and other asst varmints. People would LOVE you to put a dent in the armadillo and coyote population. In southeastern Texas, Nutria are getting to be a problem. These are huge water rats from Lousiana, originally from South America. Great fun with a .22 or a .17.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Never been to west Texas have ya?


Prairie Dogs in west Texas and the panhandle?  Cool.  Have not been there hunting.

Beaumont to El Paso: 742 miles  

I seem to remember a sign in the Beaumont area reading 942 miles to El Paso.

Texas is the only State that is allowed to fly it's State flag at the same height as the U.S. flag.
Others must be lower.

Quoted: My family settled in East-Central Texas in 1824.  I have a copy of the original Spanish land grant. Old maps of the state show a place called Dunn's Fort near Wheelock in what is now Robertson County.  It was built by my great-great-great grandfather as a defensive position against Indian raids.  Literally, Davy Crockett slept there on his way to the Alamo.  My great-great-great grandmother noted it in her journal. My dad is a retired Texas Ranger. God bless Texas.

Ask your dad if he knows a Texas Ranger, likely retired now, named M. Miller from Victoria.  I went to HS with his son.  We were also involved in Scouts in the local area.

Adair, Red    (Houston)
Armstrong, Lance    (Plano)
Avery, Tex    (Taylor)
Barney the Dinosaur    (Dallas)
Burnett, Carol    (San Antonio)
Burns, Brooke    (Dallas)
Busey, Gary    (Goose Creek)
Bush, George Prescott    
Bush, Jeb    (Midland)
Bush, Jenna and Barbara    (Dallas)
Bush, Laura    (Midland)
Bush, Lauren    
Bush, Neil    (Midland)
Bush, Noelle    
Chapman, Mark David    (Fort Worth)
Checkers    
Church, Thomas Haden    (El Paso)
Ciara    (Austin)
Clarkson, Kelly    (Burleson)
Coleman, Bessie    (Atlanta)
Corrigan, 'Wrong Way'    
Crawford, Joan    (San Antonio)
Destiny's Child    (Houston)
Duff, Hilary    (Houston)
Eisenhower, Dwight    (Denison)
Elizabeth, Shannon    (Houston)
Evans, Dale    (Uvalde)
Ewing, Megan    (Abilene)
Fawcett, Farrah    (Corpus Christi)
Foreman, George    (Marshall)
Foxx, Jamie    (Terrell)
Foyt, A. J.    (Houston)
Garner, Jennifer    (Houston)
Goodacre, Jill    (Lubbock)
Hawke, Ethan    (Austin)
Hewitt, Jennifer Love    (Waco)
Highsmith, Patricia    (Fort Worth)
Holly, Buddy    (Lubbock)
Hughes, Howard    (Houston)
Johnson, Lady Bird    (Karnack)
Johnson, Lyndon    (Johnson City)
Jones, Tommy Lee    (San Saba)
Joplin, Janis    (Port Arthur)
Knowles, Beyoncé    (Houston)
Koresh, David    (Houston)
Lovett, Lyle    (Klein)
Mandrell, Barbara    (Houston)
Martin, Steve    (Waco)
Morris, Jim    (Brownwood)
Murphy, Audie    (Kingston)
Nelly    (Austin)
Nelson, Willie    (Abbott)
Nimitz, Chester W.    (Fredericksburg)
North, Ollie    (San Antonio)
O'Connor, Sandra Day    (El Paso)
Orbison, Roy    (Vernon)
Perot, Ross    (Texarkana)
Porter, Katherine Anne    (Indian Creek)
Quaid, Dennis    (Houston)
Quaid, Randy    (Houston)
Rather, Dan    (Wharton)
Roddenberry, Gene    (El Paso)
Ryan, Irene    (El Paso)
Selena    (Lake Jackson)
Shoemaker, Willie    (Fabens)
Simpson, Ashlee    (Dallas)
Simpson, Jessica    (Dallas)
Smith, Anna Nicole    (Mexia)
Spacek, Sissy    (Quitman)
Strait, George    (Poteet)
Strieber, Whitley    (San Antonio)
Swoopes, Sheryl    (Brownfield)
Tate, Sharon    (Dallas)
Vaughan, Stevie Ray    (Dallas)
White, Barry    (Galveston)
Wilson, Owen    (Dallas)
Zaharias, Babe Didrikson    (Port Arthur)
Zellweger, Renee    (Katy)

Quoted: Houston drivers have no understanding of the term "safe following distance".

wtf, I live in Houston and I resent that, we might travel 80mph on the freeway, weaving thru rush hour traffic but we always stay back a safe distance, who needs more than a foot ?

Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978

I know the woman who invented that's sister, now im famous

In the early 1970's, Uncle Sam sent my family to Randolph AFB, about 20 miles from San Antonio in North Bexar County. You better say that "BEAR County" if you don't want to sound like a transplant.

Texas has a Veterans land grant program, and a tuition cap for veterans at State Universities and Colleges.

Bracken, Texas (near New Braunfels) is the only home to Vampire Bats in the United States.

It is a felony to carry wire cutters in Texas.

There are more Air Force bases in Texas than in any other state.

I have stood at the site of the Embassy of the Republic of Texas in London, England.

Football is not a sport in Texas, it is an obsession of near disease preportion.

Texas has a way of getting under your skin, once you live there a while, you never seem to forget it.
I will likely retire in Texas some day.

DaddyDett

Quoted: In the early 1970's, Uncle Sam sent my family to Randolph AFB, about 20 miles from San Antonio in North Bexar County. You better say that "BEAR County" if you don't want to sound like a transplant. Texas has a Veterans land grant program, and a tuition cap for veterans at State Universities and Colleges. Bracken, Texas (near New Braunfels) is the only home to Vampire Bats in the United States. It is a felony to carry wire cutters in Texas. There are more Air Force bases in Texas than in any other state. I have stood at the site of the Embassy of the Republic of Texas in London, England. Football is not a sport in Texas, it is an obsession of near disease preportion. Texas has a way of getting under your skin, once you live there a while, you never seem to forget it. I will likely retire in Texas some day. DaddyDett

The best Chinese restaurant in the world is about a rock's throw from Randolph AFB and fifteen minutes from my house.

Quoted: Quoted: Noting that Caddo lake is the only natural lake in the entire State usually surprises people. Even Caddo Lake being a 'natural' lake is questionable. Have you ever been to Mooringsport, Louisiana, to see the Caddo Lake Dam? Prior to 1874, it was the 'Great Raft' in the Red River, which caused the Caddo River to back up and form the Lake. But, I think we need at least one 'natural' lake in Texas. It would be the only natural thing you couldn't find in Texas, otherwise. Eric The(YeeeHaawww!)Hun

Texas is such a great place to live unless you are a democrat, which means it's a great place for us.

"A major network is planning the show "Survivor 2" this winter. In response, Texas is planning "Survivor, Texas Style." The contestants will start in Dallas, travel through Waco, Austin, San Antonio, over to Houston, and down to Brownsville. They will proceed up to Del Rio, on to El Paso, then to Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, and Amarillo. From there, they proceed to Abilene, and on to Ft. Worth and back to Dallas.

Each will be driving a pink Volvo with a bumper sticker that reads, "I'm gay, I voted for Al Gore, and I'm here to confiscate your guns."

The first one to make it back to Dallas wins."

Ben

Quoted: Before any Alaskans go bragging that their state is bigger, let me say this: that's just until you thaw it out.

Alaska is wider than the contenental USA!

Quoted: Quoted: 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). This was of course intentional. Legally it could not have been done, but they found the highest hill in Austin and built it there. By the time they finished, it stood 7 feet higher than the National Capitol. really? I believe the dome at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception IN DC is taller than the capitol dome. www.nationalshrine.com/atf/cf/{3B17C6B3-18AB-4C42-BFF7-C6F9BCE8CAC6}/domespire.jpg He was referring to State Capitol domes.

Yeah, they're allowed to "bump it up a notch" for God...

Beaumont to El Paso: 742 miles

Beaumont to El Paso is approx. 820 miles

Beaumont to Chicago: 770 miles

Beaumont to Chicago is approx 1031

Source: Microsoft Streets and Trips set to "shortest route"....

I hate to piss in your Cheerios but I knew that was wrong as soon as I saw it, so I looked it up...

The Fairmont Hotel in San Antonio is the heaviest building ever moved intact.

Not bad for a guy who lives in Connecticut, huh?  Huh?  Right!  

Quoted: Quoted: In the early 1970's, Uncle Sam sent my family to Randolph AFB, about 20 miles from San Antonio in North Bexar County. You better say that "BEAR County" if you don't want to sound like a transplant. Texas has a Veterans land grant program, and a tuition cap for veterans at State Universities and Colleges. Bracken, Texas (near New Braunfels) is the only home to Vampire Bats in the United States. It is a felony to carry wire cutters in Texas. There are more Air Force bases in Texas than in any other state. I have stood at the site of the Embassy of the Republic of Texas in London, England. Football is not a sport in Texas, it is an obsession of near disease preportion. Texas has a way of getting under your skin, once you live there a while, you never seem to forget it. I will likely retire in Texas some day. DaddyDett The best Chinese restaurant in the world is about a rock's throw from Randolph AFB and fifteen minutes from my house.

Some of the best Mexican food I ever had was in Universal City, at that family owned place across from the old Kon-Tiki motel.
Ott's BBQ kicks butt!
DaddyDett

Quoted: World's first rodeo was in Pecos... July 4, 1883.

Perhaps the first event called a 'rodeo' happened then, but I doubt it was the first such competition.  Kind of like saying that the first Hurricane on record was noted by Columbus.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: In the early 1970's, Uncle Sam sent my family to Randolph AFB, about 20 miles from San Antonio in North Bexar County. You better say that "BEAR County" if you don't want to sound like a transplant. Texas has a Veterans land grant program, and a tuition cap for veterans at State Universities and Colleges. Bracken, Texas (near New Braunfels) is the only home to Vampire Bats in the United States. It is a felony to carry wire cutters in Texas. There are more Air Force bases in Texas than in any other state. I have stood at the site of the Embassy of the Republic of Texas in London, England. Football is not a sport in Texas, it is an obsession of near disease preportion. Texas has a way of getting under your skin, once you live there a while, you never seem to forget it. I will likely retire in Texas some day. DaddyDett The best Chinese restaurant in the world is about a rock's throw from Randolph AFB and fifteen minutes from my house. Some of the best Mexican food I ever had was in Universal City, at that family owned place across from the old Kon-Tiki motel. Ott's BBQ kicks butt! DaddyDett

Felix's?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Before any Alaskans go bragging that their state is bigger, let me say this: that's just until you thaw it out. Alaska is wider than the contenental USA! So's Rosie O'Donald's ass, but I wouldn't want to live there! Alaska's great for its natural majesty, the great folks who live there, and Manatuska Thunderfu*k, but do you really wish to live in an icebox? Read Jack London's collected works and get back with us! Eric The(FreezingJustThinkingAboutAlaskaInSpring)Hun

It's been my dream since I was about 9, the 1st time I went. I have talked with many folks from the area I used to live in Wi who now live there & they say the winters are milder in Anchorage than the area I lived iN Wi!

Of course Texas has pussified me to the cold.

Ewwwww, 62 dagees out Brrrrrrrrrrr!