The first man to fly a powered aircraft was a Texan named Jacob Brodbeck.  History credits the Wright brothers but it’s time to correct the record!  Learn about German immigration, a fascinating Texan, and the first airplane flight in this episode of Wise About Texas.

Painting of Jacob Brodbeck’s 1865 flight (photo: Cibolo Nature Center)

Jacob Brodbeck, the first pilot.

Jacob Bordbeck’s grave

Indianola, Texas street scene

An aerial view of the Herff farm where Brodbeck flew (photo Cibolo Nature Center)

One hump or two? Camels came to Texas in the 1850’s and the ships of the desert proved themselves great Texans! There might even be one or two still wandering around! Learn more about the great camel experiment in this episode of Wise About Texas.

Camel tied to the deck during bad weather

Maj. Henry Wayne

The spot where the camels came ashore in Indianola. (host photo)

site of the courthouse in Indianola. (host photo)

When faced with the most destructive hurricane to date, the city of Galveston faced an unspeakable tragedy with extraordinary resilience. As the city struggled to recover, the citizens were already planning to rebuild. As it turns out, they would go farther than anyone ever they thought possible. Hear about the incredible spirit of Texas as expressed in the recovery from the Great Storm of 1900.

After the storm (Texas State Library photo)

On September 8, 1900 a monster hurricane slammed into Galveston Island, resulting in the largest natural disaster in American history.  In this bonus episode, learn what it was like for the residents of the island as they struggled desperately to survive the storm.

After the storm (Texas State Library photo)

Map showing the destruction from the 1900 Storm. (Houston Daily Post photo)

The worst natural disaster in American history occurred on September 8, 1900 when a massive hurricane hit Galveston, Texas.  At the time, Galveston was the largest city in Texas and one of the most prosperous in the country.  Weather forecasting was not keeping pace with prosperity, however, and the folks in Galveston had no way to know what was about to hit the island.  In part 1, you’ll learn about victorian-era Galveston and the weathermen who thought they understood hurricanes.  This episode will take you through the morning of September 8, a day that changed Galveston, and Texas, forever.

Galveston about 1881

The track of the Great Storm

In 1837, John James Audubon needed a trip to Texas to complete his legendary Bird of America.  He came to Galveston and collected many wonderful specimens.  But the story is about a lot more than birds.  We have rattlesnakes, sawfish, secret agents, soldier skulls and Sam Houston.  Hear about Audubon’s visit in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

John James Audubon

Texan Secretary of the Navy Samuel R. Fisher

Galveston in 1837

Houston in 1837

Audubon’s Mockingbirds

Audubon’s Whooping Crane

Meet Temple Lea Houston, youngest son of Texas hero Sam Houston and one of Texas’s first great trial lawyers.  He was known for his quick mind, a silver tongue, fancy dress and a fast gun.  All of those were helpful in the early courtrooms of Texas.  He turned down the chance for high political office in exchange for the excitement of frontier justice.  He also delivered one of the greatest closing arguments in history.  Come to court in frontier Texas and get Wise About Texas.

Temple Lea Houston

The Brigham monument at San Jacinto

Dedication of the new state capitol building 1888

Happy hour in Tascosa, Texas back in the old days

The old stone courthouse in Mobeetie

Temple Houston about 1890

In the middle of a hot Texas summer, let’s head for the beach!  San Jose Island is bordered by Matagorda to the north and Mustang to the south.  Texas barrier islands all have their unique stories and San Jose is no different.  It has seen explorers, ranchers, entrepreneurs and soldiers.  These islands together hold the last of an endangered species as well as the first private space flight.  Learn how San Jose island, and its neighbors, played an important role in U.S. political history.

FDR tours San Jose Island

FDR fishing near Port Aransas

The presidential yacht USS Potomac

LBJ meets FDR

Merry Christmas…that’s Cowboy Christmas of course.  July 4 is called Cowboy Christmas because of all the great rodeos held around the 4th of July holiday.  In this episode we take a look at the history of rodeo going all the way back to the 16th century.  Learn how the modern sport of rodeo evolved from old Mexico to modern day Texas.  It all seemed to happen on and around July 4!  Saddle up and hang on for a great ride through Texas history and learn about the surprise 1843 rodeo that led to an indian peace treaty!

Striking rodeo cowboys at Boston Garden

Florear de la reata

Jack Hays in 1844, when he organized the comanche rodeo in San Antonio

Jaripeo gone very wrong!

Prescott rodeo bronc ride

Charro pulling a bull’s tail

In the first of a new series on Texas Towns we take a look at the town of Texana, once a booming Texas port city, now claimed by the water she once commanded.

The monument in the Brackenridge family cemetery

Augustus Allen cursed Texana after his purchase attempt failed

The Brackenridge family

The courthouse in Edna

John S. Menefee grave

The Texana Church

Marker for old Texana