Nobody asked for them, but here are some little known Texas facts. I know ya'll just can't wait to read 'em!

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.

Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, instead of by annexation. (This allows the Texas flag to fly at 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). (here is my Kathys' personal note) 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 Hasini Indian word "tejas" meaning friends. Tejas is not Spanish for Texas.

The State animal is the Armadillo. (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!)

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

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - TEXAS STYLE
People here in Texas have trouble with all those shalls and shall nots in the 10 Commandments. Folks here just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some folks out in west Texas got together and translated the "King James" into "King Ranch" language: Ten Commandments, cowboy style.

Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas.

(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Now that's kinda plain an' simple don't ya think?
Y'all have a good Day.
You hear?

Comments:

comment by troutbend on Aug 10, 2008 10:36 PM ()

Ok!

reply by texastar on Aug 11, 2008 2:19 AM ()

Very good post Jenn. I liked that,

comment by lizzieann on Aug 10, 2008 8:22 PM ()

Thanks Mom!! I am glad that you did like it!!

reply by texastar on Aug 10, 2008 8:39 PM ()

comment by marta on Aug 9, 2008 4:42 PM ()

reply by texastar on Aug 10, 2008 12:12 PM ()

and Jondude spent 8 weeks at Fort Hood, TX!

comment by jondude on Aug 9, 2008 7:07 AM ()

My oldest brother was stationed at Fort Hood for about a year or so I think. My other brother was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio for about a year.

reply by texastar on Aug 10, 2008 12:11 PM ()

oh you texans! this is a great list Jenn! love the commandments! plain and simple!

comment by elkhound on Aug 9, 2008 7:04 AM ()

Oh I know we can't help ourselves!! Yep, I like the Ten Commandments this way too.

reply by texastar on Aug 10, 2008 12:10 PM ()

Though I'm no longer in Texas I still live by the Cowboy's Ten Commandments!! Great post!!!

comment by jennrud on Aug 8, 2008 11:48 PM ()

I know what you mean Jenn!!

reply by texastar on Aug 10, 2008 12:09 PM ()

Absolutely fascinating! So, it's true... Texans take enormous pride in their state, even to how many miles it is from here to there!! How did Texas get more capitals than the rest of us? I love the Ten Commandments, Texas style!!! I will tell my friends... Do you think they'll try to hit me?

comment by sunlight on Aug 8, 2008 9:58 PM ()

Well those towns/cities were all the capitols of Texas before Austin became the capitol now. Kind of like New York and Philly were the capitols of the USA before Washington D.C. was. Yes, we Texans are proud of our state!! There are some more radical than others. Lol I love the way they do the Ten Commandments too.

reply by texastar on Aug 10, 2008 12:07 PM ()