Authentic Texas

Authentic Texas Authentic Texas - the heritage magazine of Texas. Authentic Texas is the Heritage Magazine of Texas. Box 208, Abilene, TX 79604.
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We are storytellers with a passion for gathering, preserving, & sharing the tales about the authentic people, places and things that make Texas unique. Authentic Texas is a quarterly magazine that promotes Texas people, places, events, and stories; the magazine is available in the traditional print version and/or via the digital version on our website (AuthenticTexas.com). It is available by paid

subscription and can be found for sale at retail outlets throughout the state (United and HEB grocery stores, Barnes & Noble, etc.). It’s also available at more than 100 visitor centers, historic sites, museums, and select cultural and heritage sites in the Lone Star state. We showcase the people, places, and products that make the Texas experience unique, from our rich and diverse heritage to today’s art and culture. We tell the true stories worth sharing, the stories that invite travelers to get in the car and come see for themselves. We tell those stories through content equal to its subject — words and images that do our state proud. Authentic Texas is a product of the Texas Heritage Trails, LLC, which is a coalition of five nonprofit heritage trail organizations from across the state. The Texas Brazos, Forts, Mountain, Pecos, and Plains Trail Regions promote community development through heritage tourism and are participants in the Texas Heritage Trails Program of the Texas Historical Commission. Our offices are located in Abilene, Texas; our mailing address is P.O.

Our hearts are breaking for all those in Central Texas impacted by the devastating flash floods. We are praying for comf...
07/06/2025

Our hearts are breaking for all those in Central Texas impacted by the devastating flash floods. We are praying for comfort, healing, and strength for those families still waiting on news, those that have lost loved ones, and the first responders working around the clock to support our communities. Join us in praying for those families and communities and in helping in any way we can.

We recommend donating to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort- https://www.disasterreliefeffort.org/ or Samaritan's Purse- https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/deadly-flooding-hits-central-texas/
or any of these organizations that have also been recommended:
https://arkofhighlandlakes.org/flood-response-070525/
https://texsar.networkforgood.com/projects/236695-2024-annual-appeal
https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201

Today marks the 160th anniversary of June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for nearly 250,000 en...
06/19/2025

Today marks the 160th anniversary of June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for nearly 250,000 enslaved Texans. Today, we honor this powerful legacy and reflect on the resilience and spirit of the African American community in Texas.

Learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth from Sam Collins III
authentictexas.com/160-years-of-freedom
Texas Historical Commission

June 19, 2025, will mark the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth, a momentous commemoration that celebrates the evolution of our country to a more perfect union.

"It's always been about the romance of wildcatting. There's the guy who bets his last nickel he's gonna hit a gusher."Fr...
05/26/2025

"It's always been about the romance of wildcatting. There's the guy who bets his last nickel he's gonna hit a gusher."

From James Dean’s iconic oil‑soaked scene in "Giant" to the scheming Ewings in "Dallas," Texas oil has fueled Hollywood drama for decades. Now Taylor Sheridan’s "Landman" continues the tradition, with real petroleum engineers advising the production.

Tell us—Which Texas oil story captures your imagination the most?
"Giant" (1956)
"Dallas" (1978‑1991)
"Landman" (2024)

Vote in the comments, then tap the link in our bio for the full timeline of Texas oil on screen and to subscribe to Authentic Texas.

On this Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, knowing that freedom isn’t free. Texans have stood...
05/26/2025

On this Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, knowing that freedom isn’t free. Texans have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Americans from every state. Serving, protecting, and, all too often, laying down their lives.

We remember them. We thank them. And we pledge to keep their stories alive.

Towering Texaco and Sinclair signs lead to Cooks Garage—a neon‑lit warehouse filled with classic cars, burgers and red‑d...
05/26/2025

Towering Texaco and Sinclair signs lead to Cooks Garage—a neon‑lit warehouse filled with classic cars, burgers and red‑dirt concerts. Outdoor shows play beneath restored oil‑company billboards; first‑Saturday Coffee & Cars is a must.

Have you rolled into the Texas Plains Trail Region to Cooks Garage for a show—or just to count the vintage signs? Tell us your favorite memory!

Visit the link in our bio to learn more about Cooks Garage & Events and subscribe!

Long before oil, Texans traded rainbow‑hued chert—stone sharper than steel. Alibates flint near Amarillo, veined red and...
05/25/2025

Long before oil, Texans traded rainbow‑hued chert—stone sharper than steel. Alibates flint near Amarillo, veined red and white, traveled hundreds of miles in prehistoric networks. Quarry pits dot the National Monument today.

Which color of Texas chert would you keep for tools—or jewelry?

Visit the link in our bio to learn more about chert and subscribe!

05/20/2025

Spend an evening connecting with our past as historian Jay Moore shares funny and interesting tales about Abilene, Texas…everything locals oughta know but probably don’t. A FREE history event at the Historic Paramount Theatre!

Abilene: Tales of Home | Tuesday, June 3
Doors open at 6:30 pm (come early to get a seat!)
Storytelling begins at 7:30 pm
Concessions will be open

This event is made possible by the Dian Graves Owen Foundation and presented in partnership with The Grace Museum.

"At 10:30 a.m. on January 10, 1901, the earth shook and a geyser of oil shot 100 ft skyward—Spindletop had erupted." Bes...
05/12/2025

"At 10:30 a.m. on January 10, 1901, the earth shook and a geyser of oil shot 100 ft skyward—Spindletop had erupted." Beside Pattillo Higgins and Capt. Anthony Lucas stood Caroline Lucas, who sold their furniture and pushed the crew to drill on. Her faith helped launch the petroleum age.

Have you visited the Spindletop‑Gladys City Boomtown Museum? Share your experience!

Visit the link in our bio for the complete Spindletop story and subscribe!

Galveston‑born engineer George P. Mitchell spent 20 years perfecting horizontal drilling + slick‑water fracking, jump‑st...
05/08/2025

Galveston‑born engineer George P. Mitchell spent 20 years perfecting horizontal drilling + slick‑water fracking, jump‑starting the shale boom that powers over half of U.S. gas. Then he built The Woodlands—his “city in the forest.”

Did you know the fracking pioneer also designed The Woodlands? Which legacy fascinates you more—energy innovation or community design?

Visit the link in our bio for George Mitchells's story and subscribe!

Orphaned at 13, Robert T. Hill rode cattle trails collecting fossils, then mapped Texas layer by layer. He named the Com...
05/08/2025

Orphaned at 13, Robert T. Hill rode cattle trails collecting fossils, then mapped Texas layer by layer. He named the Comanche Series and traced the Balcones Fault. Maps that later guided oil drillers and water wells.

Next time you crest the Balcones Escarpment, tip your hat to Hill. Did you learn Texas geology in school or on road trips? Tell us!

Visit the link in our bio for Robert Hill's full story and subscribe!

03/26/2025

Downtown Abilene has changed a bit over the years!

03/07/2025

After 13 days of besieging by the Mexican army, The Alamo fell on this day in 1836. This pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution became a symbol of Texian resistance.

The Alamo's history began in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, with construction completed in 1724. It became a fortress in 1803 when Spanish soldiers, the Álamo de Parras company, used it as barracks. Over the years, Spanish and Mexican forces fought for control of the Alamo.

By 1836, the Texas Revolution was underway. On February 23, Mexican Gen. Santa Anna's army of about 1,800 surrounded the Alamo, where commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis led nearly 200 defenders, including the famous David Crockett. Some women and children also sought refuge in the fort.

The final assault began before dawn on March 6, lasting about 90 minutes. The last stand occurred in the old mission chapel, now globally recognized as the Alamo. While all Texian combatants perished, some non-combatants survived.

In the aftermath, Santa Anna ordered the defenders' remains burned. The devastating loss sparked the battle cry 'Remember the Alamo!' and inspired Texian troops in later battles.

Learn more about the Alamo and the Texas Revolution: https://texastimetravel.com/directory/alamo-mission-san-antonio-de-valero/

📸: Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Address

317 Pecan Street
Abilene, TX
79602

Telephone

+13256606774

Website

https://linktr.ee/authentictexas

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Authentic Texas is the Heritage Magazine of Texas. Authentic Texas is a product of the Texas Heritage Trails, LLC, which is a coalition of five nonprofit heritage trail organizations from across the state. The Texas Forts, Lakes, Mountain, Plains and Tropical Trail Regions promote community development through heritage tourism and are participants in the Texas Heritage Trails Program of the Texas Historical Commission. We showcase the people, places, and products that make the Texas experience unique, from our rich and diverse heritage to today’s art and culture. We tell the true stories worth sharing, the stories that invite travelers to get in the car and come see for themselves. We tell those stories through content equal to its subject — words and images that do our state proud. Authentic Texas is a full-color, slick magazine that promotes Texas people, places, events, and stories. Produced quarterly, Authentic Texas is available at no cost from more than 100 visitor centers, heritage sites, and select business establishments throughout the Lone Star State. Due to overwhelming demand, it is also available by subscription.