Bluest sky with painted branches in Marathon, TX
Showing posts with label Rural Texas Town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rural Texas Town. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sealy: A Sad & Dying Little Texas Town
While the G-man was playing in a golf tournament nearby I thought I'd check out another cute little Texas town, but I was very disappointed in the old downtown area. It is disintegrating at a steady pace. There were a few stores open, but with the exception of a few trucks at a meat market there seemed to be few people visible. There is no lovely courthouse nor is there a town square which one many times finds in these small Texas towns.
Sealy, TX is just about 20 miles west of Houston on Interstate 10 in Austin County. The population is somewhat under 10,000 people (it was 5,248 in the 2000 census). There is no notable industry in the town. A Walmart is on the outskirts of the town which seems to be the largest single business.
Crossroads at the center of downtown.
Cars & trucks are lined up near a quick shop & a meat market. There is an antique store and a resale shop across the street from each other, but there were few customers to be seen.
One young family out for a Saturday of shopping.
Antiques for sale in this little falling-down business.
This is a long deserted warehouse of some kind; perhaps a cotton gin as I feel this part of Texas could have grown cotton at one time.
Even though the businesses look sad and dilapidated the homes are rather pretty with immaculate lawns. Some of the photos below are of the older homes in the town. I suspect that being so close to Houston there are many people who commute to the big city to work.
This is the first home I photographed. The photo below is a detail of the porch.
The G-man & I love porches and swings but have neither at our own home. Pity.
We continue to mull over ways to make that change, but so far have not come up with a suitable arrangement.
Many people have swings hanging from trees in their yards.
I thought this one particularly pretty.
Pretty, well kept homes and gardens.
These pretty homes make one wonder why the downtown area isn't in better condition.
Below is an interesting little grouping of birdhouses.
They were in the corner yard of the house pictured above.
This pretty little cottage had a historic marker at the curbside although I did not stop to read it.
Another swing in the garden at a group of rather new town houses.
Even the most modest home has a pretty yard.
Sealy, TX is just about 20 miles west of Houston on Interstate 10 in Austin County. The population is somewhat under 10,000 people (it was 5,248 in the 2000 census). There is no notable industry in the town. A Walmart is on the outskirts of the town which seems to be the largest single business.
Crossroads at the center of downtown.
Cars & trucks are lined up near a quick shop & a meat market. There is an antique store and a resale shop across the street from each other, but there were few customers to be seen.
One young family out for a Saturday of shopping.
Antiques for sale in this little falling-down business.
This is a long deserted warehouse of some kind; perhaps a cotton gin as I feel this part of Texas could have grown cotton at one time.Even though the businesses look sad and dilapidated the homes are rather pretty with immaculate lawns. Some of the photos below are of the older homes in the town. I suspect that being so close to Houston there are many people who commute to the big city to work.
This is the first home I photographed. The photo below is a detail of the porch.
The G-man & I love porches and swings but have neither at our own home. Pity.We continue to mull over ways to make that change, but so far have not come up with a suitable arrangement.
Many people have swings hanging from trees in their yards. I thought this one particularly pretty.
Pretty, well kept homes and gardens.
These pretty homes make one wonder why the downtown area isn't in better condition.
Below is an interesting little grouping of birdhouses.They were in the corner yard of the house pictured above.
This pretty little cottage had a historic marker at the curbside although I did not stop to read it.
Another swing in the garden at a group of rather new town houses.
Even the most modest home has a pretty yard.Sunday, July 5, 2009
Historic Residential Area of Bastrop... and a few thoughts
Continued from yesterday's Fourth of July walk. Let's go on a little stroll around the more historic area of Bastrop, Texas. As you can see the town folk are ready for the Fourth of July celebrations. Oh yes, there will be a pet parade today for the opening of the new Bark Park. Gertie & I are going to pass on this because it takes place mid-day and may be too hot for two old girls like us.
After we left the downtown area the morning of the Fourth, we went to see how the residences were decorated. We happened upon a yard sale with lots of knickknacks, old furniture, posters etc. for sale. Of course we passed ~ at this stage I need to be getting rid of things and not adding to my stash!
As we walked along looking at the pretty houses, speaking to people, enjoying the morning, I thought about how lucky we are to live in a free society. We as a society have come a long way since my childhood... that is not to say we have reached the pinnacle, but we have advanced in what we are supposed to be as humans.
A good deal of this advancement is due to our government and our leaders. When I was in my late teens segregation ended, the Voter Rights Act was passed, in the 1970s people became more adjusted to sexual preferences of individuals, more people were able to receive a college education, and women began to have a larger roll in government and business.
Some people want government out of our lives, but I can't help but think if we had not had government insistence that we behave more like human beings then we may still be in the darker days. There is much more to do, but if our children have been taught well the progress will continue.
I feel lucky to live in a society where the government does try to do the right thing. After all the government is of the people; it is a reflection of us. Thankfully there are more caring, deeper and long-term thinking people that elect visionaries to guide us.
Beautiful home & garden.
Old fashioned mailboxes and a bicycle for decoration.
More old houses that are inviting from the outside.
Back to the stately homes. Some have flags hanging from posts. Happy birthday, America.
The corner grocery. Tracy's Drive-In Grocery.
The last of the houses that we shall be viewing today.
Handmade rocking horse complete with mop for tail!
It looks more like a rocking dog, but how cute & original.
This house is sporting the American and Texas flags.
Porch swings above & below.
Ahhh, peace & quiet on a summer morning or evening.
After we left the downtown area the morning of the Fourth, we went to see how the residences were decorated. We happened upon a yard sale with lots of knickknacks, old furniture, posters etc. for sale. Of course we passed ~ at this stage I need to be getting rid of things and not adding to my stash!
As we walked along looking at the pretty houses, speaking to people, enjoying the morning, I thought about how lucky we are to live in a free society. We as a society have come a long way since my childhood... that is not to say we have reached the pinnacle, but we have advanced in what we are supposed to be as humans.
A good deal of this advancement is due to our government and our leaders. When I was in my late teens segregation ended, the Voter Rights Act was passed, in the 1970s people became more adjusted to sexual preferences of individuals, more people were able to receive a college education, and women began to have a larger roll in government and business.
Some people want government out of our lives, but I can't help but think if we had not had government insistence that we behave more like human beings then we may still be in the darker days. There is much more to do, but if our children have been taught well the progress will continue.
I feel lucky to live in a society where the government does try to do the right thing. After all the government is of the people; it is a reflection of us. Thankfully there are more caring, deeper and long-term thinking people that elect visionaries to guide us.
Beautiful home & garden.
Old fashioned mailboxes and a bicycle for decoration.
More old houses that are inviting from the outside.
Below are items from the yard sale.
Cute old toys, knickknacks, lighting fixtures, posters were for sale.
Cute old toys, knickknacks, lighting fixtures, posters were for sale.
Back to the stately homes. Some have flags hanging from posts. Happy birthday, America.
The corner grocery. Tracy's Drive-In Grocery.
The last of the houses that we shall be viewing today.
Handmade rocking horse complete with mop for tail!
It looks more like a rocking dog, but how cute & original.
This house is sporting the American and Texas flags.
Porch swings above & below.Ahhh, peace & quiet on a summer morning or evening.
Back home. The sun is shining brightly with blue sky above the pine trees.
We need flags ( U. S. & Texas) for our house... next year perhaps.
We need flags ( U. S. & Texas) for our house... next year perhaps.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Birthday USA from Bastrop!
This morning Gertie & I went to downtown Bastrop to see the U. S. American flags along the street. We were early & the flags had not been placed. As you can see there are a few folks gathering for an early breakfast or coffee. Maxine's on Main is a gathering place for many of the old-time locals.
At least some of the businesses had put up their bunting in anticipation of the day's celebrations.
While we were waiting for the flags to arrive Gertie & I began to walk around taking photos & enjoying the morning.
Grace Miller's Cafe ~ Lunch & Dinner Served
Tea & Sympathy Tea Room. This looks like a fun little tea room to visit.
Iced Tea just $1.00
Gertie is checking out the little bird houses.
The patio at the Tea Room
Peeking through the window of the Tea Room
Gertie is patiently waiting. She's such a good girl!
The old county jail above and below is the Bastrop County Courthouse.
A couple of restaurants located on Main Street. Green Chai Cafe, a new place to lunch and Maxine's on Main, an old hangout for the locals.
The American flags have arrived. David Lewis (right) and Mike Kurley (center) are getting the flags placed.
Below Linda Roberts is a happy flag bearer.
All the work is paying off.
The breeze came up and the flags are waving in the wind.
So beautiful.
Flags and flowers.
Let's walk across the old bridge that spans the Colorado River.
Gertie is enjoying our stroll around town.
Kayaking on the Colorado. This is so much fun; I especially enjoy kayaking in the fall when the weather is a bit cooler & the leaves are changing along the river bank.
Hike & bike trail along the river.
The Bastrop Fire Department.
To be continued... Visit with us tomorrow for a stroll through the historic residential area of Bastrop. I hope you have enjoyed seeing our little downtown area. Happy Fourth of July!! Be safe!
At least some of the businesses had put up their bunting in anticipation of the day's celebrations.
While we were waiting for the flags to arrive Gertie & I began to walk around taking photos & enjoying the morning.
Grace Miller's Cafe ~ Lunch & Dinner Served
Tea & Sympathy Tea Room. This looks like a fun little tea room to visit.
Iced Tea just $1.00
Gertie is checking out the little bird houses.
The patio at the Tea Room
Peeking through the window of the Tea Room
Gertie is patiently waiting. She's such a good girl!
The old county jail above and below is the Bastrop County Courthouse.
A couple of restaurants located on Main Street. Green Chai Cafe, a new place to lunch and Maxine's on Main, an old hangout for the locals.
The American flags have arrived. David Lewis (right) and Mike Kurley (center) are getting the flags placed.Below Linda Roberts is a happy flag bearer.
All the work is paying off.The breeze came up and the flags are waving in the wind.
So beautiful.
Flags and flowers.
Let's walk across the old bridge that spans the Colorado River.
Gertie is enjoying our stroll around town.
Kayaking on the Colorado. This is so much fun; I especially enjoy kayaking in the fall when the weather is a bit cooler & the leaves are changing along the river bank.
Hike & bike trail along the river.
The Bastrop Fire Department.
To be continued... Visit with us tomorrow for a stroll through the historic residential area of Bastrop. I hope you have enjoyed seeing our little downtown area. Happy Fourth of July!! Be safe!
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