| |
| This
is where we normally put our "History in a Pecan Shell", however Granger
presented us with a gift in the form (the rather long form) of Dan
Martinets, who was born, and raised in Granger and has recently returned.
Due to Mr. Martinets' generous gift of time and information, we're able to bring
you much more than our usual "Nutshell" history.
We
were invited to Mr. Martinets' house, and listening to his stories about Granger's
history was like watching a movie with the director beside you, for he was there
for some of the more interesting moments. See Granger
Chronicles According to Dan Martinet. |
| | Armistice
Day Westside of Granger
Martinets' store in background |
| | Armistice
Day Eastside
(Note effigy of Kaiser to left of flag) |
| Mr.
Martinets, who has sometimes been known as "St.
Dan", was born in 1920, less than a year from Armistice Day, which
Granger appropriately celebrated with joint, but separate festivities. For Granger
was Czech community on the west side of the railroad tracks and Anglo on the other.
Dan was from
the west side and spoke no English until he went to school. He wasn't all that
excited about going, but took to it at once, with all of his grades being in the
90s except for penmanship, which was a lowly 83. Public School was on the Eastside
and the closing bell started the Czech boys on their mad dash to their own territory. |
| | Miniature
Cotton Bales on their way to the Texas Centennial (1936). Hats courtesy of Amon
Carter |
| | SPJST
Building and Band. c1909
Rhinehart Hotel is visible behind parapet of small
building. |
| | | | Martinets
Store in 1918 and the store today |
| | The
Hoxie House (Built in 1882, burned in 1934)
was already deteriorating in
the early 1900s when this picture was taken. |
John R.
Hoxie was once mayor of Chicago and the house was a centerpiece of a 9,000 acre
ranch where he bred horses and cattle. Later the ranch was broken up into small
parcels and became the community of Hoxie, Texas.
You could see the Capitol
Building in Austin from the widow's
walk of the house.
Austin
Hotels > Book Your
Hotel Here & Save |
Gassing
up the Goodrich Flyer c. 1923.
Dan Martinets (seated) with his father, an
early aviation fan. |
Granger
Through The Years by Clay Coppedge
Dan Martinets used to walk along
the railroad tracks running through the heart of his hometown, Granger, and dream
of getting on one of those trains and never coming back.
That was in the
1920s, when both Granger and Martinets were young and in their prime. Now Granger
would seem to be yet another small town with a great future behind it and Martinets
has passed on; he died two days before Christmas last year... more |
| Nearby Destinations
Take Hwy 95 South
7 miles to Taylor, another 16 miles to
Elgin via Coupland, another 17 miles south to BastropHwy
95 North 34 miles to Temple, passing
through the charming town of BartlettFM
971 west 15 miles to Georgetown.Lake
Granger / Friendship
Granger
Tourist Information can be obtained at the city offices. |
Granger Texas Forum How
exciting to see such a wonderful history of this small town my Father remembers
so fondly! ... Thank You! - Cindy Nemec Lloyd
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
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© John Troesser
Granger Images Courtesy of Dan
Martinets | |
| Equal
Before the Lens: Jno. Trlica's Photographs of Granger, Texas |
| | | |
