| |
Gassing
up the Goodrich Flyer c. 1923.
Dan Martinets (seated) with his father, an
early aviation fan. |
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.)
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. |
 |
| Davilla
Street awaiting a parade (Looking west - city hall building on right.) |
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 |
| | Armistice
Day Westside of Granger
Martinets' store in background |
| | Armistice
Day Eastside
(Note effigy of Kaiser to left of flag) |
| | | | Martinets
Store in 1918 and the store today |
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. |
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 |
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
Granger Images Courtesy
of Dan
Martinets
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
us. | |
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Before the Lens: Jno. Trlica's Photographs of Granger, Texas |
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