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TAYLOR, TEXAS
Williamson County,
Texas
Hill Country
Intersection of US 79 and Hwy 95
35 miles NE of Austin
Population: 11,472 (1990) 13,575 (2000)
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Birds-eye view of Taylor, Texas, looking North West
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Taylor
had several prosperous periods, sponsored in a large part by the cattle
and cotton industries.
One inventive theater/candy shop owner invented a sauerkraut-flavored
candy that was popular with locals, but failed to catch on nationally.
The secret of his success was having two long rows of candy cabinets
on either side of the theater's recessed entry. Moviegoers would be
forced to run the tempting gauntlet, and passersby could buy even
if they didn't want to see the show.
Taylor
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Looking
North on Main Street, Taylor, Texas
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
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Immanuel
Lutheran Church in Taylor
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2005 |
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St.
James Episcopal Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2005 |
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Contact the
Chamber for a driving tour map. Taylor has a wonderful array
of 19th Century buildings that went up after their devastating
fire in 1879. Sunday is a great day to visit downtown. Architectural
details abound in cast iron staircase supports, granite building
corner protectors (at least one) and stained glass and stone. Several
antique shops are open and so is the Moody Museum.
Taylor Public Library
More of Taylor's interesting and frequently offbeat history can
be found at the Taylor Public Library at 721 Vance Street.
512-352-3434.
Moody
Museum
by Mike Cox
Famous Sons
This restored Victorian House (c. 1887) was the birthplace of Governor
Dan Moody. While he's always mentioned for prosecuting the KKK
in Williamson County, he also brought honesty back to State Government
after the corrupt reign of the Fergusons (A Ma and Pa business,
if ever there was one), reclaiming hundreds of thousands of dollars
for Texas. As Governor, he also declared martial law in Borger and
sent in Texas Rangers to clean up the lawless element.
Other famous
sons include actor "Rip"
Torn and Bill
Pickett who liked his meat rare. Pickett was honored posthumously
with a postage stamp partially because of his talent of "bulldogging"
or throwing a bull by biting its upper lip. Someone suggested a
festival based on this unusual talent, but Taylorites decided they
would rather sack rattlesnakes.
Event
Plan to visit the Taylor Rattlesnake Sacking Championships
in March. Like Dave Berry says: "We are not making this up."
Call the Chamber.
Taylor
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Former
theatre in Taylor
TE photo |
Taylor
Architecture Past & Present
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Taylor
Chronicles
Battle
of Brushy Creek
by Mike Cox
More than a decade before Texas celebrated a centennial of independence
from Mexico by putting up hundreds of historical markers across
the state, the school children of Taylor collected money for a stone
marker commemorating a little-known fight between Comanche warriors
and Texas Rangers called the Battle of Brushy Creek. ... more
The
Banker
by
Mike Cox
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The
Odd Fellows Building in Taylor
Photo by John Troesser, 2004 |
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Nearby
Destinations
Hwy 95 South
16 miles to Elgin via Coupland
with its picturesque downtown and railroad depot, another 17 miles
south to Bastrop.
Hwy 95 North
34 miles to Temple.
Hwy 79 West
17 miles to Round Rock,
then I-35 South 18 miles to Austin.
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Taylor Tourist
Information
Taylor Chamber
of Commerce
- 512-365-8485
1519 North Main, Taylor, Texas 76574
Website: www.taylorchamber.org
Taylor
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Taylor Texas
Forum
Subject:
Blazilmar Hotel story
Dear TE, My grandparents (Paul and Eureka Ferguson) managed the
Blazilmar
hotel in Taylor, Texas, in the late 1950s and I spent several
summers there. I well remember James the elevator man and even helped
as his special assistant sometimes when he was busy with some chore
my grandmother thought up. He taught me how to ease the lever down
to stop exactly even with the floor so the guest doesn't trip.
Your reminiscence page brought back such a flood of old memories
it makes me eager to write an article for your magazine. Meanwhile,
[here is] my 2004 short story, set in 1958 at the Blazilmar. "Waiting
for Elvis" is fiction, but based on actual events. It won second
place in the Denver Woman's Press Club ---- In-House Writer's Contest
in 2005! - Shere Chamness, August 22, 2007
Subject:
Hotel
Blazilmar
I grew up in Taylor also and I remember the Blazilmar Hotel very
well. I have a brother that worked across the street at the Blazilmar
garage as a mechanic. I remember coming home from boot camp from
San Diego and arriving on a greyhound bus. - Bennie Mitchell,
Amarillo Texas, March 18, 2006
I'm looking
for historic information about Taylor Texas. My father James Vester
Taylor was born and grew up there. His father, Christopher Columbus
Taylor, married to Mary Alice Taylor had a cotton farm there for
their adult life. My father told me that we were descendents of
the naming Taylor, but he is since deceased and I have no further
information. Can you refer me to any links, books, etc., where I
might find information. Your site brought back memories. - Vera
(Taylor), Seattle, Washington, December 04, 2005
Thank you sooo
much for your coverage of Taylor! We really do appreciate it. You
do great work for our small towns! - Shelly Hargrove, Main Street
Project Manager
©
John Troesser
More Photos
by Barclay Gibson
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