Category: traditions
Babyhead Cemetery Legend
Happy October!
Especially around Halloween, folklore seems to become more popular and tales that hint of gruesome details are told and retold.
Such is the fate of the origin of Babyhead Cemetery in the Texas Hill Country. Now admittedly when you put those two words together a gruesome backstory seems to be guaranteed. I’ll let you decide.
The cemetery is about ten miles north of Llano, in an area where the town of Babyhead once stood, by a mountain of the same name. In the mid-1800s it was a respectable size settlement, with a school, post office, courthouse and a few businesses. It eventually faded away and became a ghost town, with the remaining few citizens being absorbed into the city of Llano.
All that’s left of the community is a cemetery. Babyhead Cemetery. A place visited by more ghost enthusiasts than historians.
The Story
Local tradition shared that the town got its name in the 1850s, when a small child was kidnapped and killed by Indians trying to discourage settlers. Most versions include the grisly detail that the child’s head was left on a stake at the base of the mountain as a warning. Legend has it that the town was named in her memory.
The cemetery today has a few dozen well-kept but weathered graves that date from the early 2000s back to the oldest – that of a child named Jodie May McNeely who died on New Year’s Day in 1884.
Now we all know the old game of “telephone” or “post office” where one person says something, the next repeats it but a few facts change and so on. That’s how most local legends take shape.
Young Jodie’s grave is the one many visitors associate with the grim story, and that’s where they leave remembrances…dolls, toys, cards, candy…all for the child who they associate with the tale of another child who lost her life much too soon.
But at least Jodie is being visited.
A Texas State Historical marker was placed at edge of the cemetery in 1991 that shares a brief version on the story.
Another Option
Unless it was a community of ghouls, it would be very strange indeed to name your town, post office and even your children’s school Babyhead if the event truly occurred.
There is a large creek that runs past the former townsite. Remember that a moving body of water is referred to as a “head.” Unusually, this site also has a smaller creek that runs toward it nearby, right where Babyhead Road is today.o m
Hmmmm…..so if the major water was referred to as the Head, perhaps the settlers referred to the smaller creek as the Baby Head. Seems to make sense to me.
But legends and offerings persist, and really…who knows? You’ll have to decide for yourself.
Would you visit a cemetery named Babyhead?
Under Way Once Again: Battleship Texas
This week the USS Texas, the only surviving WWI dreadnought battleship, moved from her longtime berth at the historic San Jacinto Battleground Site to a dry dock in Galveston for major repairs.
A veteran of two world wars, the Texas has a spectacular service record that defies belief. So happy to witness her safe journey today, escorted by local boaters, dolphins, pelicans, sea turtles and other wildlife that seemed to take a great interest in the goings-on.
I viewed her passage from the end of the Texas City Dike, the longest and-made fishing pier in the world, stretching 5.3 miles out into the Gulf. A couple of thousand other enthusiasts visited and shared stories during the hours-long wait for her appearance. It was more than worth the wait! We cheered as she slowly passed by, and was greeted by cannon fire salute from a spirited group of re-enactors.
Now the Texas will remain in a Galveston dry dock receiving repairs and TLC, while her final destination in Texas is decided!
Happy Trails! Texas Independence Trail Riders
Texas Trail Rides are a Houston tradition in all the best ways! They celebrate history, get people outdoors, involve animals (yes, please!), and bring families together.
Yesterday I met up with the Texas Independence Trail Riders, one of eleven rides who make their way to Houston in time for the Houston Rodeo Parade. After having no rodeo last year, this year’s ride seems like a special celebration.
True to the Texas spirit, the trail rides originated due to a bit of bragging, a dare, and a sense of fun. In 1952 the mayor of Brenham, Reese Lockett, shared stories about his younger years on a ranch when they drove cattle from Central Texas winter pastures to the coastal salt grasses in warmer weather.
Listening to the tales, a group of Houston journalists and rodeo officials dared him to retrace the old trail from Brenham to Houston in time for that year’s rodeo, and he accepted. The ride was shared with the public by a television reporter who went along for the ride in a covered wagon.
That first ride stirred up a wave of nostalgia for the bygone days of Texas, and the next year a group of about 80 ranchers and cowboys (all men) gathered together to ride the Salt Grass Trail. By the following year 800 people wanted to be a part of this Romantic re-enactment.
Today, thousands of people (men, women and children) participate in the 11 trail rides that wind along their own specific routes from all over Texas and Louisiana covering a cumulative 1,300 miles! The Valley Lodge Trail, at 71.5 miles, is the shortest. The Mission Trail ride covers 239 miles between San Antonio and Houston, winning the prize for longest ride.
The fun thing for those of us not lucky enough to saddle up and ride along is that the groups make many stops along the way. A quick check of the trail maps on rodeohouston.com will reveal which ride passes closest to you and the locations of their planned stops.
The Texas Independence Trail Riders pass through my area and that, with the combination of the fact that they were founded in my birth year, makes it a must-see on my calendar every year. And honestly . . . where else are you going to be able to see a trail ride pass the space shuttle?
It’s such fun to see multiple generations enjoying the experience, all of the wonderful Western wear, three century-old wagons, people of all ages coming out to see them and – of course – all of the animals. This particular ride works year-round to support special needs children, Texas EquuSearch and families in need. Many of the horses on their ride are actually rescued animals.
The rides also stop at local schools so that children can experience the animals, wagons and participants. I was with them yesterday when they made one of these stops and I cannot overstate the joy on the faces of the children – and their teachers.
I have a huge amount of respect for the families that carry on this tradition. Many have to take time off from work and other obligations to participate. Along the multiple day rides they camp out in a variety of locations, and there always seem to be a few “weather challenges.” But whatever it takes, they all seem to do it with a smile and are ready to share a wave and a chat to visitors along the way.
Happy Trails!
Valentine: A Tiny Town with a Big Heart
There’s a tiny town in far west Texas that really gets to the heart of things…and its name says it all: Valentine. The city limits sign lists its population as 217, but anyone who lives there will tell you that’s an exaggeration.
This time of year Valentine’s small post office is bustling, processing thousands of pieces of mail from all over the world – including 30 foreign countries. Surprised? You see, it’s become a tradition to send Valentines through the town’s post office so they receive special, customized romantic post marks that change every year. You can find all the details about that in one of my earlier blog posts, HERE.
Last year I sent my own round of Valentines through the post office, and this year I was happy to finally get to see the post office halfway between Marfa and Van Horn in person.
There are two versions of the story about how Valentine got its name, and locals happily embrace both. When a Southern Pacific Railroad crew finished laying tracks in 1882, they needed to establish a stopping point for fuel. Since it was Valentine’s Day, they named the station Valentine. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the president of Wells Fargo and a significant stock holder in the railroad was named John Valentine – so they could easily say it was in his honor as well.
Trains began running through the town in 1883, and in 1886 its now infamous post office was established.
By 1890, Valentine boasted about 100 citizens, two saloons, a general store, a hotel and a meat market. Ranchers in the area took advantage of the railroad to ship cattle out of town to markets.
The settlement has the unusual distinction of being the site of the largest earthquake known to have occurred in Texas. At 5:40 a.m. on August 16, 1931 a 6.5 magnitude quake really shook things up, damaging every building and even rotating gravestones in the local cemetery.
By the 1950s though, roadways and trucking were becoming more established and led to the demise of Valentine’s rail depot…and eventually local businesses. One that managed to stay open for years was a small café, where James Dean frequently ate while filming the 1956 movie “Giant” with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson nearby. Pretty big excitement for a small, dusty town.
Today Valentine looks a lot more like a classic ghost town, although it does still have living residents and even its own school. To find the post office you’ll need to drive west all the way (and yes, it only takes a minute) through Valentine past abandoned buildings, and the post office is on your right just at the edge of town.
If you can’t visit Valentine for yourself, mark your calendar to send your mail their way several weeks before their namesake holiday next year. It’s a sweetly unique Texas tradition.
A Granbury Carol Experience
When Brian Clowdus, the producer of the “Christmas Carol Experience” and other live “experience” performances, invited my family to attend, I quickly accepted. I had heard great things about his “Sleepy Hollow” production during October in the same town, so was anxious to see one of the shows for myself.
Clowdus is known for his site-specific, immersive, environmental theatrical experiences throughout the country. It’s the furthest thing from “sitting back and watching the action” that you can imagine.
The Christmas Carol Experience takes place in Granbury’s Dora Lee Langdon Mansion, which played a vital part adding to the authenticity of the scenes. Imagine wandering from room to room in a historic home and being enthralled with the conversations at Fezziwig’s Christmas party, in the home of Bob Cratchit, and even out to a courtyard which was transformed into an eerily lit cemetery for the funeral scene. The Victorian setting added to the feeling of stepping back in time and right into the Dickens classic.
If you’re lucky enough to go, you won’t just be watching, however. Audiences are limited to 50 visitors for each performance so that the entire cast and audience fits comfortably in each space, interacting, laughing together and learning the meaning of a life well spent. The small group makes the experience seem more like an intimate evening with friends.
Our group included mostly adults, but the ages ranged from about 8-80 and everyone seemed to find delight in the evening.
One of the things that impressed me was that a mere cast of five actors and two techs miraculously brought this fully immersive experience to life. How do you have a Christmas Carol experience without even a Tiny Tim? Let me let you on a secret…you won’t even miss the little guy! My daughter, a thespian herself, was impressed with what a full performance it felt like with so few people involved. The talented actors transfixed us with their performances, and had us gladly answering questions and laughing at improvisational comments interjected into the performance. They deftly managed to engage everyone in the action without breaking character or distracting from the storyline. Special lighting, sound effects and music enhanced each scene.
Our ticket included the VIP experience. Though I didn’t know exactly what to expect, it was enjoyable. Attendees with these tickets ordered free drinks (wine, cocoa and a special cocktail called the “Scrooge” (that will warm even the iciest heart) in a souvenir mug, and were ushered into the home a few minutes earlier than the rest of the audience to join members of the cast for cookies, games and singing Christmas carols. The cast members are so enjoyable and engaging, even the grumpiest of attendees found themselves joining in (even my husband…and that’s saying something!).
The evening ended in a flurry of snow that was greeted with gasps from the delighted visitors.
The month-long experience is quickly selling out due to its popularity and the limited audience size. If you miss out on this opportunity, I’ll see you at Clowdus’ next show – whatever it is!
VIP tickets $69, General admission $29-49
Ample, free parking is available across the street at the visitor’s center, and just a block from the welcoming Granbury Town Square, where the restaurant options are numerous and tempting. There was another special event on the Square, “Living Christmas Cards, the same night as we attended. If you find yourself in a similar scheduling situation, it’s advisable to arrive early to find parking. It’s also wise to make dinner reservations an any of the restaurants on the square as the Christmas spirit has this small Texas town bustling with locals and tourists.
Galveston’s Mardi Gras Houses
Looking for Mardi Gras festivities that are socially distant? Galveston Island has your answer.
Galveston Island has been celebrating Mardi Gras with citywide celebrations since 1871, and with private parties before that.
The town may be covered in sparkling lights for the Christmas season, but it bursts out in gold, green and purple for Mardi Gras. If you pass the houses at night and think you spot a Christmas tree inside a window, it’s most likely a Mardi Gras tree instead.
The annual parades have been cancelled this Carnival season for safety’s sake, but that won’t stop Galvestonians and their visitors from having fun. Taking a cue from New Orleans, instead of floats this year you’ll find “house floats” around the island.
Members of the Krewe of Saints who decorated their own homes complied a list of addresses so others can enjoy the fun. You can find an interactive map here.
On Saturday, February 13th between 5 and 7 p.m., some of the participating houses will have beads and surprises for strolling revelers in their neighborhoods.
If you’re driving through the neighborhoods rather than walking, be aware that some of the streets are one way. There are often quite a few cars parked in front of the houses, making the streets narrower to navigate.
Of course, there are more homes decorated than the ones owned by this one Krewe, and the best way to see them all is to drive or walk the streets looking for the festive trimmings. If you only have a limited time, I would suggest exploring Sealy an Ball Avenues.
If you’re looking for some edible treats to keep up your Mardi Gras energy, you can find Mardi Gras bagels and cookies at Patty Cakes Bakery, king cakes at Maceo Spice Company and delicious seafood gumbo at the Black Pearl.
Have fun and Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Roaming with Richmond Ghosts
‘Tis the season for ghostly fun…and boy did we find some in Richmond!
As a cemetery historian and author of a couple of books about cemeteries and ghosts, October is understandably a busy time of the year for me – filled with giving tours and presentations. So it was a special treat last night when my husband and I took time for ourselves to TAKE a ghost tour of the historic district of Richmond, Texas. It’s one I’ve been wanting to see for years, and now I can’t wait to go back with friends next year!
Richmond is filled with history, which usually – in turn – means that through the years tragedi
es and unfortunate events have affected the lives of those who lived there. We found out that even the clock tower of the Fort Bend County Courthouse (where we got our marriage license many moons ago) has a story of death and a haunting attached to it.
We were lucky enough to have Jessica Avery, programs coordinator for the Fort Bend Museum, as our tour guide – assisted by a charming group of other museum employees and volunteers.
One of the things I appreciate about ghost tours organized by historical society groups is that they have a respect for true history as their basis. (Read that as “they don’t just make up a bunch of stories and get their references to history muddled – -I’ve seen that done way too often.) Though the Fort Bend Museum does historical tours of their properties throughout the year so you can learn about the historic aspects of them, their ghost tours focus on the tales and legends associated with the places. So . . . much . . . fun.
And no, I’m not going to share the stories they worked so hard to gather here. I want you to hear them for yourselves in the spots where they occurred! 
It was an easy-paced walking tour as we followed Jessica through the streets nearby Moore Mansion and into old downtown Rosenberg as she pointed out different sites and shared their stories. Used to documenting with school groups, she has a lovely, clear speaking voice that was easily understandable even over the occasional street noise. The museum staff has visited with local business owners, so they’re able to share their unexplained experiences and sightings as well.
Several charming small buildings that belong to the group such as the McFarlane House are included, and attendees are encouraged to peek inside the windows! Charming by day, certain places with so much past can contain rooms where even the most serious-minded history experts may become so unsettled they have to gather their things and leave when darkness falls.
One of the properties even has a gravemarker in the front yard. What’s b
etter is that it belongs to Texas hero Deaf Smith “The Texas Spy!” His name may sound familiar to you if you took Texas history in school. I had no idea such an illustrious person’s commemoration would be found inside the white picket fence of the property. There may even be more unmarked graves beneath the house, which was moved to the property much later.
Our final stop of the evening was at the fascinating 1883 Moore Mansion, home base for the Fort Bend Museum. And they definitely saved the best for last!
If you haven’t heard it before – but you probably have if you read my blog – funerals “back in the day” were held at home, and the staff had set up an entire Victorian funeral scene in one of the rooms complete with a mounting wreath, coffin, samples of mourning jewelry and announcements, and draped mirrors and pictures. Beautifully done, and very appropriate for the Halloween season.
The house was lit throughout only with battery operated candles and hand held flashlights, which added to the mood. Our guides gave us a tour upstairs and downstairs while telling us some eerily intriguing tales, then let us wander through the large home by ourselves for a bit.
Sign up early – they do sell out. You can choose to do a Halloween tour of the Moore Home or a ghost tour of the area. We chose to do a combo tour of both because . . . who wants to choose?
The Fort Bend Museum has events throughout the year for all ages. You can check the upcoming plans here.
Cover Reveal Day for “A History of the Hotel Galvez”
It’s Cover Reveal Day!
I’m so excited to finally share the full cover of the upcoming ‘A History of the Hotel Galvez’ with you. Sending a huge thanks to the designers at
The History Press who put together the cover look during quarantine. I’m so happy with it, and receiving the image during the uncertain days of Covid was a great light to hold onto.
I really wanted to relay the historic element of of the hotel, and after going through the images I submitted I think they definitely chose a winner.
Today I’ll be reviewing the galleys (a final proof of the book with photo placements, etc.) and sending it back to the presses to become “real.”
Release day is February 1, and it’s already available for pre-order here.
I’m looking forward to sharing some of the amazing stories behind the “Queen of the Gulf.” Have you ever stayed at the Hotel Galvez?
A Ghostly Light on Bailey’s Prairie
A state as big as Texas is bound to have a lot of ghost stories. . . luckily for us!
The first tale I’ll share this October is probably one of the most famous to native Texans, and takes place in Bailey’s Prairie.
If you happen to be motoring south on Highway 35 and see a bouncing orange glow . . . it’s probably Old Brit Bailey in search of his jug of whiskey!
James Briton “Brit” Bailey was more than a real person. He was a real character. Known for his eccentric personality, love of drink and penchant for brawls, life was never dull in his presence. At six feet tall (quite a height for the time), was an imposing figure with his jet-black hair and broad brimmed hat.
“Brit” was born in North Carolina on August 1, 1779 in North Carolina. After fighting in the War of 1812 the pioneer came to Texas in 1818 with his second wife, Dot, six children and his slaves, settling in what came to be known as Brazoria County. Several years later Stephen F. Austin would arrive with the “Old Three Hundred” to settle parcels of land in the area.
Not one to pass up a fight or give ground on a cause he believed in, Brit was also a veteran of the Battle of Jones Creek in 1824, and the Battle of Velasco in 1832.
Locals love to share a story about the rowdy rancher that captures his personality. It seems that he shot at a traveling preacher’s feet to watch him dance. After the episode when the men were sharing a drink, the preacher took the opportunity to grab Brit’s gun and m
ade the same demand. Roaring with delight, Brit jumped onto a table and energetically danced a jig while onlookers applauded.
His temper was as legendary as his humor, and one night he apparently set fire to all the buildings on his own property except the main house.
On December 6, 1832 Brit passed away quietly in his own bed from fever that many think may have been cholera.
Peculiar instructions in his will provided one more surprise for the community. He had requested to be buried standing up (now that took a deep hole!), facing west with his rifle over his shoulder, powder horn by his side, and a jug of whiskey.
Brit didn’t want anyone passing by his grave saying, “There lies Brit Bailey” and he figured if her was standing up….they couldn’t!
He was buried in a grove near his home and though all his instructions were followed, his jug whiskey was omitted from the coffin. His widow objected to that item, saying he had imbibed enough in his lifetime.
According to legend his ghost in the form of a strange light roams his old homestead at Bailey’s Prairie looking for the lost jug of whiskey. Many describe it as having an orange glow and bobbing around about four to six feet above the ground – the eight a lantern might be held on horseback.
Back when the story originated, it was said that Old Brit searched the prairie every seven years, but either people weren’t paying attention or he’s getting thirstier because now Bailey’s Light is seen on a regular basis.
Naysayers theorize the glow is caused by puffs of natural gas escaping from the ground, but you’ll be hard pressed to convince witnesses of that.
Bailey’s Prairie, Brit Bailey Boulevard (FM 521) and even a local chapter of the DAR are named for this unique figure in Texas history.
Texas State Historical Markers telling Brit’s story can be found just outside the gates of Munson Cemetery. Unfortunately, someone has vandalized the emblem off of Brit’s marker. (Hope that Brit chased them!)
Are you brave enough to search out Bailey’s Light on a dark night on the prairie?
Subject a real person: Confirmed
Location: Bailey’s Prairie, Brazoria County. Stretch of Highway 35 between Angleton and West Columbia
Best time to see phenomenon: Twilight
For more Texas ghost stories check out
“Ghosts of Galveston,”
available on amazon.com.
