Huntsville, TX

What do you get when you combine a quaint little town amongst hills, tall trees, tailored streets and an Active square? Then you mix in a little...okay, a lot of History, President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas, a few prisons, massive expanse of State Owned land with grazing horses, cattle, crops and black and white striped workers herded by Prison Guards on horses? Then add up to 17,000 youth at any given time walking Sam Houston State Universities beautiful campus, winning football games, featuring Arts and Academics and is one of the fasted growing schools in Texas?

You get the one and only...

Huntsville became the home of Sam Houston, who served as President of the Republic of Texas, Governor of the State of Texas, Governor of Tennessee, U.S. Senator, and Tennessee congressman. General Houston led the Texas Army in the Battle of San Jacinto into the victory of the Texas Revolution. Houston has been noted for his life among the Cherokees of Tennessee, and - near the end of his life - for his opposition to the American Civil War, a position which was a very unpopular in his day.

Huntsville Texas feels like its History! Walking the square you will stop and read markers talking about how Sam Houston and his friends would sit and play checkers or whittle the day away while watching the comings and goings of the townspeople. Sam Houston State University shares the same area (across the street) from Houston's original homestead. The Sam Houston Museum is built next to his Homestead's and provides a day of History, fun and great sight seeing. 

Huntsville was also the home of Samuel Walker Houston(1864-1945), a prominent African-American pioneer in the field of education. He was born into slavery on February 12, 1864, to Joshua Houston, a slave owned by Sam Houston. Samuel W. Houston founded the Galilee Community School in 1907, which later became known as the Houstonian Normal and Industrial Institute, in Walker County, Texas.

In 1995, on the grounds of the old Samuel W. Houston Elementary School, the Huntsville Independent School District.

Along with the Huntsville Arts Commission and the high school's Ex-Students Association, commissioned the creation of The Dreamers, a monument to underscore the contributions made by the black community in the growth and development of Huntsville and Walker County.

This is one of the most impressive pieces I have ever seen.

 

The detail is gorgeous and worth seeing. Huntsville is filled with artistic pieces from many very talented artists.

The faces are created to depict the progression of time, beginning with the youth at the bottom, middle aged at the middle and the elders at top.

Beautiful piece!

Mr. Dan Phillips is a well known "local" gentleman here in Huntsville. Dan is well known for his "unconventional, eclectic" designs of homes. Dan's philosophy is that each and every person in this world deserves a home. Dan actually puts his money where his mouth is too. He collects remnants, old boards, nails, broken glass, chipped concrete, cracked wood and any other "creative" piece of leftover building material and waves his magic hands. Up comes a home fit to be enjoyed by anyone at a cost of at least 1/2 the local average price. Dan gleans pleasure from teaching an Eco Friendly lesson to all that want a home. Dan Phillips is making his own history for our little town of Huntsville, Texas. Please watch this video and enjoy... 

I was lucky enough to grow up in the small town of Huntsville Texas and I have many memories there. Our Prison system has always been a seed for jokes...I tell everyone that I grew up on the outside. Ha-ha.  I was going to share a story with you that is special to me and not something everyone would get to do!

Back in 19...uh, well, what the heck...1969, I was assigned a special "writing" report for English class. I had a boyfriend, and his father was on the Board of Directors of The Texas Prison System and he was in charge here in Huntsville.

Downtown Huntsville, is the Prison Unit called "The Walls" and it houses the worst of the worst criminals. Many of these prisoners are on death row.

Due to my connection I was allowed to interview a man that was serving life in prison right there at the walls. He was very old but full of colorful information!

This man (I will call him George) was serving time consecutively with Clyde Barrow. 

  

Clyde met, and fell in love with Bonnie just after being thrown into one of Huntsville's prison units. He was a part of the labor crew

digging out white rock from one of our quarries. 

George knew Clyde personally and gave me incredible insights into his character and attitudes.

George told me a girlfriend was sending Clyde many a letter, love letters at times and angry letters at other times. Clyde was known to be a real Casanova.

  

Clyde shared a great deal of personal information with the general cell mates which later posed as bad news for Clyde.

He shared a bit too much and some of the details were later used against him in the locating of CW Moss, one of their right hand men.

 

Although Clyde grew up in a poor home, he never really acclimated to hard work. George told me about the day when they were on Quarry duty. The sun was hot, the men were weak and tired and Clyde took his shovel and chopped off a couple of his toes from his own foot.

George said that the day Clyde got back to his cell from his medical stay in the prison was the very day Clyde's news was delivered to his cell.  Clyde had been officially released from TDC and would be going home. History tells us that was the beginning, and the end of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

George said he believed the "higher ups" had planned it that way just to punish Clyde............................................could be.

div>

Please come visit Huntsville, Texas when you can. There is much beauty and history to be shared.

For more information contact me at

www.brooksprimeproperties.com

and Proud of it!  

YUP, that's right here in the Houston area the rodeo is in full swing. It really is a something to see. The actual rodeo itself last for about three weeks, but the whole thing is over a month long from start to finish. So if you want to make it this year you have about a week left as it ends the 22^nd of March. Do not worry though if you do not make it this year. Come on down next year. Here is a link to the official site.

I will try and walk you through all of the major events in the order they occur. But first a little history, the actual rodeo started back in 1931 and was held downtown. Then about 1957 some people got together and decided to help promote the rodeo they would have trail ride before the rodeo. Now it is the precursor to the rodeo.

Once the trail riders are all gathered in town at memorial park a parade is thrown the next day. After the parade we have what we call the cook off, a three day event of smoking different types of meats and partying. Now don't get me wrong there is some serious cooking going on so they can win the prize of World Champion.

Now we start with the livestock show and rodeo, oh by the way the world's largest. You know what they say about Texas everything is bigger and better. Okay, I may have added that last part about being better. Now of course with this we have to have a carnival for kids of all ages including myself. What ever you do, don't forget to bring your wallet because it is going to cost to play at the carnival.

The livestock portion is broken down into two parts the first part is for the professional breeders to show their stock and get some business. Then the second half it the kids turn. Here is where the kids bring their animals for judging. In the end there is an auction for all of the animals which helps raise money for scholarships for the kids. Did I mention that was the main goal of this rodeo, well shame on me for waiting so long to tell you.

While you are in the livestock show you can shop for everything from tractors to leather belts. They also have a art show of drawings and paintings from local high school kids that will simply amaze you at the talent of these kids. Another fact for you now is that this rodeo is put on by 19,000 volunteers!

If that is not enough they have music's top performers putting on a show after the rodeo each night. Oh did I mention we have a rodeo going on also.Now they have taken the astrodome and made it into honky tonk known as the hideout, where they have different performers putting on a show

What I am saying is come early, be prepared to stay late, eat lots of food, and get entertained.

Lake Livingston Real Estate...that's what's HOT!

Have you heard the old saying?

Each day a man spends fishing is NOT deducted from his life.

It just makes you want to fish every day doesn't it?

Well, here you can! Sitting on the banks of Lake Livingston or boating our waterways you won't be disappointed!

At least once a week I'm asked, "how's the fishing and what kind of fish do you have there?" Yes, there are others but these are the most predominant fish that can be found here at the lake.

Get your fishing poles ready and CATCH.....

The Largemouth Bass -

Fishes Found in Texas Fresh Waters

Black Basses

• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Spotted bass
• Guadalupe bass

Black Bass Identification Guide

True Basses

• White bass
• Yellow bass
• Striped bass
• Hybrid striped bass

White/Striped Bass Identification Guide

Bluegill -

Sunfishes

• Bluegill
• Green sunfish
• Longear sunfish
• Redbreast sunfish
• Redear sunfish
• Warmouth

Carp and Minnows

• Common carp
• Grass carp
• Texas shiner
• Golden shiner
• Blacktail shiner
• Red shiner
• Fathead minnow

Gar

• Alligator gar
• Longnose gar
• Shortnose gar
• Spotted gar

Suckers

• Bigmouth buffalo
• Black buffalo
• Smallmouth buffalo

Catfish and Bullheads

• Blue catfish
• Channel catfish
• Flathead catfish
• Black bullhead
• Yellow bullhead

Channel and Blue Catfish Identification Guide

Crappie

• White crappie

Other Fishes

• American eel
• Bowfin
• Chain pickerel
• Freshwater drum
• Red drum
• Paddlefish
• Rainbow trout
• Rio Grande cichlid
• Gizzard shad
• Threadfin shad
• Walleye

Lake Records Thank you for the information provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife!
Current Fishing Report
Stocking History

For more Lake Livingston, What's Hot about our SPOT? Articles by Debra A Brooks, Lake Livingston Waterfront Specialist, click here:

Fishing Regulations

Statewide regulations apply to all fishes with the exception of blue and channel catfish. For portions of the lake in Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties, the daily bag and possession limit for blue and channel catfish is 50.

Angling Opportunities

Lake Livingston is a notable white bass fishery. White bass are plentiful and grow to large sizes. Also notable is the catfish fishery, dominated by blue catfish. Largemouth bass, striped bass, and crappie are less abundant but good catches are possible in areas of the reservoir where habitat is available.

Fishing Cover/Structure

Some native emergent vegetation can be found in the upper areas of the reservoir. Very little cover exists in the lower reservoir due to vertical bulkhead.

Tips & Tactics

White bass are most readily caught in early spring in the many creeks that feed into Lake Livingston. Striped bass can be caught around the 190 bridge area by trolling and vertical jigging spoons or live shad. Largemouth bass are most frequently caught in the bays and creeks from the Kickapoo/Penwaugh area northward. Spring and fall are the most successful seasons for largemouths. Channel and blue catfish can be caught most any time of year on a variety of organic and live baits over the main river channel and in off channel tributaries and creeks.

• General Fishing Rules for Fresh and Salt Waters
• Reservoir Boundaries
• Freshwater/Saltwater Boundary
• Definitions
• Legal Freshwater and Saltwater Devices and Restrictions for Fish
• Freshwater Fishing Harvest Regulations
  • Statewide Bag and Length Limits
  • Exceptions to Statewide Freshwater Harvest Regulations
• How to Attach Fish Tag
• How to Measure Fish and Crabs
• Tips for Releasing Fish
• Identification of Yellow, White, Striped, and Hybrid Striped Bass
• Identification of Smallmouth, Guadalupe & Spotted, and Largemouth Bass
• Identification of Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish
• Saltwater Fishing - General Information
• Bag and Length Limits for Saltwater Fish
• Saltwater Freeze Events
• Shrimp Regulations
• Crab and Ghost Shrimp Regulations
• Oyster Regulations
• Other Aquatic Life (Fresh and Salt Waters)

and Proud of it! Deb

HUNTSVILLE TEXAS REAL ESTATE IS PROUD TO BE BEAUTIFUL.

Way back, I'm not saying how far, I hold in my mind a memory of Paradise. It is a memory of an oasis in the middle of the Texas Piney Woods. I had never seen anything so beautiful. As a young teen my friends and I would pile into a car and head for what we called the Rock Quarry. The Rock Quarry was out in the middle of Pine Forests in the quaint town of Huntsville, Texas.

Dive into the Blue Lagoon...What's hot about our spot?

Many of us can reach back to our childhood memories, pull them out of our

pocket and manage to smile. This memory is a great one for me!

We would drive down a dirt road through massive Pines, old fences, bluffs and the occasional broken down cabin. We came to a clearing that I was certain God had placed there for me! It was an Oasis just for us!

We would park and walk a few steps and we would be at the edge of the most beautiful white rock bluff that dropped sharply to the bluest water I had ever laid my eyes on.

It was the spot I got most of my sunburns. It was the spot I dared to jump from the bluff into the clear depths of infinity. We would swim till our arms would not let us anymore.

We would sun on the bluff as if worshipping the sun and the sky. We made memories of paradise.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ALL ABOUT PARADISE! FOUND IN HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS.

I've just discovered that it's still there! I have been back in Huntsville for 12 years now. I have asked everyone where it was! No one could answer...

Weird, huh? Well, Adam Waldman, of Local Expert of Active Rain Network encouraged us to learn more about our area, write articles and publish as a ReLocation Package. I listened and I did it.

Voila! The internet is amazing, wonderful and full of answers! I FOUND MY PARADISE and now it can be yours too!

What I learned: In 1986 my rock quarry was turned into a Professional Diving Resort! Here's the scoop.

Blue Lagoon-

Primarily for divers; sparkling artesian springs feed old rock quarry creating a beautiful environment for scuba diving.

Submerged boats, planes, and platforms are strategically placed in two lagoons. How cool is that? Non-divers must be accompanied by diver. This means, of course, I may never be able to swim here again...Open Mar. - mid-Nov. Mon. - Fri. 10 Am., - 6 p.m., Sat. 8 Am., - dusk; Sun. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Seven miles north on FM. 247; west one mile to Pine(tale Rd.; or from 1-45, Exit 123 (Pinedale Rd.) four miles east.

This is a map, directions and information about the Blue Lagoon near Huntsville, Texas.

Directions: Go I-45 N. past Huntsville to exit 123-FM 1696, Right 3 miles and it will be on the left.

Click here for the Yahoo map

Rates, Rentals & Hours of Operation

Diver Per Day $15.00
Non-Diver Per Day $15.00
Air Refills $8.00
Tank Rentals Per Day $12.00

May - October Weekdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Last open weekend ends in December. Reopen in March.

649 Pinedale Rd Huntsville, TX 77320-1488

It is everything I remembered it to be. How lucky we were as teens to be able to swim here at will.

Call the Blue Lagoon for your Professional Diving needs today!

It's Paradise. Just like I said.

Deb

Click on the links below to read more articles in Deb's "What's HOT about our SPOT?" series.

Everything's bigger in Texas...What's HOT about our SPOT?

What's HOT about our SPOT? Huntsville Texas Real Estate...

and Proud of it! Deb For more information about our area: www.brooksprimeproperties.com