Attractions
Mary was a Biter – A firsthand account of the United Sates 1976 Bicentennial Wagon Train Celebration
By Jessica Crabtree
In 1976 there was a nationwide endeavor to celebrate the United States with a bicentennial wagon train as a tribute to historical events leading up to the creation of the United States of America as an independent republic. Around the country, wagons and teams hitched up and headed out across the United States, meeting other wagons from various legs of the journey whether it be the southern trail or Oregon trail, all destined for Valley Forge, Pa. The wagons representing the southern part of the United States met in Houston, Texas, in January of 1976. Each state was represented with an official state wagon. The custom wagons were crafted in Pennsylvania, almost a replica of those from the great wagon trains of history, complete with wooden wagon wheels.
The teamstress or wagon mistress who represented the Lone Star state was Hazel Bowen of Antelope, Texas. A well-known, strong, southern, Texas woman, Bowen was a widow whose husband was a WWI veteran, tough as nails and chewed tobacco. While each state was represented, independent wagons were also welcomed. J.B. Hampton was originally from Megargel, Texas, but met and married a Chico gal, afterword relocating to Wise County. Hampton’s childhood friend, and owner of Megargel Drilling Company, was Red Livingston. Livingston traveled to Tennessee and bought an old John Deere farm wagon, customized it with rubber tires and hydraulic brakes (for Hampton to take on the wagon train.) Thereafter, he purchased a fancy customized harness set and two Belgian-bred Tennessee Mules (Belgian mare/ Tennessee mammoth Jack) known for their size, named Emma and Mary.
On Jan. 4, 1976, Hampton began his journey from Houston to Pennsylvania. As the wagon train progressed across each state border, their state wagon set out. Along the way independent wagons, buggies and riders horseback registered and joined the wagon train. In 1976 Bill Steward was 17 years old. With relatives in Wise County, but living in Oklahoma, a young Steward went with family to see the wagon train pass through Oklahoma City in mid February.
To read more pick up a copy of the August 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Hazel Brown was from Antelope, Texas and was the teamstress for the official state of Texas wagon during the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration. (Courtesy photo)
Bill Steward with his wife, Kelly Richey Steward. (Courtesy photo)
On The Road With Dave Alexander
Rarely will you find an event center that includes a music venue, a steakhouse and a wildlife refuge all rolled into one.
Oak Meadow Ranch has been welcoming guests for over two decades with one thing in mind, your complete happy experience.
The Chef Dinner and Exotic Animal Experience includes a four-course meal followed by a hands-on experience with exotic animals.
You can catch up with Dave at the Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, or at the Irving Symphony Orchestra in Irving, Texas on November 9. To read more about his experience at Oak Meadow Ranch, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print.
To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Lindsey Monk
On Aug. 22, 2024 at 11:40 p.m., the Remington fire jumped the line in Wyoming to burn towards Montana at a high rate of speed. The fire burned 194,459 acres and over 41 miles from one end to the other in a span of two days. Livestock producers will be feeling the effects for years to come.
Pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
The GO TEXAN program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to showcasing and supporting Texas based busi- nesses. During the State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas each year, the program puts together the GO TEXAN pavilion. Within the pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, visitors have the opportunity to sample and shop Texas-based products, learn more about agriculture and participate in family-friendly activities.
In 2023, more than $1 million in revenue was generated across nearly 67,000 products sold. Businesses with products produced or processed in Texas are invited to apply to join the program, and can visit http:// www.gotexan.org/JOIN to apply.
When visiting the State Fair of Texas, make sure to visit the GO TEXAN pavilion to support businesses driving agricultural commerce and explore Texas agricultural commodities outside of North Texas.
The State Fair of Texas is held each year in the fall, and is considered to be the first of the “majors” shows for many students involved in showing livestock. Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and even llamas all have a class to enter at the fair.
For those not showing livestock, over a hundred creative arts classes are available to enter. Canned goods, photography, quilts, paintings, and butter sculptures are all displayed throughout the fair’s duration. Another contest judges a variety of antique collections and keeps them on display throughout the duration of the fair.
It’s not the State Fair of Texas without world-renowned food. The Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition.
The 2024 Finalists in the Savory category are: Dominican Fritura Dog (by Justin Martinez), The Drowning Taquitos (by Tony & Terry Bednar), Hippie Chips (by Rose and Tom Deschenes), Hot Chick-In- Pancake Poppers (by Palmer and Amanda Fortune), Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs (by Nick and Vera Burt).
In the Sweet category, the 2024 Finalists are: Nevins Nutty Bar- Laska (by Tami Nevins Mayes & Josie Mayes), Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon On A Stick (by Isaac Rousso), Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle (by Justin Martinez), Texas Sugar Rush Pickles (by Heather Perkins), and Tropical Two-Step Punch (by Binh Tran).
Livestock & contests schedule of events is available in the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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