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Top 10 Facts about Texas state

Texas is the largest state by population in the United States. It has an area of 268,820 square miles, about 7.4% of the total U.S.

This state has been known for cowboys, steak, ranches, guns, conservative politics, and the oil industry.

Texas is bordered by Mexican Gulf, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico. The closest Mexican states to Texas are Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, and Nuevo Leon.

Its most populous cities are Houston, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Greater Houston.

Famous for its barbecue and country music, the Lone Star, has is also the headquarter of several American corporations. Some of the corporations include pizza hut, AT&T, American Airlines and Keller Williams Realty.

Here are the top 10 facts about Texas State.

1. Before becoming an American State, Texas was ruled by more than seven nations

Photo by Pete unseth – Wikimedia

The Texas territory had more rulers than any in the United States. Throughout its history, six nations have raised their flag over Texas.

These countries are Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and lastly the United States.

It became a Mexican territory after Mexico won over Spain in 1821. A couple of years later Texas became a republic in 1836. In 1845, it joined the United States after the Civil War broke out.

After several years, 16 to be precise, Texas seceded together with 10 other states to form the Confederacy.

Today, you will find the flags of the nations at the six flags at the Texas theme park.

2. Texas was once an independent country

Texas was a sovereign state between 1836 and 1846. All this while, Mexico considered it a rebellious province during its entire existence.

This State was part of Mexico during the age of Manifest Destiny. At this time, newcomers to the region wanted their independence.  

It led to the Texas Revolution that lasted from October 1835 to April 1836. The result was the formation of the Republic of Texas.

A decade later, Texas agreed to join the United States. It was the 28th state to be admitted in 1846.

3. Texas State has been built and sustained by four major industries

Photo by Cgoodwin – Wikimedia

Four major industries have helped shape the Texas economy before World War II. These industries are cattle and bison, cotton, timber, and oil.

The cattle industry was leading as the main economic driver, creating the image of the Texas cowboy.

Then in the 19^th century, cotton and timber became major industries as the cattle industry declined. Later, oil deposits were discovered leading to an economic boom.

The State diversified its economy in the mid-20^th century through the high-tech industry.

Texas is the 2^nd state with the most fortune 500 company headquarters. There are 54 of them in Texas.

This state is among the leaders when it comes to tourism, agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace, and biomedical sciences.

4. The State of Texas experienced the worst disaster in US history

Galveston is an island city located about 50 miles southeast of Houston, Texas. This used to be the nation’s biggest cotton port. It attracted millionaires as well as arriving immigrants.

Then in 1900, an unfortunate thing happened. The state was hit by a Category 4 hurricane. It was a 15-foot storm with surges and winds of up to 140 miles per hour.

Unfortunately, only a few residents evacuated since the U.S. weather forecasters had downplayed warnings from their Cuban counterparts.

More than 8,000 people lost their lives. The entire island was submerged in water. After the storm had passed, a wall was built to raise the elevation of the island with sand.

Sadly, the island never regained its splendour after the storm. It is however home to more than 48, 000 people.

Another devastating hurricane in Texas was in 1915 and 1957, the latter killed more than 600 people.

5. Texas State has a ranch bigger than Rhodes Island

Photo by Cgoodwin – Wikimedia

Texas is a vast state and therefore it is no wonder that there is a ranch the size of Rhodes Island.

This ranch is King Ranch found in South Texas. It sits on 1,289 square miles. In comparison, Rhodes Island is 1,212 square miles. Another vast farm is a windmill farm that is 7 times bigger than Manhattan.

At King Ranch, there are 200 Quarter Horses and 35,000 cattle. This vast ranch is spread across 6 counties. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

The ranch was founded by Captain Richard King and Gideon K. in 1853.

6. Texas State uses its power grid

Texas is the only state in the continental U.S. with an electrical grid.

Most of us found out in 2020 after a massive winter storm came through Texas in February. The storm led to days of blackouts across the state.

The United States has three power grids: one for states east of the Rocky Mountains, one for states between the Pacific and the Rocky Mountains, and one for Texas.

In Texas, the power grid was established during WWII. This was done to make sure all of the Texas factories producing critical war supplies were self-sustainable.

This power grid is not subject to federal regulations since it has not crossed any state boundaries. Half of the power generated comes from natural gas.

7. Texas State is famous for its BBQ

Photo by Emerson Vieira on Unsplash

Texan BBQ is a traditional way of cooking meat, a method that is unique to Texan cuisine. This is one of the most famous types of barbecue on earth.

It was brought to central Texas by the Czech and German settlers during the mid-19^th century.

In Texas, the BBQ tradition is divided into four: Central Texas, West Texas, East Texas, and South Texas. Of these four, the most famous is the East and Central Texas varieties.

The East Texans cook until the meat can fall off the bone. They marinate their meat with a sweet tomato-based sauce and cook it over special hickory wood.

On the other hand, the Central Texans rub their meat with spices or black pepper and salt before cooking it over the indirect heat of either oak or pecan wood.

8. Dr Pepper was invented in Texas State

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

Dr Pepper is one of the oldest and most delicious soft drinks in the United States.

This drink was invented by Charles Alderton, a pharmacist at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, in 1885.

He was inspired by the scent of the drugstore and decided to make a carbonated drink to match the smell.

You can learn more about this invention at the Dr Pepper Museum located in the 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company.

The drink is now sold in Europe, Asia, North and South America. While in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, it is sold as an imported good.

9. Austin in Texas State is the capital of live music

In 1991, a musical discovery was made in Austin, Texas. It was discovered that the state had more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the nation.

There are more than 1,900 bands and performing artists, and more than 250 concert venues in Austin. The most famous street with live bands is 6^th Street.

One is sure to catch a show at any time while in Texas. 

10. The Frozen Margarita machine was invented in Texas

Photo by Sorrawis Chongcharoen on Unsplash

Another delicious invention with its roots in Texas is the frozen margarita machine. It was invented in Dallas by restaurateur Mariano Martinez.

His inspiration came from the Slurpee machines at 7-11. Mariano adapted a soft-serve ice cream machine to make frozen margaritas in 1971.

He then called it The World’s First Frozen Margarita Machine. This machine is now on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.