50 Fun Facts about Texas You Must Like to Know

Introduction

Texas is one of the 50 states that make up the US. In 1845, Texas became the 28th state to join the union. Except Alaska, Texas is the largest state in terms of area, located in the south-central region of the US. From north to south, the state stretches for around 1,000 miles (1,600 km), and from east to west, it is roughly the same length.

Let us discuss some 18 fun facts about Texas.

History

The region that is now Texas was initially inhabited at least 16,700 years ago. Native American groups, including the Akokisa, Karankawa, Mogollon, and Comanche, inhabited the area thousands of years later.

Among the first European settlers in what is now Texas were missionaries. After seizing possession of the territory in 1821, Mexico finally dubbed the region Coahuila y Tejas. However, the Texas Revolution started in 1835 when inhabitants in this province often referred to simply as Texas rebelled.

The Mexican army decisively defeated the rebels at the fight of the Alamo, a mission in San Antonio, in 1836. The settlers were only motivated to continue fighting by their defeat. Many joined the rebel army with the shout “Remember the Alamo” and Mexico eventually gave up.

In 1836, Texas gained its independence and became known as the Republic of Texas. However, Texas found it impossible to repel hostile tribes and Mexican forces, and in 1845 it became a part of the United States. Texas departed the Union in 1861 and returned when the Civil War was over in 1870.

Why is it called that?

Tay-yas, which translates to “friends” and sounds like “Texas,” is reportedly how the Caddo tribe greeted Spanish invaders.

Texas has earned the moniker “Lone Star State” since it flew a flag with a solitary star on it upon declaring independence in 1836.

Quick Facts about Texas

Also Known As	Lone Star State
Population	(2020) 29,145,505; (2023 est.) 30,503,301
Capital	Austin
U.S. Senators	John Cornyn (Republican) • Ted Cruz (Republican)
Statehood	December 29, 1845
Biggest City	Houston
Abbreviation	TX
State Bird	northern mockingbird
State Flower	bluebonnet
State Song	“Texas, Our Texas”
State Animal	The longhorn

Fun Facts about Texas

Texas is where Juneteenth, the official holiday honoring enslaved people’s freedom, originated.

Do you yearn to be a man from the West? Go to one of the many rodeos and ranches in Texas.

State shells are officially designated lightning whelks.

The Edwards Plateau in west central Texas is the greatest site in the country to breed sheep.

Rhode Island is smaller than the King Ranch in Texas.

In Texas, there is the largest herd of whitetail deer in the nation.

Virginia was the birthplace of Sam Houston, the most famous Texan. Houston served as Tennessee’s governor before relocating to Texas.

Near Fulton lies a coastal live oak that is the oldest tree in the state. The tree’s estimated age is close to 1,500 years.

Due to its proximity to Mexico, Texans have created a cuisine known as Tex-Mex, which combines American and Mexican culinary techniques.

Six flags have flown over Texas: Texan, British, French, Mexican, and Confederate. That is how Six Flags, a theme park, came to be known.

Situated in south-central Texas on the Colorado River sits the state capital, Austin. Texas pink granite was used to create the capitol building. In 1840–1842, it functioned as the Republic of Texas’s capital.

Situated in south central Texas on the Colorado River sits the state capital, Austin. Texas pink granite was used to create the capitol building. In 1840–1842, it functioned as the Republic of Texas’s capital.

The only state to join the union by a treaty, as opposed to annexation of territory, is Texas.

Austin’s capital opened on May 16, 1888. The building’s dome is seven feet taller than the one in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital.

The world’s longest fishing pier is located in Port Lavaca. Hurricane Carla in 1961 devastated the middle span of the causeway that had connected the two sides of Lavaca Bay.

The Waco Bridge was the country’s first suspension bridge. Constructed in 1870, the Brazos River pedestrian crossing is still in service today.

The biggest rose garden in the world is located at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. Situated in a 22-acre garden, the 38,000 rose plants there represent 500 different species of roses.

The only known flock of whooping cranes in North America spends the winter months at the Aransas Wildlife Refuge.

Texas has more agricultural acreage than any other state.

Three of the 10 most populated cities in the US are located in Texas. These cities are San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas.

The Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Houston Astros, Houston Comets, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Texas Rangers are among the professional sports teams.

A storm that struck Galveston in 1900 was the cause of the biggest natural calamity in US history. There were almost 8000 fatalities reported.

The only hotel in North America constructed totally over the ocean is the Flagship Hotel, located on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston.

San Antonio is home to the Alamo. It is the location where Mexican General Santa Anna defeated Texas’s defenders and gave rise to the expression “Remember the Alamo.” The Alamo is the most visited historic site in the state and is regarded as the birthplace of Texas liberty.

Lake Jackson is where jalapeño pepper jelly got its start in the market in 1978.

Interesting Facts about Texas

• On July 4, 1883, the world’s first rodeo took place in Pecos.
• El Paso is located further from Dallas than it is from Needles, California.
• More species of birds may be found in Brazoria County than in any other comparable place in North America.
• 267,339 square miles, or 7.4% of the whole country, are included in Texas.
• The Houston Comets are the only club in the nation to have won four consecutive WNBA titles. Cynthia Cooper is still the only player to have won MVP of the WNBA Championship from 1997 to 2000.
• The nation’s first dome-style stadium is located in Texas. Built in Houston, the building debuted in April 1965.
• Davy Crockett was a frontiersman and politician who came to Texas in 1835 and died at the Battle of the Alamo. Two American presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson and Dwight D. Eisenhower, were born in Texas. At Houston’s Johnson Space Center, often known as Mission Control, President Johnson is honored.
• The first Texas Independence Flag was raised and the first Texas Independence Declaration was written at Goliad on December 20, 1835.
• A storm that struck Galveston in 1900 was the cause of the biggest natural calamity in US history. There were almost 8000 fatalities reported.
• Brewster County, covering 6,208 square miles, is the biggest in Texas.
• John William Heisman, the first full-time coach and athletic director at Houston’s Rice University, is honored with the Heisman Trophy.

Fun Facts about Texas for Kids

• The Lone Star State is the common moniker for Texas.
• The state’s sole natural lake is Caddo Lake.
• The world’s center for live music is regarded as Austin.
• Central Texas is sometimes referred to as the Silicon Valley of the South, and it is home to Dell and Compaq computers.
• Texas is the state from which the most wool is exported in the US.
• One of the world’s biggest collections of circusana may be seen in the Hertzberg Circus Museum in San Antonio.
• The projected number of cattle in the state is close to 16 million.
• Houston was the first word uttered from the moon on July 20, 1969.
• The official state mammal is the armadillo.
• Texas is home to more species of bats than any other state in the union.
• The world’s major helium well is situated in Amarillo.
• The largest inland port in the world is Laredo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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