Evening star., 1936-03-08
CENTENNIAL PUTS
TEXAS ON REVIEW
$40, 600, 900 Exhibit Opens
In June-OId and New
Contrasts Abound.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Contrasts AD0und.
Special Dispatch to The Star
DALLAS, Tex, March THE big
eest State in the Union Is ready to
welcome millions of guests coming
to the biggest birthday party in United
States history. Proud of 100 years
of achievement and progress, Texas
has planned its 1886 centennial cele-
brations to afford visitors from all
over the country opportunity to see
and really know the Lone Star State.
During coming months there will
be colorful celebrations in more than
400 cities throughout Texas, the pro-
gram to be climaxed by the $4,000
900 Centennial Central Exposition
opening here in June. More than s.
O0O.0O Texans are inviting their fell
low Americans to join in the recre-
alton and fun of carnivals and
spectacles designed to make the
Texas Centennial outstanding. And
the pageants, historical festivals and
rodeos to be held throughout the State
will depict vlvidly the romance of
the Old West for the Texas tourist
this year.
Cabeza de Vaca was the first Texas
tourist" to send the current equivalent
of a postal card home-home being
sixteenth century Spain. Since dc
Vaca's tour nearly 100 years before
the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth
Rock, the flags of these six nations
have flown over Texas: Spain
France, Mexico. Republic of Texas
Confederacy, and the United States
The visitor to Texas today may
motor along its highways of history
and take advantage of modern tourist
comforts and conveniences. Broac
motor lanes span country where les.
than 100 years ago nature and hostile
Indians conspired to balk the ex
tension of American civilization. Tht
Old Spanish Trail, the route acros.
the Southern part of the Unitee
States built centuries ago by pioneel
explorers, is today well-travelec
highway, U. S. Route 80 from Jack
sonville, Fla. through Texas to Sar
Diego, Calf.
Can snip Car Dy Rail.
The visitor Texas-bound need moi
motor clear across the country te
reach the boundaries of the State
The railroads will deliver his car al
any point he specifies. or if he ships
the automobile by boat, and himself
as well, Galveston is an ideal spot
for the start of Texas tour. New
Orleans also is a good starting point
for the auto delivered by ship OF
railroad. In Texas the motorist may
see much of absorbing interest ir
eight days, if his time is limited, OF
he can spend eight months within the
borders of the huge State and still
remain entertained.
There is. however; no more fas.
cinating approach to Texas and the
Southwest than the route pioneered
by the old Spanish explorers.
In this sketch of the highlights OF
a motor tour for centennial visitors
this highway is followed through the
picturesque gulf cities of Mobile and
New Orleans to the southcrnmost
gateway to Texas on the Gulf of
Mexico. The following itinerary is
barely more than an outline to serve
as guide TO the main points of interest
for the prospective visitor.
Driving along the gulf coast over
L. S. 90, the tourist crosses the Texas
Louisiana State line at Orange, Tex
on the Sabine River, which formed
the boundary between the United
States and Mexico in the days before
ire Texas revolution, the Tooth an
--Ts-sary of which the State observes
.-N year From Orange the tourist
continues on to Beaumont, a deep.
-s.s- port at the mouth of the
Esches River. There is located the
famous Spindle Top oil field 1t is q
rIn Of 90 miles from Beaumont te
Houston
Houston Largest City.
Houston, the largest city in the
State. has arranged an elaborate cen.
tennial program, which began with
the observance of Texas independence
day on March 2. In April there viii
be colorful Today celebration lead
ing up to San Jacinto day, April 81
HOUSTON Will CeleOrate the lOUth an
niversary of the founding of the city
August 81.
At San Jacinto the Texans under
Gen. Sam Houston routed the Mexi-
can forces under the command of
Santa Anna, self-styled Napoleon of
the West" in battle of reaching
consequence pot only to the new Re-
public of Texas, but to the United
States as we'll The battlefield is now
State park, where, this year. a me-
mortal is to be erected by the State
and Federal governments.
Galveston. few miles southeast of
Houston and once pirates strong
hold, is a real pleasure island" for
the visitor both Summer and Winter.
1t boasts one of the finest beaches in
the country. Boating and fishing,
hunting in season, golf and bride
paths afford diversity of amuse-
lnents.
U. S. 80 Is the shortest route.
q distance of slightly more than 200
miles, to San Antonio. However, if