After leaving the Living History Farm, we toured the LBJ Ranch. This is the lane leading to the rendition of the LJB's birthplace, our 36th President, 1963-69. The original house was torn down in the 1940s and replaced with a nicer home. Some of the original wood and limestone from the fireplace were reused. A "dog trot" or open hallway was included to provide ventilation in hot weather. This house was used between 1964 and1966 as a guest cottage for overflow company fromt the Texas White House.
Just down the road is the Johnson Family Cemetery. The tall monument on the right is Lyndon Johnson's and next is Lady Bird's. The other smaller markers to the left are Lyndon's brothers and sisters. The cemetery is located under old Live Oak trees which provide much needed shade in the summer. The Pedernales River is in the background by the treeline.
Flags wave proudly in the almost constant Texas breezes in front of the "Texas White House". Johnson was the first president to have a working "white house" outside of Washington, DC. It was a healing place far removed from the turbulence of Washington. He is said to have spent 1/4 th of his presidency here. Lyndon Johnson was doubtless the last President whose roots and early experience bridged the gap between the old American of local frontiers, crossroads, and close neighbors, and the new America of world power, big cities, and unknown neighbors. His deepest motive as a public man was to make people neighbors again. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
The office of the Texas White House is located at the left by the pillered column. Lynda and Luci spent a lot of time doing homework this area while their father ran the country. To the right and front of the house is an enormous Live Oak tree. Many heads of state and foreign dignitaries had meetings under this tree. I wonder what stories it could tell??
Lyndon had a great sense of humor. He would often drive this car around the ranch. Many times, with dignitaries aboard, he would drive down a hill towards the Pedernales River, suddenly shouting "I have no brakes" and the car would hurl into the river. Unbeknownst to those aboard, the car would float on the river! He also had two white Lincoln continentals which he drove out on the ranch to look at the prize cattle he raised.
The back of the house overlooks the airstrip that was built when he was president and in the distance, the fields of cattle.
Just down the road is the Johnson Family Cemetery. The tall monument on the right is Lyndon Johnson's and next is Lady Bird's. The other smaller markers to the left are Lyndon's brothers and sisters. The cemetery is located under old Live Oak trees which provide much needed shade in the summer. The Pedernales River is in the background by the treeline.
Flags wave proudly in the almost constant Texas breezes in front of the "Texas White House". Johnson was the first president to have a working "white house" outside of Washington, DC. It was a healing place far removed from the turbulence of Washington. He is said to have spent 1/4 th of his presidency here. Lyndon Johnson was doubtless the last President whose roots and early experience bridged the gap between the old American of local frontiers, crossroads, and close neighbors, and the new America of world power, big cities, and unknown neighbors. His deepest motive as a public man was to make people neighbors again. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
The office of the Texas White House is located at the left by the pillered column. Lynda and Luci spent a lot of time doing homework this area while their father ran the country. To the right and front of the house is an enormous Live Oak tree. Many heads of state and foreign dignitaries had meetings under this tree. I wonder what stories it could tell??
Lyndon had a great sense of humor. He would often drive this car around the ranch. Many times, with dignitaries aboard, he would drive down a hill towards the Pedernales River, suddenly shouting "I have no brakes" and the car would hurl into the river. Unbeknownst to those aboard, the car would float on the river! He also had two white Lincoln continentals which he drove out on the ranch to look at the prize cattle he raised.
The back of the house overlooks the airstrip that was built when he was president and in the distance, the fields of cattle.
Lyndon loved the Texas Hill Country and the Pedernales River. He often said "All the world is welcome here......"
He declined a second run for President in 1969 and died at the ranch in 1973. Lyndon told Lady Bird that he wanted men in their pick up trucks and ladies with their slip hanging below the hem of their dress to be as welcomed at his funeral as those who would come in their private jets from all over the country. He was a man who truly loved his HillCcountry neighbors.
He declined a second run for President in 1969 and died at the ranch in 1973. Lyndon told Lady Bird that he wanted men in their pick up trucks and ladies with their slip hanging below the hem of their dress to be as welcomed at his funeral as those who would come in their private jets from all over the country. He was a man who truly loved his HillCcountry neighbors.
Lady Bird lived here until her death in 2007 and the ranch was given to Texas State Parks. All workers on the ranch have a home and job for the rest of their lives where they continue to raise prize cattle.
No comments:
Post a Comment