Cover image by Stephan Myers
October 1984
Along with a cover story heralding “the beauty of autumn with colorful late bloomers across the state,” the issue featured stories on the wildlife of the Woodland Trails of East Texas, a how-to on collecting and preparing Gulf oysters, and the magazine’s first feature about dinosaur fossil sites. The latter covered notable finds by amateur collectors and advice on where and how to search for fossils.
Inspiring travel is Texas Highways’ lodestar. But within that broader mission, there has been a lot of room for nuance in our coverage over the decades, spanning the state’s history, culture, and distinctive character. When founding editor Frank Lively was conceptualizing the magazine’s editorial mission and tone in 1970, he suggested “a National Geographic approach. Besides running pretty pictures of Texas scenes, we will tell them in a personal way to draw the traveler here.”
While early issues covered popular topics like scenic landscapes, flowers, history, and travel recommendations, there was plenty of editorial experimentation as well. The October 1978 issue featured a ballad about the demise of former boomtown New Birmingham: “doomed…from the moment a young, red-haired widow put her curse on it.” Other late ’70s and early ’80s issues included the history of Texas chili, photos of household products made from mesquite, and stories on the state’s architecture, clothing, farming, and geology.
In a similar spirit, this month’s issue covers the state’s eureka moments, groundbreaking research, and innovative minds. May their ingenuity inspire you to explore the state and make your own discoveries.
Emily Roberts Stone
Editor in Chief
For more on our anniversary, visit texashighways.com/50
