C for Ciechocinek

The letter "C" in "My Polish Alphabet" is for Ciechocinek.

 

Ciechocinek /tche:hotcheeneck/, situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland, is a spa town known for its brine sources and related to them graduation towers built 1824/1859.

A graduation tower is used in the production of salt. The process removes water from a saline solution by evaporation. The result is an increased concentration of mineral salts in the product. The tower consists of a wooden wall-like frame stuffed with bundles of brushwood. In Ciechocinek, the brushwood is blackthorn. The wigs have to be changed every 5/10 years. Anyhow, the saline water is pumped up the tower, then runs down the twigs and partly evaporates. At the same time, some minerals from the solution are left behind on the brushwood (1).

There are three graduation towers in Ciechocinek which are 15.8 m/52 ft high. The second one is the longest (719 m/2,359f t long). They are the largest graduation towers in Europe (there are smaller ones in France and Germany).

How it works
The brine solution goes from one tower to another and another, and the concentration of the brine gets greater and greater. The final product of the graduation towers' work is a 30 % brine concentration. From the last tower, the saline water goes by pipes to a salt plant where besides salt, therapeutic lye and sludge are manufactured (2).

The air is so incredibly good and healthy there! It contains several microelements that make breathing easy and clear the respiratory system very effectively. When we walked along the towers, we could feel how greatly our sinuses and lungs got cleared. It was sooooooo nice! 

During the stroll (over 2km/6,000 ft), we could see particles of salt accumulated at the bottom of the towers. Of course, we collected a few pieces as a keepsake. 

Salt of course

The base of the tower is made of oak wood

More salt

 

Inside the last tower, where the concentration of the brine is the biggest, there was an inhalation chamber. The entrance fee was 5zł. We climbed up the wooden wall and, for 30 minutes, sat there watching the brine solution going down the wall and inhaling the healing air. 

Brine going down the wall inside the tower

Salt collected at the bottom of the tower

Standing there, we could feel the brine solution dripping everywhere. The tiny drops refreshed the skin.

It was amazing how much easier breathing was afterward.

In the town, there are spa hotels. In one of them, they had a warm saline water pool, with currents massaging the body. The water is too thick to swim in it, so people just sat there enjoying the warm massage.

After visiting the graduation towers area, we went to see the nearby salt plant museum. Besides the old told used ages ago to make salt, lye, and sludge, there were some restored ancient pieces of gym-type equipment (called in the past therapeutic apparatuses).

 

It was another very, very long walk we did while visiting Poland. Afterward, our legs needed to rest, so  we enjoyed sitting in the town spa park.

 

All in all, due to the towers and the saline water going down the twigs, there is a very special microclimate in Ciechocinek.  I wish we had been able to can some of that local air/pack the tower with the inhalation chamber and bring it here to Texas...

Sources:
1. Wikipedia
2. Ciechocinek graduation towers 

You can find more letters of "My Polish Alphabet" here.

Johann Heinrich Marburger & Family

While doing the research and preparing this post, I was focused on Johann Heinrich Marburger, his wife, and his children. I was interested in what their journey through life was. However, it appeared that besides Johann Johann Heinrich and his nuclear family, also his brothers and sister came to Texas. The fact that many Marburger men had the same given names made the research quite difficult and quite confusing.

I found out that the surname is derived from the name of the city Marburg which is situated on the Lahn River, not far from Frankfurt, in Hessen Land, Germany. Marburg means "frontier fortress". It was granted the town rights in 1222*.

Marburger Schloss / Landgrafenschloss Marburg

Wigand of Marburg (von Marburg) was a cronichler and a herald of the Teutonic Knights in the Middle Ages (1). There was another famous (or rather infamous) man who was born in the city area. His name was Konrad von Marburg (Marburger), born in about 1180/1293. The man was the first inquisitor in Germany whose cruel actions, brutality, and zealous extermination of heresy led to his death. Konrad became inconvenient and was murdered (2).

Marburg was the place where Martin Luther led a discussion on the Lord's Supper (1529). After the debate, he created fifteen articles known as a Lutheran confession of faith. 

Ages later, on 20 August 1805, Johann Heinrich Marburger came to this world in Erndtebrück, not far from Marburg. The town has been mentioned already on the pages of this blog as other families of that town emigrated to Texas as well.

Erndterbrück is situated about 60 km from Marburg. By the way, there is Marburger Street in Erndterbrück.

Map data ©2022 GeoBasis-DE/BKG ©2009, Google

About Johann Heinrich Marburger

Johann's parents were Johann Wilhelm Marburger (born in 1774, Banfe, then, Wittgenstein (3), Prussia) and Marie Elizabeth Voelckel (born on 20 March 1778, Erndterbrück, Wittgenstein, Prussia). The two were married in 1801 (4). Little Johann Heinrich was baptized four days after his birth, on 24 August 1805 (5). He had at least seven siblings:

• Wilhelm - born October 1801/christened 11 October 1801 (6)
• Ludwig Heinrich - born 9 February 1804/christened 13 February (7)
• Johann Georg - born 9 January 1809/christened 13 January (8)
• Katharina Elisabeth - born 27 October 1811/christened 30 October (9)
• Jakob Ludwig - born 31 December 1815
• Johann Jost - born 21 February 1819
• Johannes - born 3 May 1821/christened 8 May (10).

 

Johann Heinrich Marburger (age 24) started his own family in 1829 (11). He married Freulein Marie Elise Wolf (born 19 February 1803). Soon, children were born to the couple. I have only found records of five of them.

• Wilhelm - christened on 10 July 1831 (12)
• Louise - christened on 26 January 1834  (13)
• Heinrich - christened on 24 August 1836 (14)
• Jakob - christened on 28 March 1841 (15)
• and Ludwig - christened on 2 July 1843 (16).

All children were christened in Erndterbrück.

On ♦ 24 November 1844 - death took Johann Heinrich's mother Marie Elizabeth. (17) The lady was 66 years old, she passed in Feudingen, Wittgenstein, Prussia.

Map data ©2022 GeoBasis-DE/BKG ©2009, Google

Two years later, Johann his family, and some of his siblings emigrated to Texas.

Johann Heinrich Marburger was recorded on the passenger list of the vessel York. He traveled with 7 persons (18) - his wife Marie Elise and probably 6 children. Most likely, besides the ones mentioned above, the youngest was a baby. Did it survive? I do not know.

Johann's brother Jacob was on the same ship - with 2 persons. Probably, it was his wife Helena Helmes and their son born in 1845 (19). Helena was the daughter of Johann Heinrich Helmes and Helena Heins. The lady and Jakob married in 1843 in Hilchenbach (20). They lived in Lutzel, not far from Erndterbrück. The Marburgers departed Europe in the port of Antwerp on 14 August 1846 (21).

Map data ©2022 GeoBasis-DE/BKG ©2009, Google

Johann Heinrich's sister Christina Marburger, her husband Johann Jost Voelkel (born on 27 December 1808), their sons Johann Jost and Wilhelm, and also Johann Jost Sr's. father Jakob Voelkel (born on 13 October 1786 in Erndterbrück) left Bremen and went to Texas in about 1848. Christina's husband passed in ♦ 1849, her father-in-law died in ♦ 1850.

Another brother of Johann Heinrich's left Erndterbrück and settled in Texas as well. It was Wilhelm who emigrated with his wife Anna Sophia Weyendt (born on 19 July 1803) and their children Wilhelm Jr., Georg, Jakob Jost, and Johann Jost (22).

♦ 9 January 1848 - Johann Heinrich's father, Johann Wilhelm, passed.

13 June - Henry John (age 27) and Christine Marburger of Laaspherhütte arrived in Galveston, Texas on the ship Antoinette (23). He could be Johann Heinrich's brother, but I am not sure about that.

Map data ©2022 GeoBasis-DE/BKG ©2009, Google

♡ 4 August 1852 - Louise married Johann Jost Bernshausen in Austin, Texas (24).

25 November 1854 - Ludwig Marburger (possibly Johann Heinrich's brother) and his family arrived in Texas on the Galliot Concordia (25).

♡ 2 March 1858 - Wilhelm (William), age 27, married Anna Mikeska (26).

1859 - Henry Sr. paid taxes for 233 acres of land (70 originally granted to W Sutherland and 163 to D Shelby). The man owned 6 horses, 75 head of cattle, a wagon, and a team of oxen (27).

♡ 21 April 1860 - 23-year-old Heinrich (Henry) married Miss Bertha Wunderlich in Washington, Texas (28). They had 12 children.

With quite a few Marburger men and similar or the same names they had/used, it is difficult to distinguish in the records who was who - for example which Henry it was if no birth year is mentioned.

During the Civil War - the men served in the CA.

• Georg Marburger - Johann Heinrich's nephew - Company C, Waul's Texas Legion (29).

• Ludwig Marburger - 1864 - 14th Field Battery, 15th Field Battery, Texas Light Artillery (30), Company E Ragsdale's Battalion, Texas Cavalry 1861-1865 (31).
  

There is also a note regarding an L. Marburger who enlisted on 5 January 1963 in Company A 23 Brigade (for 3 months). The man was stationed in Brenham, TX. On 13 January he was recorded as "absent without leave" (32).

• William Marburger - 1862 Company E, Waul's Texas Legion; Company B (33), 1865 - Timmon's Regiment, Texas Infantry (34, 35).

• Henry Marburger - Company E, Waul's Texas Legion; Company B, Timmon's Regiment, Texas Infantry (36).

• James (Jakob) Marburger - Company G, 4th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (4th Mounted Volunteers), rank: Sergeant (37, 38).
  

 

1862 - Henry Sr. farmed 233 acres granted to Mr. Shelby. He had 1 horse, 61 head of cattle, a wagon, and oxen (39).

!864 - Henry Marburger Sr. paid taxes for 133 acres (40) of land in Austin County (70 acres originally granted to Mr. Sutherland and 63 to D Shelby).

♡ 10 January 1865 - Jakob married Marie Doss (41). They had 12 children.

1866 - Henry Sr. had no land in Austin County (no taxes paid for that year). The man owned 5 horses and 14 head of cattle (42).
1866 - Jacob farmed 50 acres of land originally granted to W Townsend. He also had 3 horses and 13 head of cattle (43).

1 August 1867 - Henry, James, and William Marburger were recorded on the Voter List in Austine County. The men lived in Industry (44).

1870 - Henry Jr. farmed on the land that earlier was taken care of by his father. The son had 6 horses and 14 head of cattle. James had 11/2 acres of Herny Sr.'s land (45).

1870 - Henry (age 64), Mary (age 66), and George Wolf (age 69) were registered at their home in Precinct #5, Austin County, Post Office: Industry. George was possibly Marie's brother. Another brother of hers, Christian, his wife Mary, and their 4 children were the Marburgers' closest neighbors (46).

1872 - it seems Henry Sr. had divided his land and his sons were taking care of that. The father paid taxes only for a horse and 8 head of cattle. William farmed 121 acres of Mr. Shelby's land and 35 acres originally granted to H Cheves. He owned 2 horses and 23 head of cattle. James had 1 horse and 4  head of cattle. He also farmed 132 acres that had been granted to William Sutherland (47).

I have no clue what happened to Johann Heinrich's son Ludwig/whom he married. One record says that Ludwig Marburger was the husband of Annie Wied (48). Was it that son or Johann Heinrich's nephew, born in 1830?

1873 - Ludwig Marburger (mother Marie Elise) was married in Ferndorf, Siegen, Westphalia, Prussia. His bride was Louise Bode (49).

Census 1880 - Justice Precinct #5, Austin, TX - Henry Marburger, Sr. (age 74) and his wife Marie (age 76) rented their farm (to the sons?). Henry Jr (age 42), and his family - wife Bertha (age 40), and children Henriette (age 17), Otto (age 15), Alfred (age 13), Hermann (age 10), Robert (age 9), Randolph (age 8), Theobald (age 5), Ewald (age 2), and Armanta (age 1) lived nearby (50).

♦ 11 January 1893 - Johann Heinrich Marburger passed in Cistern, Fayette, Texas (51).

UPDATE:

Information provided by Darcy Wise Shelanskey, a post reader, who wrote us about Saint Elizabeth:

"(...) She was a Hungarian princess who was betrothed to the Landgrave Thuringia which is east of Marburg. After her husband died she moved to Marburg at the bequest of her in-laws because she basically embarrassed them with her care for the poor. She only lived there 3 years before she died at 25 years old. Her sainthood is the reason for the monastery and from that a university and pretty much all that Marburg represents (...)."

By the way, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, after her husnand's death, Elizabeth lived with her uncle who was then Bishop of Bamberg. Konrad von Marburg (mentioned above) was Elizabeth's spiritual director.

Credits/Resources:

*wikipedia.org, Brittanica.com

Photo of Marburg castle: Von Hydro - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11826355

1. Wigand of Marburg
2. Konrad von Marburg
3. More about Wittgenstein
4. "Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JH75-85B : 13 July 2021), Wilhelm Marburger, 1801.
5."Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68Y-FLQ : 26 March 2020), Johann Henrich Marburger, 1806.
6. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68Y-H2S : 26 March 2020), Wilhelm Marburger in entry for Wilhelm Marburger, 1801.
7.  "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPVR-2X3 : 26 March 2020), Wilhelm Marburger in entry for Ludwig Henrich Marburger, 1804.
"Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKNN-L5W : 26 March 2020), Joh. Wilhelm Marburger in entry for Catharina Elisabetha Marburger, 1795.
9. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-MN5 : 26 March 2020), Catharina Elisabeta Marburger, 1811.
10. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-WTY : 26 March 2020), Johannes Marburger, 1821.
"Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JH7R-PVH : 14 July 2021), Johann Heinrich Marburger, 1829.
12. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-729 : 26 March 2020), Wilhelm Marburger, 1831.
13. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-9RX : 26 March 2020), Louise Marburger, 1834.
14. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-FMX : 26 March 2020), Johann Heinrich Marburger in entry for Heinrich Marburger, 1837.
"Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-67D : 26 March 2020), Jahann Heinrich Marburger in entry for Jacob Marburger, 1841.
"Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKNJ-12H : 26 March 2020), Johann Heinrich Marburger in entry for Ludwig Marburger, 1843.
17. "Deutschland Tote und Beerdigungen, 1582-1958", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J4HM-R89 : 17 February 2020), Maria Elisabeth Voelckel, 1844.
18. "A New Land Beckoned: German Immigration to Texas, 1844-1847", Chester William Geue, Ethel Hander Geue
19. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHWM-R48 : 26 March 2020), Jacob Marburger in entry for MM9.1.1/VHWM-R4Z:, 1845.
20. "Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J488-PWM : 13 July 2021), Jacob Marburger, 1843.
21. Galveston Immigration Database
22. familysearch.org
23. "United States Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports, 1820-1874," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD51-ZQQ : 19 February 2021), Henry John Marberger, 1848; citing Immigration, NARA microfilm publication M334 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 418,268.
24. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZ2-QVM : 10 March 2021), John Jost Bernshausen and Louisa Marburger, 04 Aug 1852; citing Austin, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,019,273.
25. Galveston Database
26. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZ2-63K : 10 March 2021), William Marburger and Ann Mikeska, 02 Mar 1858; citing Austin, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,019,273.
27. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM4-36S : 20 February 2021), Henry Marburger, 1859.
"Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1C-DC15 : 23 February 2021), Henry Marburger and Berta Wunderlich, 21 Apr 1860; citing Marriage, citing Washington, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 956,482.
29. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=0DDCC4B5-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A
30. "Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ4L-QVF : 5 December 2014), Ludwig Marburger, 1864; from "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing military unit Fourteenth Field Battery; Fifteenth Field Battery, NARA microfilm publication M323 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1961), roll 241.
31. "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSTD-WMH : 25 August 2021), Ludwig Marburger, 1861-1865.
32. "Texas, Confederate Army and Commanding Officer Card Index, ca.1861-ca.1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z4FF-CV3Z : 18 June 2020), L Marburger, 1863.
33. "Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ42-8PF : 5 December 2014), William Marburger, 1862; from "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing military unit Waul's Legion (Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery), NARA microfilm publication M323 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1961), roll 431.
34. "Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ4K-Z6N : 5 December 2014), William Marburger, 1865; from "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing military unit Timmon's Infantry, NARA microfilm publication M323 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1961), roll 423.
35. "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FS5H-3PK : 25 August 2021), William Marburger, 1861-1865.
36. "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSTS-CMJ : 24 August 2021), Hy. Marberger, 1861-1865.
37. "Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ4K-NY4 : 5 December 2014), James Marburger, 1862; from "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Texas," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing military unit Fourth Cavalry (Fourth Mounted Volunteers, First Regiment, Sibley's Brigade), NARA microfilm publication M323 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1961), roll 29_01.
38. "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F923-BJ3 : 25 August 2021), James Marburger, 1861-1865.
39. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM4-4KV : 20 February 2021), Henry Murberger, 1862.
40. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM4-CP1 : 20 February 2021), Henry Marburger, 1864.
41. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-VX8W : 10 March 2021), Jacob Marberger and Marid Doss, 10 Jan 1865; citing Fayette, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 966,863.
42. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM4-6X6 : 20 February 2021), Henry Marburger, 1866-1867.
43. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-4T84 : 20 February 2021), Jack Marburger, 1866.
44. "Texas, Voter Records, 1867-1918", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W19P-VXT2 : 15 December 2020), Henry Marburger, 1867.
45. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM4-LNJ : 20 February 2021), Heni Marburger, 1870.
46. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGJ-8XC : 29 May 2021), Henry Marburger, 1870.
47. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM4-159 : 20 February 2021), Henry Marburger, 1872.
48. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CP-H7L : 20 February 2021), Ludwig Marburger in entry for Fritz Marburger, 09 Jan 1923; citing certificate number 2357, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,698.
49. "Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N6Q6-TXQ : 13 July 2021), Ludwig Marburger, 1873.
50. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFFV-VK6 : 15 January 2022), Henry Marburger, Justice Precinct 5, Austin, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
51.findagrave.com

📸

Photos included in the article were taken on 25 July 2020.

L for Luckenbach

Currently, I am working on another genealogy-related post. The research regarding that particular family which I am going to write about is difficult and is taking me a lot of time. However, I think I will complete it by the end of March.

In the meantime, another letter in the "My Texas Alphabet" series. 

✰

L for Luckenbach

No surprise here - Luckenbach is a legendary spot in the Hill Country popular with visitors. Well, years ago, we almost got married in Luckenbach.

Within a few past years, the place changed quite a bit. The venue doubled or maybe tripled in size. A big stage was built, the old toilets were turned into another bar (there are new bathrooms, though), the stream which ran under the bridge disappeared. 

The old cotton gin is still there, however, it is fenced now.

At the beginning of March, Texas Independence Day was observed in Luckenbach. It was quite a patriotic event with a religious touch as well. 

The ceremony started with firing three cannon salutes. 

 

After the salvo, the air seemed to have different properties above one of the cannons. At first, it seemed to be just a heatwave, but even an hour + later, it did look as if the atmosphere in that one area had had a different density, it was a bit shaky, too. 

You could think that it might be the presence of spirits of Texans from the past, attending the Independence Day festivities. The effect lasted until the end of the commemoration. Anyhow, most likely, nobody paid any attention to it besides us.

The retirement of the Texas flag ceremony closed the event program.

A brand new flag was brought and put up then.

 

While we were visiting Luckenbach, a rooster did not jump on tree branches as it had before. We did not see any roosters or chicken at all. Maybe the crowds had scared them away.

There was one more attraction on that day, though. It was a display of Texas Rangers' memorabilia.

 

✰ 

On the blog, you can find a few more earlier posts related to Luckenbach.

Luckenbach history by Texas Handbook Online: here