With the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo underway, KTEX 106 takes a look back at a time when the Salt Grass Trail Ride made its way through downtown Brenham on the way to the show. These photos were taken by Tom Whitehead Jr. from 1955 to 1970. Many were taken out the second floor window of the radio station when it was located directly across from the courthouse. The 16mm home movie below of the 1957 ride was also filmed from the station’s window
The Salt Grass Trail Ride began in 1952 after Brenham Mayor Reese Locket complained that bad weather had grounded their plane on a trip he had taken to the Orange Bowl game in Florida. He stated “I’ll never make another trip where I can’t ride home on my horse.” When asked to be the Arena Director at the rodeo, Locket made good on his pledge. On January 30, 1952, Reese Lockett, Pat Flaherty, E.H. Marks, and John Warnasch left Brenham following the pioneer trail to Houston. Thirteen other persons joined the group along the way.
The Salt Grass Trail Ride continues today with more than 30 covered wagons and 1500 riders, but no longer parades its way through downtown Brenham.
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