Texas History for Kids

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Anthropologists tell us that long before the Comanches thundered across Texas, they were mountain people—part of the Northern Shoshone of the Great Basin. They hunted, gathered, and traveled on foot. But sometime in the late 1600s, everything changed.   References https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/comanche-indians Eshet, D. (2020...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Long before Texas had towns or highways, a group of people lived by the rhythm of the land.  Not by fences or warranty deeds.  Not by kings and courts. They were called the Apache—though that’s not the name they gave themselves. In fact, the word “Apache” came from outside groups and might mean “enemy” in Zuni or Spanish. References Eshet,...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. The Karankawa were not one single tribe, but several bands that lived along the Texas Gulf Coast, from Galveston to Corpus Christi, who shared similar language and culture. They lived along the Texas coast for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Take a listen as we go back to the 1500s.  References/Music/Sounds by Pixabay Starting Jingle...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Today, we’re uncovering the story of the Caddo—the mound builders, farmers, and friends of East Texas. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, April 10). Caddo. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:17, May 2, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caddo&oldid=1284985302 https://thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/caddo-moun...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. This is the real story of 16 brave families from a very tiny group of Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, who left everything behind in 1731 to come to a place called… San Antonio de Béxar. Sources Our History - CIDA. (n.d.). Canary Islands Descendants Association. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://cida-sa.org/our-history/ Anonymous, “Ca...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Today, we're diving into a world filled with hidden fossils, historic battlefields, prehistoric creatures… all of which  tell the story of  Texas’s past. FREE RESOURCE References https://www.national-park.com/list-of-national-parks-in-texas/ Music/Sounds by Pixabay Starting Jingle Sound Effect by Shiden Beats Music from Pixabay- Jingl...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text.  Today, we’re headed to a place where strawberries are more than just a snack… they’re a way of life, filled with history, culture, and people.   FREE RESOURCE References https://www.poteettx.org/834/History-of-Poteet Linda Peterson, “Poteet, TX,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed April 11, 2025, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entrie...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. In today's episode, we have a tale that’s so bizarre it’ll have you rethinking what you do with your teeth! In the small town of Hondo, Texas—a city with a rich history dating back to 1689 when Spanish explorer Alonso De León named the Medina River and nearby creeks. But we’re not traveling that far back. Nope, were just gonna travel...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. César Chávez was a civil rights leader and labor activist who spent his life fighting for farm workers' rights. Born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona, César came from a Mexican American family. When his family lost their farm during the Great Depression, they became migrant workers—people who move from place to place to pick fruits...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Cynthia Ann Parker’s story is one of the most famous—and heartbreaking—in Texas history. She lived a life caught between two very different cultures: White American settlers and the Comanche Nation.  FREEBIE   References Margaret Schmidt Hacker, “Parker, Cynthia Ann,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed March 21, 2025, https://www.tshaonlin...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. This is the mystery of a secret battalion, a group of soldiers who switched sides—turning against the U.S. to fight for Mexico! Why would they do it? What happened to them? And why is their story still remembered in two different countries today?  This is the legend of the San Patricios! FREE RESOURCE   Music/Sounds by Pixabay Music by Mir...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. By December 1835, the Texians captured San Antonio after a fierce battle at the Siege of Bexar, forcing the Mexican army to retreat. But they made a dangerous mistake—they thought the war was already won. Santa Anna’s Response: No Mercy It’s February 23, 1836. The defenders of the Alamo—around 150 men—stand on top of  the old Spanish missi...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. This is the story of the Rosenwald Schools —a group of schools built across the southern parts of the United States in the early 20th century for black children during a time of segregation.  How did these schools come to be? What happened to them? And why does their legacy still matter today? FREE RESOURCE References https://www.thestoryo...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Did you know February 11th is International Day of Women and Girls in Science? In today’s episode we will talk about  a device that changed the way we explore space… A tiny genetic clue that unlocked the mystery of a devastating disease… and the link between roads and connecting people.  They all have one thing in common—Texan women and sc...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. It’s rodeo season in Texas. Well, rodeos are held year-round. But this time of year the bigger ones take-over. Ever wondered why rodeos have bull riding, calf roping, and bronc busting? Or how stock shows became a big deal in Texas? What’s the history behind Texas rodeos? That’s what you’ll find out in today’s episode.  Sound Effect By: So...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. The year is 1941 and the world is at war. The waters of the Pacific Ocean are restless and chaos is looming overhead. One man’s bravery changed the tide of history. That man was Dorie Miller.  References Whitaker, M. (2007, January 19). Doris (“Dorie”) Miller (1919-1943) . BlackPast.org. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/m...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Today, we’re hitting the road across the mountains, prairies and hills of Texas. This journey takes us to an unusual burial of a special kind of car, a whimsical tiny church and a martian cemetery.  Sound Effects Courtesy of: Sound Effect by Universfield from Pixabay Sound Effect by Sandro Lima from Pixabay Sound Effect by Kalpesh Ajugia f...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. When we think about Inauguration Day, images of parades, grand ceremonies, and historic speeches come to mind. But there’s much more to this day than meets the eye. From its beginnings in 1789 to its Texas-sized connections, Inauguration Day tells a fascinating story of leadership, tradition, and history. Let’s dive into this journey and d...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Today we’re talking about a town that's history takes us to a time where innovation of new ideas was flourishing. Post City wasn’t just any old town—it was named after Charles William Post, or C.W. Post for short. Does his name sound familiar? That’s because he’s the guy behind the famous cereal company, Post! Yep, the same company th...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Today, we’re plunging into the depths of the Earth to explore one of Texas’ most incredible natural wonders: the Natural Bridge Caverns. Are you ready to journey underground? Grab your flashlight—we’re heading into the unknown! References Salinas, A. Z. (2020, June 19). Sixty years after discovery by St. Mary’s University students, Natural...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. What if I told you that a single railroad could change the entire future of a state? Imagine crossing dry deserts, climbing rough mountains, and braving wild rivers to build a path that connects an entire nation. In the 1870s, that’s exactly what happened in Texas and beyond.  References George C. Werner, “Texas and Pacific Railway,” Handb...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Today, I'm touring one of the most famous landmarks in Texas—a window that’s more than just a piece of art: La Ventana de Rosa or translated to English: Rose Window, and it’s at Mission San Jose in San Antonio. But what makes it so special? The Rose Window of San Jose . (n.d.). Texas State Society Daughters of the American Colonists....

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Today we’re traveling back thousands of years to explore one of the most mysterious places on Earth: Stonehenge and it's Lone Star Twin.  References  Parker, M. (2024, November 27). Stonehenge | History, Location, Map, Meaning, & Facts. Britannica. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stonehenge (2010...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. While Spanish weapons and battle strategies were important in the victory, most of the destruction came from deadly diseases brought by the Europeans, which the Aztec people had never encountered before. Background Music Sound Effect by Pixabay ; Peals of Thunder Sound by Pixabay ; Disease; Son Ambiance Film 2 ; Flute 78 References: Gunder...

Let me know what you thought of this podcast! Send a text. Imagine stepping onto a train, not knowing where you’re going or who will be waiting for you when you get there. For tens of thousands of children in the years between 1854 and 1929. This wasn’t just a thought experiment—it was their reality. References:  History – National Orphan Train Complex.” National Orphan Train Complex, https://orph...