WTX - A History of West Texas

Two of the most famous UFO cases in American history happened right here in West Texas, six years apart.  Lubbock Lights (1951): professors watch, measure, and even photograph bluish formations.  Levelland (1957): glowing, egg-like objects stall car engines and lift away—seen by a dozen witnesses, including the sheriff.  A secretive Air Force unit investigates both. Its explanations raise more que...

For nearly a decade, the people of West Texas fought for something most of the state took for granted: a college of their own.  They battled through three governors, three legislatures, and one outright scandal.  They were lied to, vetoed, ignored… and they refused to quit.  This is the story of telegrams and barbecue diplomacy, of political brawls and backroom deals, of the long fight that gave b...

Most stories of the Comanche are written from the white man’s point of view—heartless, brutal savages. But there’s more to them than that. In this episode, we reconstruct what the daily life of a Comanche warrior was really like: their training, spirituality, and family life; how they loved and lost; and the code of honor that guided everything they did.  From childhood to marriage to thrilling ra...

In the spring of 1541, a Spanish army led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado rode east out of New Mexico in search of golden cities. What they found instead was West Texas. This episode traces one of the most ambitious—and disastrous—expeditions in New World history, from the jungles of Mexico to the staked plains of the Llano Estacado. You'll meet Coronado, the ambitious conquistador chasing l...

Welcome to Season 2 of WTX: A History of West Texas! In this episode, we’re starting at the very beginning. Not the beginning of cowboy stories or Comanche raids — the beginning. Before the first human foot ever stepped onto the Llano Estacado. Before the great herds roamed, before the rivers carved their canyons, before the very Caprock stood sentinel. We’ll come face to face with Columbian mammo...

Just in time for your holiday road trips, this is a special episode that the whole family can enjoy! Kick off your boots and settle in for the legend of Pecos Bill, the Texas folk hero who was raised by coyotes, rode a tornado, tamed the wildest horse on the plains, and invented everything from the branding iron to the lasso!  Send us Fan Mail  Visit our website at wtxpodcast.com for companion art...

Last time, we experienced the wild rise of Tascosa, the frontier town that became the hub of lawlessness in the Texas Panhandle. Now, in part two, we see Tascosa at its peak, and the random violence that helped to fill Boothill Cemetery, concluding in a dramatic shootout that took more lives than even the O.K. Corral. Finally, the drastic collapse of this boom town and why you won't even find...

Ghost Riders in the Sky is one of the most popular Country songs of all time. But did you know it was inspired by events right here in West Texas? Join us as we take a spooky look at the Legend of Stampede Mesa. Just don't listen before bedtime...  Send us Fan Mail  Visit our website at wtxpodcast.com for companion articles, show notes, and photos for each episode. Contact the host via email...

Join us as we uncover the wild rise of Tascosa, the frontier town that became the hub of lawlessness in the Texas Panhandle. In this first of two episodes, we focus on the town's early days, from violent sheep wars to its transformation into a trading hub. Along the way, we’ll meet figures like Charles Goodnight and Casimero Romero, and set the stage for the arrival of Billy the Kid. Stay tun...

In this episode we explore how Texas, once considered an unlikely place for wine production, has risen to become a significant player on the global wine stage. Through the stories of pioneers, scientists, and modern-day winemakers, we trace the history of Texas wine back over 350 years and uncover the pivotal moments that shaped the state and region's wine legacy. Send us Fan Mail  Visit our...

Join us as we explore the mysterious legend of Sublett's Lost Gold. Hidden deep within the rugged Guadalupe Mountains, this elusive treasure has captivated the imaginations of treasure hunters and adventurers for over a century. Discover the intriguing story of Will Sublett, a Texas Pacific Railroad scout who veered off his path in search of untold riches, and his relentless quest that spanne...

In this episode, part 2 of a series, host Jody Slaughter investigates the life of Pinkie Roden, who built a West Texas bootlegging empire in Prohibition that lasted all the way into modern times. From moonshiner to political influencer, Pinkie's story is a blend of daring escapades, high-stakes chases, and a relentless pursuit of fortune. Seldom talked about today, Pinkie's mark is all o...

In this episode, host Jody Slaughter investigates the life of Pinkie Roden, who built a West Texas bootlegging empire in Prohibition that lasted all the way into modern times. From moonshiner to political influencer, Pinkie's story is a blend of daring escapades, high-stakes chases, and a relentless pursuit of fortune. Seldom talked about today, Pinkie's mark is all over West Texas, if y...

In this premiere episode of WTX, host Jody Slaughter dives into the wild life of Judge Roy Bean, the self-proclaimed "Law West of the Pecos." Step into the blistering heat of the 1890s in the remote town of Langtry, Texas. Here, amidst the dust and desert, Judge Bean held court in the Jersey Lilly Saloon with a pet bear by his side and a fearless grip on frontier justice. Follow Bean&apo...