Friday, April 07, 2006
LBJ and Ladybird
My knowledge of US geography and history has increased over the past year and today it increased some more. We toured Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch property in Stillwell and his boyhood home in Johnson City. LBJ became president of the USA when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He finished the term and then was elected as president for the following term. LBJ is mainly remembered for becoming president after JFK was assassinated and the Vietnam War. We learned that LBJ and Ladybird were conservationists, environmentalists as well as firm believers in a good education was the solution to poverty. LBJ signed a number of education bills into law while Ladybird worked on “beautification of America” by encouraging the elimination of billboards along highways and the addition of flowers and trees as well as efforts to expand the national parks system.
Part of LBJ’s ranch was donated to the National Park System in the late 1960's with the provision that Ladybird (she’s 93) has full use of the house until her death. The ranch is still worked and raises Polled Hereford cattle. On another piece of the property, a pioneer era farm is setup — this reminded Ed of the family farm when he young.
One of LBJ’s cousin’s founded Johnson City, which is approximately 15 miles east of Stillwell, and not very far from LBJ’s ranch. There is a visitor centre and some restored buildings as they were in the 1880's. The visitor center has two very interesting films; one on LBJ’s presidency and the other on Ladybird life.
A replica of the house Lyndon B. Johnson was born in. It is called a "dog trot" because of the open passageway in the middle of the house.
The main house.
Two of the Lincoln Continentals that LBJ drove around the ranch.
Cattle resting in the shade.
Where's the rest of the food? --- this goat is sitting in one of the cattle food bins.
Checking out the cattle.
The pioneer farm.
The main house, wash house and water tower on the pioneer farm.
A house from the original Johnson City settlement
Texas Longhorn cattle
Watertower in the Johnson City Settlement
Part of LBJ’s ranch was donated to the National Park System in the late 1960's with the provision that Ladybird (she’s 93) has full use of the house until her death. The ranch is still worked and raises Polled Hereford cattle. On another piece of the property, a pioneer era farm is setup — this reminded Ed of the family farm when he young.
One of LBJ’s cousin’s founded Johnson City, which is approximately 15 miles east of Stillwell, and not very far from LBJ’s ranch. There is a visitor centre and some restored buildings as they were in the 1880's. The visitor center has two very interesting films; one on LBJ’s presidency and the other on Ladybird life.
A replica of the house Lyndon B. Johnson was born in. It is called a "dog trot" because of the open passageway in the middle of the house.
The main house.
Two of the Lincoln Continentals that LBJ drove around the ranch.
Cattle resting in the shade.
Where's the rest of the food? --- this goat is sitting in one of the cattle food bins.
Checking out the cattle.
The pioneer farm.
The main house, wash house and water tower on the pioneer farm.
A house from the original Johnson City settlement
Texas Longhorn cattle
Watertower in the Johnson City Settlement
If you wish you can sign our guest book
We have added a web page with a map of our current location and route to date