2013 is gone, and it’s time to look back.
The Astrodome failed to receive public support for bonds to refurbish the world’s first domed stadium, so demolition may be on the horizon.
A new segment of the Grand Parkway opened west of Houston connecting I-10 near Katy to US 290 at Cypress. The 15 miles of four-lane toll road will be free through Jan. 31 and will ultimately be part of a 185-mile tollway around Space City.
Playboy Marfa, a large-scale art installation outside of Marfa featuring a neon-lit Playboy bunny logo, was removed in November. It will reappear at the Dallas Contemporary Art Museum in April.
Daniel Vaughn was named the first barbecue editor for Texas Monthly, possibly the most coveted and toughest job in the state.
TxDOT released a “Calvary Hill” license plate with three crosses as part of their special plates program. In its first year, the plate found more than 570 buyers willing to pay the extra $30 a year.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center opened at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Texas now has three presidential libraries.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department turned 50 years old in 2013.
The Blanton Museum on the UT campus also turned 50.
Texas Highways magazine, the state’s official travel magazine, turned 40.
In March, Austin was on a North Korean map of possible targets along with Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Hawaii.
1,170th in a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of “Day Trips,” is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
This article appears in 2013.
