Wandering the planet with a pen, a camera, and a map.
I write about a lot of different subjects: Home, road trips, death and dying, God, love, planting seeds, and cats.
Let’s bring this one back. I found pictures in a folder of Silverton from probably ten years ago. I also am reposting from the March 29, 2010 post on this blog. The pictures below are from a few years ago. Our world is always changing and I like to capture a splinter of the past.
Silverton is situated along two scenic drives: The 85 and 207. This area is known for its miles and miles of farming and ranching and that is apparent by a drive through the area. I was in a rush to get to Dallas when I drove through Silverton last year and had no time to explore the town of 700 something. There are all kinds of treasures to be found in this fabulous little town near Palo Duro Canyon. I have a photo of the Old Jail Museum somewhere in a folder labeled “Texas Driveby’s”.
I miss the work I did in the Panhandle and the many drives to and from Grayson County.
The only reason I want to visit any city is to photograph it. First things, first. I’m a small town girl. I lived in the Inland Empire for years. You know, that part of Southern California snuggled up to the LA Metropolitan area somewhere around Pomona, Claremont, up to Mt. Baldy. With that, I learned to dislike sitting in traffic, creeping along the 605, the 210, the 405 when I went to LA. All cities have traffic congestion these days and it is stressful. While there is so much to see and do, much has to be considered: cost, time, travel. Oh, and parking.
Putting that all aside, there are cities on Earth I would like to visit if I had everything in place, such as a driver, and escort, and a few dollars more. Oh, and my camera gear!
Dubai
New York City
Venice
Oia, Santorini, Greece
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Jaipur, India
That’s it for now. I’ve seen most of the cities in the US and am always up for a return visit. Change is constant. While I am interested in special effects, shooting lights, architecture, humans, I also want to spend time with people, the locals, on the other side of town, the ordinary. I want stories, histories, and a few laughs. What haunts you and what makes you cry out in joy. I want to come to your city.
While waiting for a phone call, I hopped in the car and drove around town for a bit. The Fannin County Courthouse stands tall downtown on the square stretching its story high has recently undergone a major restoration to regain its historic grandeur after a 1929 fire and subsequent modernizations. Downtown is not on my way home unless I take the scenic route and I often do. Sometimes, I’ll sit there in the later afternoon parked on the north side watching puffy clouds float by on a blue background and the sun warms its stone walls. But this time, I took took a right and headed West into a neighborhood where, I am certain, there is a church on every block. If you want to see a picture of the courthouse, go here.
I like churches and taking pictures of them. I also like praying over each one as I look at the design, the architecture. Many churches have windows, some don’t. Ours does not, but each church has a purpose and a reason. When I pray, I thank God for his love and his gift of Christ. I thank Him for those that designed and built the church, those that manage the property, those who teach, preach, and attend. I ask that God’s presence inhabit and consume this property.
Some churches have a historical marker in the front of the property. Bonham has a lot of history. Here are some photos I took Sunday.
New Home Baptist Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
First Presbyterian Church
Newlife Church of God In Christ
First Baptist Church
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Sovereign Grace Baptist Church
Calvary Baptist Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
First United Methodist Church
Trinity Baptist Church
Northside Church of Christ
One City Church
This is not all the churches in Bonham. The afternoon was leaning to evening and I needed to get back to my office. The phone never rang. I checked my calendar, messages, texts and decided I could head back. That’s what I did. May you find interesting places on your drives. There is art in everything and God is love.
While you are on U.S. Highway 69 going one way or the other in East Texas where the pine trees cast long shadows, you’ll drive through a small town with big history, the town of Alto, Texas. Before I get started I want to share a webpage with you that I found while searching for some factual information. Click here: Two Hundred and Fifty Years: History of Alto, Texas, 1686-1936. Take a moment to read about this town.
I’ve stopped here a dozen or more times while driving to Angelina County. There is no business for me there but I like to pull off the highway and drive through town with my camera. Sometimes I take pictures, most of the time I do but not always for posting here. Here is a link to the post from May 2011. This time I drove around a while, sat in my car while listening to Gabe Rockhand – Moose Tracks & Maple Facts and called my husband to see what he was doing in the late afternoon. I don’t call with ETA’s anymore with the technology we have. He can look me up using some locator app and find me. But it is pleasant to have his company even by phone. I like to drive around the block a few times, sometimes getting out to talk to someone or take a picture of a bug crossing the uneven pavement carrying off the conversations of neighborhood.
Not much is going on in this town on a Sunday afternoon. A rusty chain swung back and forth from a business sign on Busy Bee Avenue. There was a bit more traffic coming in on the 21 and the 294 and I had to wait to turn left for a large slow moving truck come in with about 20 cars patiently following. Maybe not so much for some. On these two lane backroads you’ll find yourself slowing down and sometimes for miles. What are you in a hurry for? Plan ahead, be prepared, and then relax.
Old Palestine Baptist Church sits about 3 miles east of Alto and while I did drive about a mile east on San Antonio Road, I did not have this marked as a place to visit although I should have. I passed First Baptist Church that that stands tall against the road. Don’t tell me you cannot find that church on Sunday morning. It hovers over the street. Get your Sunday best on and get yourself to church. There are about eight churches in Alto so you’ve got a good choice. Why wasn’t I there on this Sunday?
Years ago, I found Lacy’s Fort historical marker when driving into Alto from Crockett doing some geocaching. Caddo Mounds is west of Alto on State Hwy 21. I’d recommend stopping by.
We’ve been through here many times. I’ve taken few pictures though, most sometime between 2007 and 2014. Here is one of Wells in 2011. Things have changed: roads widened, new buildings, demolished structures, babies born, and taxes increased. Nothing lasts forever except for God’s love. When I get to Wells, I sigh and say, “Almost there”. There being Lufkin. Home away from home.
For the most part, the town has not grown that much. The population was 790 at the 2010 census, and 853 at the 2020 U.S. census. The only way you are going to find Wells TX, is to get on US Highway 69 and drive to Cherokee County. At FM 1247 you’ll notice the water tower and can declare your presence in the town know as “A Great Place To Live”. Charcoal was produced here in the late 1890’s and a prison camp was established for this purpose. After the charcoal camp was closed, Wells saw growth. I found some Wells TX history right here. There is more traffic through here now than there was in 2011.
With it being a quiet Sunday afternoon on a cold December day, I did not find anyone to spark up a conversation with. There was a mother sitting in her front yard over on East 1st street watching her young kids play on the pavement. I slowed, very slow, passed a little girl on her pink bicycle, waved at the mother who ignored me, and turned right on May Street.
What got my attention was the 150 year sign on the church on the highway. Falvey Memorial Methodist Church celebrated their 150’th anniversary October 5-8, 2025. The church was founded in 1872. Reverend Mike Waters is the pastor. May your church continue to build the community in Christ’s love.
Is the Donut place still open? Who has a story to share of Wells, Texas?
Much of this blog is a collection of pictures I have taken across the rural Southwest. In addition, fragments of my quirky life are written with photos and stories of my cats, my kid, my horse, my thoughts, and plenty of lists.
I welcome your comments, ideas, suggestions, and admission of guilt. Thanks for stopping by.
Back Roads Photo Blog 