Ep. 114: Winging it in Big Bend

Ep. 114: Winging it in Big Bend

Author: Ken Wise July 9, 2022 Duration: 36:22

In the 1920s, U.S. military aviation was in its early stages. New uses for air power were discovered frequently. The new flying machines would allow military and civilian authorities to patrol dangerous, remote areas more effectively. Few areas in the U.S. were more remote, or more dangerous, than the Mexican border in far west Texas. Revolution, banditry and violence were commonplace. The military needed an airfield from which to operate, but where? Elmo and Ada Johnson had the the perfect spot, and one of the most unique and popular airfields in U.S. history, Johnson’s Ranch, was born. Learn more about the time when airplanes came to the Big Bend in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.


There’s a particular feeling you get standing on a wide stretch of prairie or walking through a quiet courthouse square that seems to hold a century of stories. Wise About Texas is about uncovering those stories, layer by layer, with the kind of depth and context that makes the past feel immediate. Hosted by Ken Wise, each episode goes beyond the well-trodden tales of the Alamo and cowboy legends to explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that truly shaped this unique state. You’ll hear about forgotten communities, surprising cultural intersections, and the everyday lives that built Texas from the ground up. This isn’t just a dry recitation of dates; it’s a thoughtful exploration that connects history to the landscape you can visit today. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a curious newcomer, or someone planning a trip with a desire to understand what you’re seeing, this podcast serves as an engaging guide. Tune in for narratives that are meticulously researched yet told with a conversational ease, making each chapter of Texas history accessible and genuinely compelling. The aim is to leave you not just better informed, but with a richer sense of the spirit and complexity that defines the Lone Star State.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 163

Wise About Texas
Podcast Episodes
EP. 71: The First Declaration of Independence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:41
When Texans talk about the Declaration of Independence, they usually mean the one signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836. Occasionally, we refer to the Goliad declaration of 1835. But there was one before al…
Ep. 70:  Lost Counties of Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:23
Texas has 254 wonderful counties. But we might have 284, or maybe we did but are down some. Or are we? What??? Learn about counties of Texas that were created, disappeared, were repealed, or maybe still exist. Oh yeah, w…
EP. 69 Texans You Should Know: Bessie Coleman, Pilot & Pioneer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:02
Born into poverty and raised in north central Texas, Bessie Coleman wanted to fly. But in the early 20th century, nobody in the United States would teach a black woman to fly an airplane. So Bessie Coleman learned a new…
Ep. 68:  Bonnie & Clyde, Part 2: The Chase [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
Bonnie & Clyde were on the run for two years. They committed small time thefts but big time murders. They were killers, pure and simple. They drove fast and far, laid low, and had help all over their territory. But they…
EP. 67: Bonnie & Clyde Part 1: The Outlaws [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:37
The great depression was hard on everyone everywhere, and Texas was no exception. People couldn’t work, could barely eat and just needed a break. The people wanted excitement, they wanted romance, they wanted something t…
Ep. 66: The Tories of the Texas Revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:12
The account of the Texas revolution makes for glorious telling, retelling and reading. It seemed that every man, woman and child in early Texas just couldn’t wait to rebel against the tyrannical Mexican government and wi…
Ep. 65:  Welcome to Progress City!  (It’s around here somewhere…) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:22
The late 19th century saw Texas industry expanding west. The railroads were laid and towns were springing up everywhere. That quintessential Texas opportunity was knocking once again. One railroad entrepreneur gave one a…
Ep. 63: Santa Claus is Coming to Town…and Robbing the Bank! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:23
December 23, 1927 was a typical day in Cisco, Texas. People going about their Christmas shopping, ready for holiday time with family and friends. The kids even saw Santa Claus walking down Main Street! He engaged with th…