Texas has never played by the rules or followed the cultural trends. The 60’s was known as the decade of peace, love, and hippies. Tie-dyed shirts and Volkswagen bugs decked out in psychedelic colors were rampant just about anywhere. Guys grew out their hair and everyone had The Beatles blasting in their ears. But Texas? Not so much. Sure, we had little pockets of free-thinkers that emerged back then and still exist today, like Austin, for example. But for the most part, we held true to our traditional values and slow pace that many of us continue to live by. With that being said, take a look at this amazing gallery of photos taken in our state in the 1960s.
- This is a NASA astronaut group in 1962.
Wikimedia Commons It’s simply amazing to consider how much aeronautical talent we’ve had and continue to have in Texas.
- President LBJ drives his car at his ranch, not a care in the world.
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- And celebrates Christmas with his family a few months later.
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- Lee Harvey Oswald poses with his new rifle in 1963.
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- This is the Texas Theater, where he shot president JFK later on that year.
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- He was shot by Jack Ruby while being transferred to the Dallas County Jail.
Wikimedia Commons Some say he got what he deserved - “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” What do you think?
- Pictured here is the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, 1966.
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- Racecars sure have changed. This is Tommy Ivo, ranked 25 on the NHRA’s top 50 drivers list in 1966.
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- George and Barbara Bush were elated on the night he was elected to Congress in 1966.
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They were able to share that happiness with the whole family. (1964)
Pictures of classic cars never get old.
Wikimedia Commons These are outside a burger restaurant in Killeen, 1967.
- This is the Colonel Walter Gresham house in Galveston in 1967. What beautiful architecture.
Wikimedia Commons This building is still around today. I see it every time I drive to the beach!
- And this is the First Presbyterian Church, also in Galveston. Simply stunning. (1967)
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- The Houston Cougars played the UCLA Bruins in the 1968 “Game of the Century.”
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- And space exploration made giant leaps of progress. Shown here is a space environment simulation chamber at NASA. (1968)
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What do you think about this photo gallery? Do you know of anything else noteworthy that happened in the ’60s in Texas? Maybe a personal story you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments!
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It’s simply amazing to consider how much aeronautical talent we’ve had and continue to have in Texas.
Some say he got what he deserved - “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” What do you think?
These are outside a burger restaurant in Killeen, 1967.
This building is still around today. I see it every time I drive to the beach!
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