KWHI REMEMBERS THE SALT GRASS TRAIL RIDE

Mark Whitehead Send an email March 3, 2016
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With the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo underway, KWHI takes a look back at a time when the Salt Grass Trail Ride made its way through downtown Brenham on the way to the show. These photos were taken by Tom Whitehead Jr. from 1955 to 1970.  Many were taken out the second floor window of the radio station when it was located directly across from the courthouse.  The 16mm home movie below of the 1957 ride was also filmed from the station’s window

The Salt Grass Trail Ride began in 1952 after Brenham Mayor Reese Locket complained that bad weather had grounded their plane on a trip he had taken to the Orange Bowl game in Florida. He stated “I’ll never make another trip where I can’t ride home on my horse.”  When asked to be the Arena Director at the rodeo, Locket made good on his pledge.  On January 30, 1952, Reese Lockett, Pat Flaherty, E.H. Marks, and John Warnasch left Brenham following the pioneer trail to Houston. Thirteen other persons joined the group along the way.

The Salt Grass Trail Ride continues today with more than 30 covered wagons and 1500 riders. 1973 was the last time the riders paraded through downtown Brenham.

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Mark Whitehead Send an email March 3, 2016
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8 Comments

  1. Kathy and Julie I totally agree with you but let’s face it… If it’s not sports Brenham doesn’t want to support it. They say the history of our community is so important… Well THAT DEFINETELY INCLUDES THE SGT!!! I think it’s time the people of Washington County voice their opinion LOUDLY IN SUPPORT OF OUR HISTORY.
    Just saying…. It began here… Why can’t it continue here. SALT GRASS TRAIL began here and will always be a part of the true Cowboys of this county… No matter where you make it begin!!! So whoever you are that’s opposing it…. Please stop …

  2. I am one of the Grandchildren of John Warnasch and enjoy all the posts that were made during the trail ride and after Thank you for sharing

  3. Thanks for the memories! These are great pictures and a wonderful video. I just wished that this tradition would have continued and that we could still have the big parade here in Brenham to send the riders and wagons off on their ride to Houston. This is a part of Texas history and it would be great to bring it home to Brenham and make it a big event like it was in the 1950’s! After all, Brenham was the birth place of this ride and look what it has turned into today. With thirty some wagons an over 1500 riders this could be the next big thing for Brenham as a tourist event. Houston gives them a big parade at the end of the trail, but Brenham needs to give them a bigger send off parade at the beginning. I don’t think that this needs to be a thing of the past, I think this needs to be a thing of the future. I am just saying!

    1. Hi Kathy,
      Just was going to update you…. Poncho tried to get it moved back while he was TrailBoss in 2008… He was not quite successful.. but he did get it moved back here in 2012.. Everyone was so excited, even the county officials were pleased.. but lets just say other folks were not quite on board and made it very difficult to try and stay here. But there were just some other issues that could not be resolved. So Mr. Whittenberg graciously let Salt Grass come back to Cat Springs.. It was very sad…

      1. Julie:
        Thanks for this info. However, with respect to Mr. Lockett who made this a monumental part of Texas history and the heritage of Brenham and Washington county, for Brenham to be the home to this trail ride. I do not know who is not in favor of this but I think that this needs to be ironed out so that this could be a nice tourist event for this community. There is usually a compromise to most situations if everyone is willing to sit down and listen to reason. This is just as much a part of this community’s heritage as the Maifest and we are missing the boat on not bringing this back to life!!

  4. Great story, Mark! There are a lot of good memories in that short video! It would be so good to know the name of the adorable little blonde girl handling that pony like an old pro! You have to wonder if she continued to ride the following years!

  5. I remember the stars, like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, who rode in the parade.

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