Texas Almanac
Encyclopedia
The Texas Almanac is a biennially published reference work
providing information for the general public on the history of the state and its people, government and politics, economics, natural resources
, holidays, culture, education, recreation
, the arts
, and other topics. Detailed information on each of the state's 254 counties is provided, along with analytical essays on a variety of topics unique to each edition; for example, topics in the 2006-2007 edition include the state's film industry
and the history of Lebanese
and Syria
n immigration to Texas. As with many other almanac
s, an extensive astronomical
calendar is included. The present publisher is the Texas State Historical Association
, which acquired the Texas Almanac as a gift from the A. H. Belo Corporation on May 5, 2008.
joined the United States. This early version was published annually through 1873, with the sole exception of the year 1866. During the Civil War years, the document consisted of a pamphlet
of fewer than 70 pages, published in Houston
(1862) or Austin
(1863–65) due to Galveston's being blockade
d by Union Army
forces during that period. From 1867 through 1873, publication resumed in Galveston, although the name of the book was changed in 1869 to The Texas Almanac and Emigrant’s Guide to Texas. Following the 1875 death of the publisher, the Almanac ceased publication for almost 30 years, until George Bannerman Dealey was sent by the Galveston paper to establish a branch in Dallas
and decided that resuming the Almanac would foster investment in the state's growing economy.
From 1904 through 1929, the Almanac was published more or less annually, with breaks in publication due to events such as World War I. Beginning in 1929 with the Great Depression, publication was switched to a biennial cycle; this change was not reflected in the title until the 1941-1942 edition. Special editions were created for the occasions of the 100th anniversary of the Almanac, the death of G. B. Dealey, the coinciding 110th anniversary of the Almanac and 125th anniversary of Belo Corporation, the Texas Sesquicentennial celebrating 150 years of independence from Mexico
, and the sesquicentennial of the Almanac, which was the first full-color edition. In 2006, Southern Methodist University
issued a limited edition reprint
of the 1936 Texas Almanac, which commemorated the centennial of Texas' independence.
; the electronic edition is not available online to the general public, but only through subscribing institutions such as public libraries. Belo Corporation also publishes an educators' guide to the Texas Almanac.
Reference work
A reference work is a compendium of information, usually of a specific type, compiled in a book for ease of reference. That is, the information is intended to be quickly found when needed. Reference works are usually referred to for particular pieces of information, rather than read beginning to end...
providing information for the general public on the history of the state and its people, government and politics, economics, natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
, holidays, culture, education, recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
, the arts
The arts
The arts are a vast subdivision of culture, composed of many creative endeavors and disciplines. It is a broader term than "art", which as a description of a field usually means only the visual arts. The arts encompass visual arts, literary arts and the performing arts – music, theatre, dance and...
, and other topics. Detailed information on each of the state's 254 counties is provided, along with analytical essays on a variety of topics unique to each edition; for example, topics in the 2006-2007 edition include the state's film industry
Film industry
The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other film crew...
and the history of Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
n immigration to Texas. As with many other almanac
Almanac
An almanac is an annual publication that includes information such as weather forecasts, farmers' planting dates, and tide tables, containing tabular information in a particular field or fields often arranged according to the calendar etc...
s, an extensive astronomical
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
calendar is included. The present publisher is the Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association
The Texas State Historical Association or abbreviated TSHA, is a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to documenting the rich and unique history of Texas. It was founded on March 2, 1897. As of November 2008, TSHA moved from Austin to the University of North Texas in Denton.The executive...
, which acquired the Texas Almanac as a gift from the A. H. Belo Corporation on May 5, 2008.
History
The Galveston News published the first edition in 1857, scarcely a decade after the Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
joined the United States. This early version was published annually through 1873, with the sole exception of the year 1866. During the Civil War years, the document consisted of a pamphlet
Pamphlet
A pamphlet is an unbound booklet . It may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths , or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and saddle stapled at the crease to make a simple book...
of fewer than 70 pages, published in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
(1862) or Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
(1863–65) due to Galveston's being blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
d by Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
forces during that period. From 1867 through 1873, publication resumed in Galveston, although the name of the book was changed in 1869 to The Texas Almanac and Emigrant’s Guide to Texas. Following the 1875 death of the publisher, the Almanac ceased publication for almost 30 years, until George Bannerman Dealey was sent by the Galveston paper to establish a branch in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and decided that resuming the Almanac would foster investment in the state's growing economy.
From 1904 through 1929, the Almanac was published more or less annually, with breaks in publication due to events such as World War I. Beginning in 1929 with the Great Depression, publication was switched to a biennial cycle; this change was not reflected in the title until the 1941-1942 edition. Special editions were created for the occasions of the 100th anniversary of the Almanac, the death of G. B. Dealey, the coinciding 110th anniversary of the Almanac and 125th anniversary of Belo Corporation, the Texas Sesquicentennial celebrating 150 years of independence from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and the sesquicentennial of the Almanac, which was the first full-color edition. In 2006, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
issued a limited edition reprint
Reprint
A reprint is a re-publishing of material that has already been previously published. The word reprint is used in many fields.-Academic publishing:...
of the 1936 Texas Almanac, which commemorated the centennial of Texas' independence.
Electronic and supplementary works
An electronic edition, Texas Almanac Online, is published by Thomson GaleThomson Gale
Gale is an educational publishing company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the United States, in the western suburbs of Detroit. It was part of the Thomson Learning division of the Thomson Corporation, a Canadian company, but became part of Cengage Learning in 2007.The company, formerly known...
; the electronic edition is not available online to the general public, but only through subscribing institutions such as public libraries. Belo Corporation also publishes an educators' guide to the Texas Almanac.
External links
- Texas Almanac official web site
- Texas Almanac hosted by the Portal to Texas History.