Texas History Highlights: Faith, Juneteenth, Springs, Mansfield & Battleship

This week, the Think Texas newsletter explores a museum exhibit about faith and the American West in Austin; the meanings of Juneteenth at an archaeological site in Brazoria County; restored historic mineral springs in Gonzales; the Texas roots of Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield; a tour of the iconic Battleship Texas.

Texas history museum explores faith and the American West

The title of the exhibit at the Bullock Texas State History Museum promises to cover quite a stretch of territory: “Acts of Faith: Religion & the American West.” After all, faith is an experience that touches, in one way or another, almost everyone.

The American West? Virtually all of the continental United States, more than 3 million square miles of it, was once considered “the West” by those newcomers from Europe who first settled on the eastern shores of what became the U.S. Those who arrived from the south did not think of it as the West but rather as El Norteño. READ MORE AT THE AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Juneteenth descendants are still writing its history

For years, Catherine Keys rode the school bus past the property. “I could tell it was a plantation,” she said, remembering the old buildings, some of which have since been torn down. But she didn’t think much of it.

Decades later, her own relationship with the history suddenly became clear. Scanning the names of enslaved people who once labored there on the Levi Jordan Plantation, she saw a familiar name. Robert Wright. Her great-great grandfather. “I was amazed,” said Keys, 72. “It was something to see.”

She had always known slavery was part of her past. She celebrated Juneteenth every year in her Brazoria County hometown. But she's still learning what that day really meant to Texas and to her family. READ MORE AT THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Restored historic mineral springs oasis opens

Less than two hours away from San Antonio and Austin, you'll find a mineral springs oasis steeped with rich Texas history. Ottine Mineral Springs, a scenic site that once provided healing waters to treat polio patients, underwent major renovations to rejuvenate the sanctuary into a public wellness experience.

The 40-acre property sits adjacent to Palmetto State Park in Gonzales a little over an hour away east of San Antonio, offering classic Texas views of lush treetops. Inside a small town once named Ottine, the establishment opened in June and offers several mineral-rich pools, including two in a highly sought-after private area that can only be accessed through reservations. READ MORE AT MYSA.COM

Mariska Hargitay tells mother Jayne Mansfield’s story including Texas roots

She’s right up there alongside Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor and a few others as one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, but a tragic accident took her life at just 34 years old.

Jayne Mansfield starred in movies, posed for posters and wasn’t afraid to put herself on display or share her life with the public. But because she died so young, the story of her life is left to her children — remaining relevant nearly 60 years later after her passing in a world that, since her time, has made sex one of the most significant elements of Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

One of Mansfield’s children is actress Mariska Hargitay, star of the long-running NBC series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “SVU” for short, and in her new documentary “My Mom, Jayne,” Hargitay tells the story of her mother from her point of view. READ MORE AT THE MIDLAND REPORTER-TIMES

'Normandy Tour' reopens Battleship Texas areas that were closed for years

It's been a long time coming, but the Battleship Texas is gradually getting ready to have company over again. For the next two months, its caretakers are inviting small groups to come aboard and explore areas of the ship that haven't been open to the public since 2019.

Its recently wrapped Restoration Tour focused largely on the efforts to restore the ship's deck, captain's cabin and battery of anti-aircraft and 5" guns. The Normandy Tour, Battleship Texas Foundation's next Sunday-only excursion — $100 and two hours well spent — highlights the pivotal role the ship played in Operation Neptune, the grueling series of June 1944 battles that began to prise northern France from Nazi clutches. READ MORE AT CHRON.COM