As a Baylor freshman in the early 1980’s, the town of West, Texas was THE place to spend Friday nights. Piling into a friend’s car, we drove the short trip north from Waco and flooded into the West Fraternal Hall wearing denim skirts and brand-spanking-new Luccheses.
West was where I first danced the Cotton-Eyed Joe.
Settled in the 1880’s by Czech and German immigrants, West is home to world-famous fruit kolaches—heavenly fruit pastries that lure in travelers speeding between Dallas and Austin all day, every day. And for Baylor students, the Czech Stop bakery was worth the drive across the Brazos River on Saturday mornings.
Last week in West, a massive explosion flattened a fertilizer plant killing 14 and injuring 200 of the town’s 2,600+/- people. Homes, businesses, lives were destroyed. Once again we are reminded how everything can change in the blink of an eye.
Praying for the people of West, Texas…
talya
Cotton-eyed Joe, Bill Monroe
This was so good- the history of West.This was such a terrible think to happen to this small town.
“This is where I danced the Cotton-Eyed Joe.” In red cowboy boots, no doubt.
We don’t want to forget their loss, pain and fear in the wake of the Boston tragedy. Prayers are in order, for sure!
I’m so glad I stopped on this post. When I was 18 (in 1980), a couple of my cousins took me to West to go dancing. I’m sure it was on a Sat. night, and it must’ve been at the Fraternal Hall. My great aunt used to make the most awesome kolaches EVER.
I forgot to mention: I had danced the Cotton Eyed Joe before, but that was were my cousin taught me to polka!
Awesome post, Talya. The folks from West, Texas are in my thoughts and prayers as they try to put their lives back together after this terrible tragedy. Thank you for taking the time to share West’s history with those of us who are unfamiliar with this town. I heard Obama, in his speech yesterday in West, that the former President G.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, asked Obama to mention kolaches. I thought Obama was referring to a family named kolache…shows you how unWestified I am…or was until I read your story here.=)