On June 4, 1923, legislation was approved--to be effective 90 days later--that all executions were to be held at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. The first electrocution in Texas took place on Feb. 8, 1924. From that time until the last electrocution took place on July 30, 1964, 361 men had died. Although there were two women on Death Row, no woman was ever electrocuted in Texas. The sentence for one was commuted to life in prison in 1951, and she died in prison. The other woman won a new trial in 1966, was given a 15-year sentence, served her time and was released.

Until five years ago the main source of income for the county was peanuts. That has been surpassed by tourist dollars. There are several events held in the Historical Town Square each year such as art shows, antique auto shows, antique tractor shows, General Granburys Birthday Celebration, etc.. The Fourth of July Celebration and Parade is the largest in Texas now. There is an annual Civil War Re-enactment held on a farm nearby that brings re-enactors from all over the U.S..

Since the formation of Lake Granbury in 1969, the population of Hood County has grown tremendously. In 1970 the population of the county was 8,841. Within 10 years that number had increased to 17,714, making Hood one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. Today, the population of Hood County is just above 53,000.

In 1960 Granbury was little more than a sleepy little county seat, with its young people going off to the big city and its town square and fine old homes falling into disrepair. But Lake Granbury changed all of that.

The area has undergone, and still enjoys to some extent, an immense residential construction boom. The lake's picturesque shorelines have become a haven for homeowners and fishermen.

After the lake's completion, residential developments sprang up at Pecan Plantation, DeCordova Bend Estates, Water's Edge and many other places. New developments continue to appear.

Lake Granbury has become one of the prime retirement spots for people in th D/FW area and across North Texas. Many people own retirement homes and property on Lake Granbury, taking in its beauty on the weekends and later in life.

Young people also flock to Lake Granbury. Anglers search for largemouth bass, stripers, croppie, sand bass and catfish in the lake. Skiers can enjoy its 35 miles of terrain.

Reproduced in part from the Hood County News.

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The tall red building in the background with the spire was built as a bank and was operational until a few short years ago. It now houses law firms, convient to the court house.

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The tallest building with the red brick trim is "The Granbury Opera House." It was re-established in 1975 and has been having stage plays continuously since.

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The corner building in front of the "Woodie" and the white Mustang Convertable was the first gas station in Granbury and the gas pumps under the overhang were just removed this year.

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Top photo is a 1925 model bus that takes tourists on a tour of town. Cost of tour on days ending in "y" $6.00, all other days $6.00. There are still original log cabins dating back to the 1850's and many beautiful large Victorian Homes built in the 1870's-1890's. A few of them have been converted into B&B's but all are still occupied, some still by relatives of the original builders, exception being the log homes and log stores. The middle photo is the home base of the bus and the horse hacks. The closest building was a continuously operated bank from the 1880's until three years ago when it became a Masonic Lodge. The building behind the horse hacks was a Kaiser-Frazier Dealership (see sign) and on it's closing became a John Deere Tractor Dealership and Repair Shop and was in operation until recently when it became a resturant. On the far end of the block was the first gas station.

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Daniel with the owner of 1958 Thunderbird. I had a dark green one just like it in the 1960's with the big engine. It would cruise for hours at 120 MPH with no sensation of motion at all. It was like sitting in an easy chair in the living room. You couldn't hear the engine or feel any vibration. The only indication of motion at that speed was seeing the countryside going by the side windows very fast! It was the second favorite car I've ever owned. Most favorite was a 1956 Chevvy Bel Aire Convertable.

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The white building at the far end of this block at the intersection is a bank and has been in continuous operation as such since it was built in the 1880's. There is a modern drive through in the back.

© 1997 ogeretla@webtv.net

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