A
wise elderly woman once explained that every stereotype
has some basis in fact. The stereotype of the western
American frontier town could very easily have sprung
from a city much like Nacogdoches. Its City Hall could
is a model for Hollywood set designers. Typical frontier
design with an arcade beneath a balcony.
White columns contrast with the brick facade. Before
it was a government building, it was The Liberty Hotel.
Then it became an apartment building. Then in 1974
was bought by the city and it became the Gladys Hampton
building, named after a woman who worked was once
the director of the state's Welfare department. More
significant, however, if the fact that this is where
General Sam Houston's first home in Texas was located.
It was built in 1836 by John Forbes and purchased
by Houston three years later. One thing you'll notice
on the balcony is a series of flags. This is not uncommon
in Texas because many of the people who live there
boast that their land has been ruled by six different
nations. It is this fact that gave the Six Flags theme
park chain its name. But even most Texans don't realize
that parts of their state have been under the control
of seven, eight, and even nine countries. Nacogdoches
is one of them. It has been:
