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Historic Site
Johnson City, TX and LBJ Ranch, Stonewall, TX - November 14, 2009
If one is a post WWII "Baby Boomer" and came of age during the turbulent 1960's then one remembers Lyndon Baines Johnson, or better known by his initials, LBJ. LBJ was the 36th President of the United States from 1963-1969. I was in ninth grade when the took office and a sophomore in college when he left office. I remember most distinctly his black and white image on our TV as we would watch the evening news with Walter Cronkite.

The Johnson Cabin. Sam Ealy and Eliza Johnson, Lyndon's grandparents, lived in this cabin from 1867-1872 while running a cattle ranch at this location.

Looking east. The west side of the cabin was originally built in 1856 with the east addition in 1868. The open area between the two sections was used for storage and relief from the heat of the hot summers in Texas and the construction is typical of this era. The cabins were known as "dogtrot" cabins as a dog could easily trot through the opening.

The front of the house LBJ grew up in in Johnson City looking south. This is a block or two to the NE of the Johnson Cabin.

The rear of the house with a screened in porch.

Thirteen miles to the west of Johnson City on US 290 is the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. It was actually here that LBJ was born before moving to Johnson City. He also died here about a mile from where he was born 65 years earlier.

The Johnson Family Cemetery.

This is a recreation of the house that LBJ was born in. It is about a mile to the east of the LBJ Ranch and the house he passed away in.

The Johnson Family still operates the Ranch and has landing strip located here. During LBJ's presidency he would fly into this strip to get home. He would have to change to a smaller aircraft for the final leg of the trip as this is too short for a Boeing 707 that was normally used as Air Force One.

Part of the National Park which is also an operating ranch.

LBJ was the last of the great politicians that served as President. He had spent all of his life in politics and many years in Washington honing his skills and learning how to get legislation passed. While the Vietnam War overshadowed his administration and legacy once one looks beyond that he was able to formulate and pass many significant acts that have had a long term benefit to the US.

The tetrahedron at the south end of the runway by the house.

Under the tree are some chairs and a table. It was here that LBJ held meetings outside with his staff and visitors and would "jawbone" those who did not think like he did. He was the master of getting persons to see his viewpoint through "jawboning".

By today's standards of "conspicuous consumption" by the wealthy and not so wealthy in this country, this is not a large house. For the Johnson's it was a home to live comfortably and raise their family on the land that they loved.

On the tour of the house.

Many decisions on US world policy, the war in Vietnam, and domestic issues were made here during the Johnson administration.

The bedroom on the right of the photo or the east end is where LBJ passed away in 1973.

This was about a mile to the west of where he was born.