Mapping Out the Story

Features

Related Photos

Map of Texas with parts of the adjoining states, compiled by Stephen F. Austin, 1837
Texas Coast showing points of occupation of expedition under Maj. Gen. N.P. Banks around 1863
Boundaries between Brownsville,?Texas and Matamoros, Tam. (Mexico) 1910
Don Blevins

March 11, 2010

San Marcos author Blevins releases book on Texas maps

By Jeff Walker Features Editor The San Marcos Record Thu Mar 11, 2010, 09:29 AM CST

San Marcos — The first time Don Blevins glanced at the maps, he wanted to head in the other direction.

But the more he studied them, the more the stories came to light.

The San Marcos man recently released his fifth book,”Texas: Mapping the Lone Star State through History.” A book of maps ranging from the early days of Spanish exploration to the 20th Century, Blevins wrote the narratives for the maps as well as for the six eras covered in the book.

But it wasn’t easy at first.

“The maps themselves threw me for a loop. I looked at them and said ‘you’ve got to be kidding me.’ I couldn’t read them,” Blevins said. “But the more I studied them, I realized that there’s a lot to this and a lot could be made of (the maps).”

Cartographer Vincent Virga selected the maps from the Library of Congress and then Blevins spent time researching events surrounding the maps. Blevins did all the research and writing in only 90 days. The book will be used primarily as an academic resource, Blevins said.

“I have a couple hundred or so books on Texas history at home,” Blevins said. “So I would get out my maps and books and write the narrative on each particular map.”

A Texas history buff, Blevins has authored four other books, three of which cover the Lone Star State: “Texas Towns: From Abner to Zipperlandville,” “A Priest, a Prostitute and Some Other Early Texans” and “From Legends to Hellcats: Legendary Texas Women, 1836 to 1880.” He’s also written magazine articles more than 50 publications, including True West, German Life, American History Illustrated, Fate, Old Farmer’s Almanac and Country Living Magazine.

A native of Johnson City, Tenn., Blevins came to San Marcos in 1965. He began writing articles in the 70s while in the Air Force.

Blevins earned his Masters with a concentration on Southwestern studies from TSU and is a member of the Texas State Historical Association, The Writer's League and the Coalition of Texas Authors.

Text Only

Features

Veggie Heaven
“Vegetables can be beautiful,” says Suzi Fields, and a case in point is her artfully landscaped curbside garden at 1013 Field Street (names Suzi Fields and Field Street are coincidental), which is Spring Lake Garden Club Yard of the Month.

February 12, 2012 1 Photo
HEB customers the big winners in Souper Bowl project
HEB customers throughout Kyle, Buda and San Marcos unanimously win MVP for this year's Souper Bowl of Caring, says local food bank community relations coordinator Jane Moore.

February 10, 2012
A Culinary Adventure
If the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then true, long-lasting love exists through a pair of adventurous eaters.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Plenty of love going into TVM fundraiser
More than 200 volunteers, 30 flats of strawberries, 470 pounds of chocolate and immeasurable amounts of love go into True Vineyards Ministries annual valentine's chocolate-covered strawberry sale.

February 10, 2012
Food for Thought
Several Hays County youth participated in the District 10 4-H Food Challenge held recently at Texas State University.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Discover new, great reads with BookLetters website
“I was watching The Today Show and they reviewed Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith."

February 8, 2012
The Heat is On
It should come as no surprise that the next few months will be drier and warmer than normal.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Celebrating a Legend
Doug Lawrence was an up-and-coming tenor sax player, having played with Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and more, when he crossed paths with jazz pioneer — and San Marcos native — Eddie Durham in 1982.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
‘Happy Birthday’ perfect antidote for winter blues
As the perfect antidote to winter blues, the Wimberley Players will open a rollicking farce, “Happy Birthday” by Marc Camoletti and adapted by Beverley Cross, today at the Wimberley Playhouse.

February 3, 2012
Counting down the many uses of corn
Nothing is more American than corn.

February 2, 2012
More Features Headlines

Features

Search Results

Related Photos

Mapping Out the Story

San Marcos author Blevins releases book on Texas maps

Site Map

Contact Us