McDade Historical Society

10/21/2026

Believe this to be actor Douglas Fowler who played Doc Holiday on the 50s tv show The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp starring Hugh O'Brian.

Historical Society Meeting Monday, Oct 26, 7:00 p.m., 557 Old Hwy 20, McDade, TX.

10/18/2026

McDade Historical Society Updates
557 Old Hwy 20

• Volunteers have cleaned and prepped the green wall in the barroom (the building next to the museum). Friday, they will be painting. Stop by and take a gander.

• Flags downtown advertising businesses will be going up soon.

• Monday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. will be the last official meeting of the year. President Freddie Wilson is stepping down and will not accept the office again. Members will have to decide how to proceed without an acting president if no one steps up. Volunteers will still keep the museum open. Kathleen Grissom also hopes to relinquish her term as secretary. Even if you have no desire to hold office, please come to the meeting to help us decide the future of the Historical Society.

• On November 14th at 6:00, the Historical Society will host a George & Martha Washington Colonial Dinner with ham & biscuits and all the trimmings. An auction starts at 7:00. Between the dinner and the auction, there will be a Q&A on Revolutionary War history, with “revolutionary” prizes awarded. The event is free—donations welcome. Auction items can be paid for with cash, checks, or cards. The society will be raising money to purchase a new a/c unit in the museum and for funds to hold another Fourth of July fireworks show. Please bring any auction items by the museum on the first and second Saturday afternoon of the month or anytime you see a car down there with the doors open.

• In December, Merry Christmas flags will decorate the downtown flagpoles. Many thanks and blessings to the donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

• December 12th at 6:00 p.m., a stew supper will be held with a visit from Santa for the kids at 7:00.

• December 19th, at 7:00 p.m., the Historical Society will do a stage reading play of “George Washington’s Christmas Miracle” written by an award winning, but as of yet, unproduced screenwriter. (Justice Rides at Night is a finalist in the Wild Bunch Film Festival, winner to be announced later this month.) Free admission.

• December 25th, the museum continues a tradition by welcoming everyone to stop by between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 for free eggnog and sarsaparilla.

09/23/2026

08/15/2026

Since I am on the executive board of the McDade Historical Society and am usually the one posting things on Facebook, I get a lot of messages asking if we know about the proposed movie/tv series in the works about McDade’s wild west past.

Yes, we know, and we are here to help as much as we can. We cannot help financially because we just replaced the roof on two buildings and will have to replace the a/c in the museum in the near future. Movie makers have to please their investors; therefore, we will not have a direct say in what spin is put in the film. Nevertheless, we wish the filmmaker the best of luck with this project.

07/22/2026

Donaly Brice grew up in Lockhart, exploring where the Battle of Plum Creek took place on his family’s farm. After earning a Masters Degree in History from Sam Houston State University, he taught school before enlisting in the Navy. While serving at the Pentagon, he volunteered at the Smithsonian. Enjoying it so much, after leaving the military, rather than go back to teaching, he got a job at the Texas State Library, working his way up to the Reference Archivist for the library before retiring.

Donaly has written numerous books on Texas history, including “The Great Comanche Raid: Boldest Indian Attack of the Texas Republic.” He resides back in his hometown of Lockhart, sharing his knowledge and love of Texas history to multiple generations.

Free admission – Public welcome

07/05/2026

I don’t think anyone was prepared for the wild success of the fireworks show in McDade last night. Thanks to everyone who donated money and fireworks. Special thanks to David Kylberg and friends for setting off the fireworks and being safety conscious. It never would have happened without all of you.

(And thanks to other people “in the hood” who shared their fireworks.)

1776 – 2026 Blessings from The McDade Historical Society

Send a message to learn more

07/03/2026

Today, I bought another box of fireworks to donate for the show tomorrow night. Finley's Fireworks in the Elgin VFW parking lot has good prices and donated 3 more boxes for me to take.

Johnny Klemm is handling the money, it's not too late to donate cash. 512 and 940-1572. You can also buy a box of fireworks and drop them off at the museum tomorrow from 1:00 to 4:00 or bring them later that evening.

Happening tomorrow night, Downtown McDade, put in 557 Old Hwy 20 and it will take you there.

06/28/2026

Bring your lawnchairs to downtown McDade on July 4th for a friendly neighborhood fireworks show beginning at dark.

(Not a ten thousand dollar extravaganza. Not responsible for accidents. Remember to secure pets and be prepared for a little noise as we celebrate our nation's 250th birthday.)

God Bless the USA!