West Texas Roots
West Texas Roots is KACU’s oral history project which collects the stories of individuals and families of West Texas. These are stories that help paint a picture of the building/founding of West Texas as well as recalling other moments of the region’s unique history.
West Texas Roots is made possible in part by a grant from the Doctor Paula Windham Fund for Education and Community Development—through the Community Foundation of Abilene. And from a Gift from the Doris Miller and Don Fitzgibbons Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Abilene.
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Got a family tale to tell? A love story made for a country song? Family roots in Business, education, agriculture, and religion? Did your great-grandfather's farm survive severe weather hardships or wild hogs?
Or do you have anything you want us to know? Help us uncover West Texas Roots by telling your story.
Latest Episodes
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We hear from artist and cultural educator Matilda Torres, who shares a powerful interpretation of Mesoamerican mythology through the story of Cihuateteo — the divine women who die in childbirth and return as hummingbirds. Here’s Torres, reflecting on the sacred feminine, the setting sun, and the enduring wisdom passed down through generations. -
It’s time for West Texas Roots, where we uncover the stories etched into the land, language, and lives of the people who’ve called this region home for generations.We join educator and cultural interpreter Jeremy Elliott at a sacred rock art site in the Concho Valley. As he walks us through one panel in particular—marked with symbols and solar alignments—he uncovers more than just ancient art. He explores the ways Plains people recorded language, marked time, and passed down their understanding of life, death, and ceremony.
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We hear a story that stretches from the streets of San Angelo to the shores of World War II and the icy roads of Alaska. One West Texan shares memories of his father’s service overseas, gas wars on Sherwood Way, and growing up in a time when adventure and hardship were part of everyday life. It’s a window into how one family’s journey through war, military life, and small-town Texas helped shape their sense of home and identity. Here’s their story.
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Today we hear from a lifelong educator and farmer whose career spans classrooms, cutting-edge video conferencing that predates FaceTime, and decades of West Texas agriculture. From managing high school hallways to coaxing spinach out of dry soil, he’s seen—and sown—a lot of change. Now retired, he reflects on a lifetime of growing things, both in minds and in the ground.
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In the heart of West Texas, the Hall and Leppard families helped shape a legacy that started with two young men chasing opportunity in the oil fields. What began as a journey from Mississippi to Midland and Odessa would eventually lead to the founding of a Chevrolet dealership that’s still known across the region today. In this story, a relative recounts how hard work, family ties, and a kitchen table decision built what would become Lawrence Hall Chevrolet in Anson.
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We’re journeying to North Coleman County, where one family’s connection to the land spans generations—and continents. What began with an Englishman managing royal estates for the King of England eventually led to a vast Texas ranch stretching across Coleman, Callahan, and Taylor counties.
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The cowboys of the West Texas of old have plenty of tales to tell. Judy Davis shares some of those tales, passed down from her parents and grandparents from their youth in Okra, Texas. We’ll hear all about playing in the creek, hunting spotted cats, and telling stories that endure through generations.
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We’re hearing from Becky Lovvorn. She's the co-owner of ML Farms in Stamford, Texas, where her family grows cotton, wheat, and raises cattle. She's also a key part of the Abilene Farmers Market, which has been connecting the community with local produce and farm goods since 1983.
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A staple of West Texas is the small town with a big history. Nestled in West-Central Texas, within the bounds of Brown County, lies the small town of Bangs, Texas. Let’s have a listen about the man who this town was named after, and how his printing career led to local fame and an enduring legacy throughout the region. Tom Bowden has the story.
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When it comes to the holidays, lots of people have family traditions. Some of those may even seem strange to outsiders. But have you ever seen a holiday tradition that was creepy? What about crawly? On today’s edition of West Texas Roots, we’ll hear about how one family developed a tradition all about the Texas tarantula.