Ask B-Frog

Bookish Frog – who lives at TCU Press – answers your questions about Texas and the Southwest. Write him at tcupress@tcu.edu, and he’ll add your name to his pad-to-pad e-mail list.

B-Frog: Here’s a historical question: How did World War II affect this state? – Metroplex Resident

     The War profoundly impacted Texas, and we contributed mightily to the war effort. The U.S Secretary of the Navy at that time – Frank Knox – reported that Texas supplied a larger percentage of males to the military than any other state.

     More than 750,000 served, including 12,000 women. Thirty received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Farmersville’s Audie Murphy, who later became a movie star, was one of the War’s most decorated soldiers.

Dear B-Frog: What is the architectural style that you see in Austin, Texas, and the surrounding area? – Urban Gazer

     Austin’s architecture was greatly influenced by the 1920’s and 1930’s Greek revival style. It projected a modern flair represented through Art Deco and Art Moderne designs.

     Construction was made possible because of the Great Depression. In 1933, President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” plan established the Public Works Administration, a government organization meant to stimulate public works projects.

     Over $6 billion were spent constructing new hospitals, schools, and federal government buildings. These buildings were designed from the dominant architecture of that time, Art Deco.

     Art Deco is known for its many angular designs, highly ornamented symmetry, and colorful murals. Many towns surrounding Austin in the Texas Hill Country display this particular architectural stylein their federal buildings.

     If you want to read about -- and see pictures -- of Hill Country architecture, you may be interested in Hill Country Deco published by the TCU Press.

We want to hear from you! Send your questions to tcupress@tcu.edu. Find the books discussed in this column at your local bookstore or call 1-800-826-8911 to order.