08/19/2025
The old home place, the roots, the faith.
It's what is missing in today's world. It’s steeped in history and wisdom from a different time.
With it’s old well providing water to weary travelers from the East upon their approach to the oldest town in Texas at the turn of the 20th century, to it’s pasture witnessing the debris caused by a tragedy of space exploration gone awry in 2003, it’s provided a home and livelihood for a family of 8.
Yesterday marked 17 years since the matriarch of this old place, Ruby Gertrude (Duke) Alders, saw her last sunrise here. Still miss her greatly.
Arguably one of Nacogdoches county’s finest 1925 rural homes, it was built by Charles Popp from the very virgin pine timber that grew where the house now stands. In 1945 it was paid for by the blood, sweat and tears of an East Texas preacher farmer alongside his beloved wife and children. A place where the joys, pains, memories, but more importantly a foundation of faiths and family was instilled in the hearts of many. A heritage that sustains so many of us to this day.
It stands, 100 years later, as a symbol of what was and what we all can become should we choose to neglect our foundational principles. Without a vigilant effort to nurture and maintain it, our roots will decay and lead to a shaky house of cards that may stand, but in disrepair. A shell, ripe for destruction when certain storms of life blow by.
I’ll be forever thankful for my heritage. I count it a huge blessing life roads have led me back here to call it home. My passion to preserve and celebrate it will continue. It is, after all, the very least I can do.
Miss you MeMaw...
I Love Texas
