A fifteen-year-old high school cheerleader is killed while driving on a dangerous curve one afternoon. By that night, her classmates have erected a roadside cross decorated with silk flowers, not as a grim warning, but as a loving memorial. In this study of roadside crosses, the first of its kind, Holly Everett presents the history of these unique commemoratives and their relationship to contemporary memorial culture. The meaning of these markers is presented in the words of grieving parents, high school students, public officials, and private individuals whom the author interviewed during her fieldwork in Texas. Everett documents over thirty-five memorial sites with twenty-five photographs representing the wide range of creativity. Examining the complex interplay of politics, culture, and belief, she emphasizes the importance of religious expression in everyday life and analyzes responses to death that this tradition. Roadside crosses are a meeting place for communication, remembrance, and reflection, embodying on-going relationships between the living and the dead. They are a bridge between personal and communal pain–and one of the oldest forms of memorial culture. Scholars in folklore, American studies, cultural geography, cultural/social history, and material culture studies will be especially interested in this study.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about George McGovern returning to Texas to campaign.

Tri-weekly newspaper from Austin, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with extensive advertising.

Photo of employees standing next to A&A insurance sign. Austin, Texas.

Photo of employees standing next to A&A insurance sign. Austin, Texas.

View of Walker's Austex Chili Company, with a truck and employees in front of the building in Austin, Texas.

Weekly newspaper from Austin, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Austin, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Austin, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with advertising.

Memorandum outlining a request for commanding officers to submit a report on the influenza epidemic in their command areas.

Interview with Louis Meade Burton and Patricia Ruth Scott Burton, a couple who were involved with the school system in Kerrville, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Burton discuss their family histories, their move move to the area, Pat's work with the Tivy school system, Louis's coaching career, and the flood of 1932. The interview includes photographs of the couple and their family, on pages 27-37.

Letter from Kenneth McCalla to Truett Latimer discussing an enclosed statement McCalla made to State Highway Commission on behalf of the Texas Railroad Association.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Letter from Baker, Botts, Andrews & Shepherd to Joe D. Carter discussing the adjustment of article powers related to waste disposal.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, covering a news story about George McGovern visiting Texas for his campaign.

Weekly student newspaper from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas that includes news and information of interest to the college community along with advertising.

Weekly student newspaper from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas that includes news and information of interest to the college community along with advertising.

Student newspaper from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas that includes news and information of interest to the college community along with advertising.

Biweekly student newspaper from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas that includes news and information of interest to the college community along with advertising.

Student newspaper from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas that includes news and information of interest to the college community along with advertising.