A Whale That Flies: The Evolution of State-Sponsored Texas Tourism to 1973

The purpose of this study was to analyze the evolution of state-sponsored tourism in Texas through 1973 and to examine how the narratives promoted by that advertising compared to, contrasted with, and were influenced by popular culture and accepted myths of state lore. Due to restrictions in the state’s constitution, public funds could not be expended to advertise the state as a tourist destination until voters approved an amendment. After the amendment passed in 1958 and funding finally followed in 1963, the state’s late entry into the tourist industry presented a unique situation for the state and its messaging. Major primary sources for this project include various newspaper articles, legislative documents and interpretations, historical state reports, the Texas State Library and Archives, and numerous documents from the personal papers of Governor John B. Connally, 1938-1986, held at the LBJ Presidential Library.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Evans, Amy M

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Landdeck, Katherine S

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Hevron, Parker

• Tourism
• Texas Tourist Development Agency

Language dc:language.iso

English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/17402

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/17402