The Progressive Era (ca. 1900-1920) Archives | Texapedia

20th Century History Texas History

Alcohol Prohibition in Texas, 1919–1935

Explore the rise and fall of alcohol prohibition in Texas—covering the origins of the ban, enforcement, bootlegging, and ultimate repeal.

Texapedia StaffJuly 18, 2025

Newspaper with headline saying "Ferguson impeached as governor of Texas."

20th Century History Texas History

The Impeachment of Governor James Ferguson

In 1917, James E. Ferguson became the only Texas governor ever impeached and removed from office, ending his populist tenure in a dramatic showdown over executive overreach.

Texapedia StaffJuly 16, 2025

20th Century History Biography Governors of Texas

Pat Neff: Pro-Labor Baptist Governor of the 1920s

Pat Morris Neff served as Texas’s 28th governor, championing public education, public parks, and Prohibition during the 1920s.

Texapedia StaffOctober 9, 2025

Biography

Jane McCallum: Suffragist and Texas Secretary of State

Texas suffragist and reformer Jane McCallum led the campaign for women’s voting rights, organized the “Petticoat Lobby,” and served as secretary of state from 1927 to 1933.

Texapedia StaffNovember 2, 2025

20th Century History Biography Governors of Texas

W.P. Hobby: Texas Governor Who Backed Women’s Suffrage and Alcohol Ban

William P. Hobby, Texas governor from 1917 to 1921, led during the Progressive Era, guiding the state through World War I, Prohibition, and the adoption of women’s suffrage.

Texapedia StaffSeptember 16, 2025

Biography Governors of Texas

The Newspaperman Who Rose from Poverty to the Governor’s Mansion

Governor of Texas from 1911 to 1915, Oscar Colquitt blended rural populism with pro-business policies and opposition to Prohibition.

Texapedia StaffJuly 25, 2025

20th Century History Biography Governors of Texas

The Forgotten Governorship of S. W. T. Lanham

Though largely forgotten today, Lanham was a leading statesman for 40 years and a hard-working governor at the dawn of the Progressive Era.

Texapedia StaffJuly 18, 2025

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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