LBJ Time Machine
May 7, 1967. At the Ranch LBJ hosts what the Daily Diary describes as a “STRICTLY OFF THE RECORD MEETING: (a fundraising dinner in Texas in the near future).” The next day, LBJ greets the public at Randolph Air Force Base before his return to Washington.
LBJ Presidential Library photos #5314-8 and #5319-07, public domain.
April 1, 1967. 1:57 PM. The Latin American ambassadors enjoy barbecue at the Ranch, They are joined by many eminent Texans, including Governor John Connally and Cong. Jake Pickle, Senator John Tower, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Ben Barnes—and a mariachi band from Brownsville.
After remarks by emcee Cactus Pryor, a TV personality on the Johnsons’ station KTBC, entertainment is provided by Fort Griffin Fandangle of Albany, Texas. According to the Daily Diary, the troupe reenacted the history of Texas—complete with Indians, cowboys, missionaries, and covered wagons—with a cast of breathtaking diversity:
“The entire cast consists of amateurs ranging from the town doctor, a Methodist Minister, 3 millionaires, a number of graduates from Yale and Princeton, beauty shop operator, telephone operator, deputy sheriff, housewives and gas station operator.”
LBJ Presidential Library photos C4925-25a, C4885-11, C4885-34a, C4901-10, C4893-24a, C4887-13, C4894-9a, C4886-6, C4891-10, C4934-21; public domain.
December 30, 1966. Lady Bird Johnson, President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Don Thomas look at art in the LBJ Ranch hangar.
LBJ Presidential Library photo #4219-0020, public domain.
December 21, 1966. 7:09 PM. LBJ is exasperated after spending the day with the Democratic state governors at the Ranch. LBJ tells Dean Rusk (starts at about 2:00) that they were “all rambunctious… rather insulting and so was I, so we didn’t do very well.”
Their complaints are about domestic issues, poverty programs, civil rights and patronage, LBJ says. Rusk then reports on questions he received at his press conference, on anti-ballistic missiles, Vietnam, and Food for India program.
LBJ Presidential Library photo #W526-3.
December 21, 1966. LBJ makes his case to a meeting of Democratic state Governors at the LBJ Ranch. The meeting was by request of the Governors, who had determined at a meeting of their own in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, earlier in December that they needed more input into the creation of federal policies that impact their states, You can read those meeting notes here. As Lady Bird noted on Dec. 16, their unhappiness with some of White House’s policies had become national news, and LBJ hopes to soothe their ruffled feathers.
From left to right, those facing the camera only) Gov. Richard Hughes (New Jersey), President Lyndon B. Johnson, aide Marvin Watson, (former) Gov. Farris Bryant (Florida). Other governors in attendance today are: Dan K. Moore (North Carolina), Robert E. McNair (South Carolina), Mills E. Godwin, Jr. (Virginia), Hulett Smith (West Virginia), Philip H. Hoff (Vermont), Harold E. Hughes (Iowa), John Connally (Texas), Karl F. Rolvaag (Minnesota), and Warren E. Hearnes (Missouri).
LBJ Presidential Library photo #4164-19.
September 23-24, 1966. LBJ and Lady Bird head to the ranch for a couple of days, and a White House photographer snaps this picture there of a curious deer.
LBJ Presidential Library #C3224-30A, public domain.
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