We at Austin Ghost Tours have always maintained that if the titled of “Ambassador of Texas” was ever a “thing”, the undisputed winner, tiara and sash would go to Mary. Her authentic twang and greeting of “Howdy, Y’all” as you mosey up the the counter of the Travel Desk at the Capitol Visitors Center are the epitome of Lone Star State hospitality.
She has called AGT Founder Jeanine a friend for over 20 years,
and she calls tour guide Monica “the Ghost Whisperer.” Whenever a visitor, co-worker or even a DPS officer has something strange to report in or around the Texas State Capitol complex, Mary sends that story to us. She has worked in the Capitol Building, the Visitors Center and the Greer Building where the Highway Department is headquartered.
One week a few Octobers ago, Mary felt generous and gave us a story every weekday. Take it away, Mary!
The first is the “Lady in Red” at the Capitol. Rumor is that many years ago, she was in love with a legislator who was not available to marry her. Like that never happens. So, she’s given to hanging around the halls and foyers and hoping that things will turn out differently. A visitor reported seeing her one afternoon, and noticing her red Victorian dress, attempted to ask her if there was going to be a reenactment in the building, but she got annoyed and disappeared. She also scared the crap out of one of our custodians here at the Visitors Center when she got annoyed about all the sweeping around the staircase. Not sure why she was “slumming it” over in this building!
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