Written by Mary Jackson. Long time employee at the General Land Office
In this photo from the 1980’s, the Texas Travel Center used to be situated in the foyer of the Texas State Capitol. The young woman to the right, behind the desk is Mary Jackson.
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.
Take it away, Mary!
“Ghosts Just Wanna Have Fun!” We had a cute DPS trooper named Cindy, who would wear her long blonde hair in an adorably high ponytail. Cindy had been complaining about strange noises in the Lieutenant Governor’s Reception Room. One morning (forget midnight! Our ghosts love predawn!) a lot of noises were coming from this room, so Cindy made a coworker go in with her. Investigating by quietly walking around the room, Cindy felt someone pull her ponytail, hard! When she spun around to yell at her coworker, she saw him standing across the room with an expression that said, “Why did your hair just do that?”
