Frank X. Tolbert facts for kids
Frank X. Tolbert (born July 27, 1912 – died January 10, 1984) was a famous writer and historian from Texas. He loved to write about Texas history and also enjoyed chili! For many years, he wrote a popular newspaper column called Tolbert's Texas in the Dallas Morning News. This column shared interesting stories about local history from 1946 until he passed away in 1984.
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About Frank X. Tolbert
Frank X. Tolbert was born in Amarillo. He grew up in Wichita Falls and Canyon. He went to different colleges but did not get a special degree.
Before becoming a history writer, he was a sports writer. He wrote for newspapers like the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He also wrote articles for popular magazines.
Serving His Country
During World War II, Frank Tolbert served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He married Kathleen Hoover in December 1943. After the war, in 1946, he joined the Dallas Morning News. There, he became a regular writer, sharing stories about interesting Texans.
His Love for Chili
Frank Tolbert was also a big fan of food, especially chili! He wrote a book about the history of chili con carne called A Bowl of Red. He even had his own chili restaurant in Dallas called Tolbert's.
In 1967, he helped start the World Chili Championship. He created this famous cooking contest with his friend Wick Fowler. It is held every year in Terlingua, Texas. Later, the championship was named after them. You might have even seen him in TV ads for Dennison's canned chili in the late 1970s!
His Family's Legacy
Frank Tolbert passed away at age 71. His son, Frank X. Tolbert II, is an artist and also a chili chef. His daughter, Kathleen Tolbert Ryan, reopened a Tolbert's Restaurant in May 2006. It is located on Main Street in Grapevine, Texas. This restaurant serves Frank X. Tolbert's famous chili recipe. It has been called one of the best chili spots in America!
Books by Frank X. Tolbert
Frank X. Tolbert wrote many books. Some were made-up stories (fiction), and others were based on real facts (non-fiction).
Story Books (Fiction)
- Bigamy Jones (1954)
- The Staked Plain (1958)
Fact Books (Non-fiction)
- An Informal History of Texas (1951)
- Neiman-Marcus, Texas (1953)
- The Day of San Jacinto (1959)
- Dick Dowling at Sabine Pass (1962)
- A Bowl of Red (1972)
- Tolbert's Texas (1983)
- Tolbert of Texas: the Man and His Work (1986)
