tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9738192.post114958787120252102..comments2023-12-30T11:06:11.492-06:00Comments on Brent's Blog: The Rock HouseBrent Clantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12626330033327572236noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9738192.post-1149737486260780232006-06-07T22:31:00.000-05:002006-06-07T22:31:00.000-05:00The famed Rock House in Milam County once blonged ...The famed Rock House in Milam County once blonged to James Beard noted writer and barber. In the late 1890's as the expansion westward resumed after the cvil war and the start of the Spanish American conflict,there was a need to spread information about facial hygene. Long beards were traditional on most males and handlebar moustaches became the acceptable style of American males. The problem was the hot humid climates of the southeast and along the gulf coast,provided males with facial hair a problem with skin rash. The alternative was to shave,but shaving soap always dried out the skin too much,leaving it chaped and inviting mosquitoes. James Beard set out to solve this problem and traveled along the gulf coast states to study he situation. He came across an idea,that proved to be not only a solution,but a comercially successful endeavor. He recalled one of his trips to Asia on how natives used a salve from the kakapupe tree of northern Siam and Burma that seemed to eliminate the rash on male faces. He immediately imported Kakapupe leaves and set up a shop selling this valuable salve at the Beard House. He added by products of Santa Gertrudis cattle so it would form a a cream. His innovation was so successful,it lead to an other innovation;advertising. He again traveled along the gulfcoast states placing small signs every 100 feet along major roads leading to his house. It was a 3 year effort, but it paid off. Hundreds descended on the Beard House where men lined up for the very popular close shave. He named the soothing cream after its point of origin;"Burma Shave".<BR/>Now you know the rest of the story<BR/><BR/>Not Really<BR/>RayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com