Myra Hargrave McIlvain, a sixth-generation Texan, is a storyteller who began her career writing a family humor column while she raised her two children. After the nest emptied, her background in Texas history led to Austin, where she freelanced for the Texas Historical Commission writing markers that line the highways, designate historic homes, and chronicle the lives of cemetery residents.

Driven by her love for Texas stories, McIlvain’s writing career took a significant turn. She began penning articles for newspapers and magazines, including the esteemed Texas Highways. Her passion for Texas history and storytelling culminated in the authorship of six nonfiction books, each delving into the lives of famous and infamous Texas sites and characters.