Red-brick smokestack of the Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company. EVOLUTION OF AN OIL COMPANY

Photograph of the Smokestack Restaurant in Thurbur, Texas. The restaurant is red with green trim and the parking lot in front of the building is filled with cars and several people standing around a group of motorcycles. The edge of a field is visible in the foreground of the picture.

Anthology, the literary journal of Tarleton State University, is produced by students and sponsored by the English department. The publication provides a student forum for literary and visual expression, including original short stories, essays, poetry, artwork, musical compositions, and other creative works.

W. K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas, Tarleton State University.

Red-brick smokestack of the Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company. EVOLUTION OF AN OIL COMPANY

Photograph of the fire station in Thurber, Texas. The building is painted red with white trim and part of the brick smokestack is visible on the right.

Photograph of a two-story building in Thurber, Texas that used to be a gas station, viewed from the back. Part of the second story forms an overhang where gas pumps are visible; it also has a taller platform with a railing that has a "Thurber" sign on the side and a "Thurber Tipple" sign near the roof. A newer sign on the side of the building says "Thurber 'Tiques & Treasures" as well as "Western Art * Antiques * Crafts * Collectibles & Gifts." Other signs on the building say "Oil Change," "Fish Bait," "Hay for Sale," and "New-Used Tires." A restaurant building is visible in the background.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate designating Dublin as the official Irish Capital of Texas.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the student enrollment required for the operation of Texas A&M University--Central Texas as an independent general academic teaching institution.

Yearbook for Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas includes photos of and information about the school, student body, professors, and organizations. Index starts on page 202.

Research for an article about Thurber, Texas that was published in the June 2005 issue of Texas Highways magazine.

Photograph of a historic plaque in Thurber, Texas. It reads: "Thurber. Most important mine site in Texas for 30 years. Coal here, probably known to Indians, was "discovered" in 1886 by W. W. Johnson, who with his brother Harvey sold out to Texas & Pacific Coal Company in 1888. (T. & P. Coal Company provided fuel for the Texas & Pacific Railroad, but was independently owned. Town was named for H. K. Thurber, friend of T. & P. Coal Company founders. Most dynamic firm member was Robert D. Hunter (1833 - 1902), developer of 7 of 15 mines. Next president was E. L. Marston, Hunter's son-in-law, who left mining largely to William K. Gordon (1862 - 1949), an engineer who brought daily output to 3,000 tons. Then in 1917, Gordon (backed by management of coal company) was primarily responsible for discovery of Range Oil Field, 20 miles west. Adoption of oil-burning railway locomotives cut demand for coal. Last mine here closed in 1921, and the 10,000 or more inhabitants of Thurber began to move away. The coal firm changed its name to Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company and was sold in 1963 to Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., …

Alumni magazine of Tarleton State University providing information on events at the school and news about university students, staff, and alumni.

Alumni magazine of Tarleton State University providing information on events at the school and news about university students, staff, and alumni.

Alumni magazine of Tarleton State University providing information on events at the school and news about university students, staff, and alumni.

Photograph looking up at the interior tower wall of the Erath County Courthouse in Stephenville. The wall is made entirely of stone, and there is a wooden staircase leading upwards at the top of the photo. There are also several lamps on the two floors visible.

Photograph of the interior tower wall of the Erath County Courthouse in Stephenville. The inside of the building is made of stone, and there is a wooden staircase leading to upper levels.

Photograph of the old First National Bank building in Stephenville, which currently houses the law office of Boyd Waggoner. It is a stone building, with a tower above the entrance.

Photograph of the Erath County Courthouse in Stephenville. It is a four-story building made of red and white stones with a clock tower at the top. There is a flagpole in front of the building, and trees on the lawn on either side of the entrance.

Photograph of a sign in Stephenville advertising local dairy industry statistics.

Photograph of the Erath County Honor Roll Memorial, for casualties of WWI and WWII. It is a stone with names engraved into it, and an American flag placed behind it.

Photograph of the Erath County Veterans Memorial. It is made of three stones. The largest, middle stone reads: "Erath County honors its veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and other military actions." The left stone says "Duty, Honor, Country," and the right says "Our men and women of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines." A line of text at the bottom of the memorial declares that it was "Donated by citizens, businesses, and organizations of Erath County."

Photograph of a monument in honor of Major George B. Erath, erected by the Sons and Daughters of Confederate Veterans in 2001. A picture of a Confederate and Texas flags are crossed at the top of the monument. It reads: "In Memory of Major George B. Erath, CSA and the more than 600 Confederate veterans of the War Between the States, who rest beneath the rich soil of Erath County. Ordinary men from across the South took up arms to fight an extraordinary war. Together they became one of the most acclaimed fighting forces in military history. The South devastated by war and the hard life during Reconstruction caused families to move to Texas where they hoped for a better life. Erath County prospered as veterans built homes, schools, churches, farms and businesses. CSA veterans became leaders in our towns and communities. They are our ancestors. Their lives, our sacred heritage, we remember with honor and devotion."

Sign at the Stephenville Museum