Parker County Courthouse, Weatherford, built 1885, architects Dodson & Dudley

Photograph of a red brick building covered in vines and surrounded by trees and shrubs. The building, which is in the background of the image, is facing toward the left and has a flat top roof that is not visible. There is an open tunnel entrance made with red slatted wood on the righthand side of the building. Above this entrance there is a multipanel round top window. There is another smaller round top window beside the entrance close to the ground. Next to this window there is a white round top panel also positioned close to the ground. The side of the building is covered with healthy green vines. There is a large bushy tree covering most of the front of the building. The image is framed with the tops of bushes along the bottom of the foreground.

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.

Red-brick smokestack of the Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company, detail: 1908

Photograph of a sidewalk at Everman Park, which leads to a fountain. There are trees and plants on either side of the walkway, as well as in the middle of it.

T & P Depot offices of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council & Convention & Visitors Bureau 1101 N. 1st St.

T & P train depot detail

Photograph of the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring, Texas. Cars are parked in front of the building.

Photograph of the Heart of West Texas Museum. The view of the building is obscured by tall trees, and there is a white cannon to the left.

Photograph of the Colorado Steam Laundry, housed in a red brick building at the corner of an intersection in Colorado City.

MITCHELL COUNTY COURT HOUSE. Built 1924, architect David Castle.

Photograph of a historic marker. It reads: "Physician and Leader Dr. Preston C. Coleman (1853 - 1932). Born in Tennessee. Graduated from University of Louisville (KY.). Coming in 1883 to Colorado City, rode horseback or by buggy to ranches in 100-mile radius, practicing here rest of his life. Religion, medicine, and education were his chief concerns. He was a Texas & Pacific Railroad surgeon; 1895-96 president, Texas Medical Association; a fellow, American College of Surgeons; an elder in his church; moderator, 1930, Texas Presbyterian Synod; trustee, 1906-31, Austin College (Sherman); Vice President for life, West Texas Chamber of Commerce; was called "Father of Texas Tech" University. (1972)"

Photograph of a sign outside the Heart of West Texas Museum. It reads: "City of Colorado City, Heart of West Texas Museum, Special Events: Chief Lone Wolf Exhibit."

State Of Texas 1936. Mitchell County monument on courthouse grounds

Mitchell County settled after Indians left Texas in 1875, one of 128 counties created (Aug. 21, 1876) from Bexar Territory covering west Texas to the panhandle and El Paso. Named for Mitchell brothers, Asa and Eli, Texas war for independence veterans. Organized Jan. 10, 1881, when the railroad came, making county seat Colorado City west Texas "mother city" and first boom town. Oil, sheep and cattle ranching center, historic sites include Comanche Indian Village, Seven Wells, Last Buffalo Watering Hole, annual events: Colorado City Frontier Roundup and Tumbleweed Festival. (1965)

Photograph of a historic marker in Colorado City. It reads: "The Founding of Colorado City. Founded, 1880, at the crossing of the Colorado River and Texas & Pacific Railroad right-of-way: central shipping point and supply depot for the sprawling cattle ranches of west Texas and New Mexico. From 1880 (when A. W. Dunn opened his dirt-floor. Tent-roof General Store) to 1890. The boisterous cattle town garnered notoriety as well as fame. The largest community between Fort Worth and El Paso. Colorado City had more millionaires than any other Texas town and the most saloons in the west. Law and order was housed in a dugout at the edge of town. Where a company of Texas Rangers made all men check their guns. Modest, courageous Ranger Dick Ware was elected first sheriff in 1881. Population soared from 700 to 5,000 in the first two years. As cowboys, cattlemen, merchants, and (as a visitor said) "any number of bummers", vied for space. The first sermon was preached in a saloon and the town "jail" was a chain attached to a mesquite tree, but citizens could find beauty in the lantern-glow from dozens of tents in the center of town. Althought drought and …

HONORING ALL WHO SERVED FROM MITCHELL COUNTY AND DEDICATED TO THE EVERLASTING MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.

Photograph of the George Herman Mahon monument. There is a bust of Mahon atop the monument. A plaque under the bust says "George Herman Mahon (1900-1985) reared in Mitchell County. First United States Congressman elected to 19th District (elected to 22 terms, 1934-1978). Chairman, appropriations committee (1964-1978). Mitchell County attorney (1926-1927). 32nd Judicial District Attorney (1927-1934). A Statesman."

center piece: HONORING ALL WHO SERVED FROM MITCHELL COUNTY AND DEDICATED TO THE EVERLASTING MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.

MAURIECE R MACKEY NAT. L. MANN JACK McDOWELL BOBBY C. MILLER WILLIAM A. MOHLER WYATT B. MOORE LYNN R. MORRISON ROBERT H. MOSER JAMES E. NUNN VIVIAN PHILLIPS EVERETT A. POND RAYMOND E. PRICE JACK A. REID OREN M. RICHARDSON ANDREW B. ROBERTSON, JR. VAN C. SAWYER CURTIC SCOTT CORKEY SHEPPARD DON K. SHEPPARD PAUL F. STEADMAN HOMER M. TILLER HIRAM W. VENUS WELDON W. WARE PERCY C. WHITLOCK WALTER W. WILSON, JR. LESLIE WOOD JACKSON H. WYATT WILSON WYATT KEREAN CONFLICT AUBREY LEE BENSON VIETNAM CONFLICT ROBERT W. COOPER ROBERT O. DAVIS RICHARD KAYSER GERALD H. MARTIN MANUEL G. MARTINEZ RALPH M. SMITH GLENN STANDEFER

WORLD WAR I TORRANCE A. ALLISON ALLEN G. BIRMINGHAM WILLIAM E. BOHANNON JOHN H. BROWN ARNETT DANIELS JOHN ESTES R.S.GARLAND OREN C. HOOKER JUNIUS MERRITT J.S.PETERS CONNER POSEY JESSE J. UZZLE BILL M. WILLIAMS SID WIMBERLEY ANDY WRIGHT WORLD WAR II FRANK P. BLASSINGAME JAMES BODINE JOEL W. BRADLEY R.H.BREITHAUPT REBECCA A. BRITTON ROY E. BROOKSHIRE LEON H. CALLAN LAWTON B. CALLISON HAROLD A. CAPELLUTO RAYMOND CASTILLO SIDNEY G. CHURCHILL WILLARD I. CRANEILL J.D. DODSON JOHN M. DOSS LEWIS E. DUKE J.C. FORBUS HARRELL W. FULLER ROBERT R. GOUGE GORDON R. GRANT TEDE HALE DONALD W. HALL VELTON C. HAMPTON WILLIAM E. HARDEGREE DANIEL W. HARDIN CLARENCE H. HARREL BURNHARD K. HART HENRY J. HENLEY JOHN W. HODGES, JR. ANTON H. HOHERTZ MANN JARNIGAN CLARENCE B. JENNINGS DICK L. JONES LOMAX W. JONES TOMAS LARES WILLIAM R. LONG JOSE C. LUERA

Photograph of a World War II veterans memorial in Sweetwater, Texas. It reads: "Honor Roll World War II: Jose A. Alcala, Norman P. Alston, Walter P. Anderson, Jr., Robert Anthony, Odis L. Apple, Jr., James W. Barkley, Johnny C. Belt, Oscar A. Bennett, James Lee Berry, Winston J. Bradford, Arlin W. Brown, Deverle Brown, Earl A. Bryant, William R. Burkett, Earl Brown, Brown Thomas B., R. C. Chapman, Roy Clay, Jr., Valton C. Clayton, Chester V. Crain, Edward E. Davis, Neal C. Davison, Jr., Ollie G. Dismuke, Jess W. Dooley, Troy R. Dooley, Jimmie Doyle, Sie S. Edwards, Jack C. Elliston, Forest F. Gartman, Raymond George, Billy B. Gibbs, Willie E. Ingram, Leroy Giesler, James V. Gillenwater Thomas T. Gillilan, Thomas P. Glass, Ernest W. Hagar, James A. Hall, David Hanks, Alfred C. Harris, Burnhard K. Hart, Lee R. Hill, Harold G. Hudgins, Robert L. Hyde, William D. Johnson, Matias M. Juarez, Johnny M. Hurd, CHarlie H. McCormick."

Photograph of a World War II veterans memorial in Sweetwater, Texas. The text on the center piece reads "Honoring all who served from Nolan County and dedicated to the everlasting memory of those who sacrifice their lives of the altar of freedom in World Wars I and II. Korea. Vietnam."