Map of the Black and Grand Prairies of Texas including the Eastern and Western Cross Timbers.

Topographic map of the Black Prairie and Grand Prairie regions of Texas and southern Indian Territory, including the Eastern and Western cross timbers. Also displays streams, cities, and railroads.
Date: 1899
Creator: Hill, Robert T.
Object Type: Map
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Stretcher (open access)

Wire-Stretcher

Patent for a wire stretcher for stretching wire to build fences.
Date: December 30, 1890
Creator: Burdick, John
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire Twister and Tightener. (open access)

Wire Twister and Tightener.

Patent for a wire twister and tightener for wire fences. With this invention, "the fence-wire is caused to be contracted, twisted, and made taut" (lines 17-18). It is a set of toothed ratchet wheels that have v-shaped slots for the wire. Pawls act on the teeth, and springs and levers move the pawls.
Date: March 17, 1896
Creator: Stafford, George A.
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History
Switch Attachment. (open access)

Switch Attachment.

Patent for a switch attachment that consists of a derailing guard, a side track rail, an adjustable shoe that pivots next to the rail, a vertical groove in the end of the shoe, and a swinging free arm.
Date: April 3, 1894
Creator: Warren, Governor D. & Casey, James
Object Type: Patent
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Texas] Typical Curves of Precipitation

Series of three graphs demarcating the average rainfall per month for specific Texas cities across different regions of the state. Some lines are marked in red to distinguish individual points.
Date: 1891
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Technical Drawing
System: The Portal to Texas History