Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Thomas Middlebrook Willis (June 27, 1859 - November 27, 1937) in Abilene, Texas. Text: Born in Bainbridge, Georgia, Thomas Middlebrook Willis was an important early leader in Abilene. Willis moved to Waco, Texas with his parents, Dr. Thomas L. and Mrs. Letitia Willis, in 1866. T. M. Willis first came to this area in 1878 to investigate range possibilities. In 1883, after graduating from the law school of Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, he moved here and established a practice. In 1886, Willis married Abilene resident Sallie Parker (1865 - 1954); the couple had eight children. Also in 1886, he was elected city attorney. Willis later also served as city judge. In 1937, the Abilene Reporter-News honored him, among others, as one of the city's founders.

Photograph of Taylor Rankin (seated) and other cowboy singers performing at the 2009 Western Heritage Day hosted by Hardin-Simmons University.

Photograph of a man holding a branding iron at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. Two fire pits to heat the irons can be seen at the man’s feet and in the background.

Photograph of a young woman pouring a bucket of water into a water pump as a boy watches at the 2009 Western Heritage Day.

Photograph of Bob Collins, who wears a white polo shirt, reading from a picture book to a group of children and their parents at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. The group – sitting down on grass – huddles around him to form a circle.

Photograph of a student in the Hardin-Simmons University Cowboy Band playing a French horn at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. She wears a yellow button-down shirt, bandanna, a large belt buckle, and chaps. Several white plastic chairs can be seen in the background.

Photograph of two members of the Hardin-Simmons University Cowboy Band dancing at the Western Heritage Day in 2009.

Photograph of small children and adults participating in the "Chicken Dance" at the 2009 Western Heritage Day celebration at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. The group of dancers, circled around a young man in a white shirt, are standing in front of Anderson Hall.

Photograph of a green and red chuck wagon on display at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. A plaque on the side of the wagon declares Delys Clayton Mitchell and Lea Clayton as the donors of the wagon to Hardin-Simmons University.

Photograph of a line of children with yellow bandannas around their necks and "HSU" sheriff buttons on their shirts at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. A row of teacher and parents can be seen behind them.

Photograph of a group of children in matching red vests and yellow t-shirts at the 2009 Western Heritage Day. They standing watching as three men discuss and demonstrate branding techniques.

Photograph of a girl holding a brown baby goat at the 2009 Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Groups of children can be seen in the background.

A document with photographs and texts pertaining to the opening of the Mockingbird branch of the Abilene Public Library in 2008.

Photograph of Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge wearing a police office uniform. His jacket has a police patch on the right shoulder, his name tag pinned on the right side of his chest, and a police badge pinned on the left.