Photograph of the Herman Brown Free Library in Burnet. Cars are parked in front of the library, and other buildings can be seen in the background.

Photograph of the Nutt House hotel in Granbury.

Photograph of a historic plaque. It reads: "Ballinger originally called Hutchins City. Promoted by Sante Fe Rwy. Named for Judge William Pitt Ballinger (1825-1888), railroad attorney and townsite official. Distinguished Texas Statesman, Veteran of the Mexican War. In the Civil War helped establish defenses of Galveston, served as Confederate receiver of enemy aliens' property, was sent to negotiate peace for Texas. Ballinger is County Seat, and farm-ranch center. INdustries include dairying, meat products, leather goods manufacturing. Has annual rodeo, livestock and quarterhorse shows. (1965)"

Photograph of a historic marker about Brownwood citizen, Brooke Smith. It reads: "One of ten children, Brooke Smith was born in 1853 to Paulina Thilman (Doswell) and John Snelson Smith, Jr. in Hanover County, Virginia. The family moved to Indiana in 1860 and then to Waco, Texas ten years later. There, Brooke became a clerk at Lyons, Cohn & Co. and decided to move west and open his own store in 1876. Partnering with Sol Lyons and Otto Steffens, he opened a general store in Brownwood, then a frontier town. With no banks in the town, Smith and Steffens placed a large safe in their store where they kept their own funds, as well as financial deposits entrusted to them by area ranchers and farmers. The operation eventually became known as Pecan Valley Bank. Brooke Smith continued in the banking business, served as a school trustee and was elected Brownwood mayor in 1886. During his tenure, the city built its first water system and, in 1894, Smith solicited a survey for a dam at the site where Lake Brownwood would eventually be built. He contributed to both Howard Payne and Daniel Baker Colleges, serving as secretary-treasurer of the latter for …

Photograph of a historic plaque. It reads: "Carnegie Library Building. A Cleburne Public Library was begun in 1901 under the direction of the local women's club. In 1902 members of the organization met with New York industrialist and benefactor Andrew S. Carnegie to secure funds for a building. His gift was matched by local contributions and this structure was completed in 1905. Featuring details of the Beaux Arts and Classical Revival styles and a second floor theater, it housed the library until 1978. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981."

Photograph of a historic plaque in Hamilton, Texas. It reads: "Elise Waerenskjold, (Home 3 blocks W; Grave 6 Blocks NW). Influential early promoter of Norwegian Emigration to Texas: Born Elise Tvede in 1815. In 1846, after John Reiersen migrated to Texas to found the first Norwegian settlement in the state, she became editor of his periodical "Norway and Texas". Through her articles, many were inspired to move here. In 1847 she, too, moved to Texas, and resided in both Van Zandt County and Hamilton County. She married Wilhelm Waerenskjold. Often they welcomed grateful newcomers into their home. Here she helped preserve the history of her people. Died 1895. (1968)"

Photograph of a historic marker in Lampasas. It reads: "In the early 1870s Lampasas was a wild frontier town. In January 1873 Sheriff S.T. Denson was shot while arresting brothers Wash and Mark Short. The district judge sent men to apprehend the Short brothers, but the posse was stopped by Ben, Tom, and Mart Horrell and several others. Sheriff Denson and the justices of the peace of Lampasas County appealed to Governor Edmund J. Davis for the assistance of the State Police. On February 10, Governor Davis issued a proclamation prohibiting the carrying of sidearms in Lampasas. On March 14, Captain Thomas Williams and seven state policemen entered Lampasas to enforce the proclamation. The State Police immediately arrested Bill Bowen for carrying a gun in town. Bowen persuaded Captain Williams and two of his men to enter Jerry Scott's Lampasas Saloon, this led to a gunfight between the State Police and the Horrell brothers and their associates. Three officers were killed in the saloon and a fourth was fatally wounded while trying to escape. The police were buried in Lampasas, but Captain Williams was reinterred in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. More State Police came to Lampasas and joined …

Photograph of a historic marker. It reads: "Hamilton County Courthouse. Before era of this impressive courthouse, Hamilton County's government was housed in stores, a rustic school, a former livery stable, a 2-story building with top floor especially designed for a courtroom, and briefly in a saloon. Fire razed two of the early improvised courthouses. First permanent one built in 1878, also burned in 1886. In those days outlaws were so numerous that guards were hired to protect visiting judges. This 1887 structure of native limestone, quarried 2 miles east of Hamilton, remained unchanged until it was remodeled in 1931. (1970)"

Photograph of a historic plaque in Lampasas, Texas. It reads: "Horrell-Higgins Feud. The Horrell and Higgins families were among the early settlers of Lampasas County. Tom, Mart, Merritt and Sam Horrell were accused of many crimes, including cattle rustling and murder. Pink Higgins was a cattleman and trail driver who, in 1876, began accusing the Horrell brothers of stealing his cattle. On January 22, 1877, Pink Higgins shot and killed Merritt Horrell in the Gem Saloon. This was the beginning of a six-month battle between the Horrell brothers and Pink Higgins, Bob Mitchell, Bill Wren and their followers. On March 26, Tom and Mart Horrell were ambushed on their way into Lampasas. Captain John C. Sparks of the Texas Rangers went in pursuit, but no one was captured. Higgins remained a fugitive, but eventually surrendered and was ordered to appear in court. On June 4, the Lampasas County District Clerk's office was burglarized and District Court records were destroyed. Three days later, the biggest battle of the feud took place on the public square on Lampasas; one man from each side was killed. Major John B. Jones, Commander of the Texas Ranger Frontier Battalion, came to Lampasas and sent Sergeant …

Photograph of a historic plaque in Coleman, Texas. It reads: "County Named in 1857 for Robert M. Coleman (1799-1837). Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas in 1832. Commanded Company of volunteers at siege of Bexar (San Antonio), Dec. 5-10, 1835. Delegate to Constitutional Convention where he signed Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836. Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Sam Houston at Battle of San Jacinto, 1836. Later fought Indians as a Texas Ranger. (1966)"

Photograph of a historic plaque in Cleburne, Texas. It reads: "Site of Old Picnic Grounds. Had wood, water, was used after 1854 start of Camp Henderson (named for land owner-townsite donor) for decisive public meetings. In 1867 Camp Henderson became county seat. Then men at 4th of July picnic here named town "Cleburne", for Civil War Commander of many local veterans. (1966)"

Photograph of the Hood County Courthouse in Granbury, Texas. It is three stories tall, and a clock tower adorns the roof. Several cars are parked in front of the courthouse.

Photograph of a plaque at Hood County Courthouse. It reads: "Fifth Courthouse on this site. Erected 1890-1891, this handsome building is a Texas version of the French Second Empire style. First courthouse (1867) was a 1 room log cabin housing county records, lawyers and land agents' offices, and mail station. It was succeeded by 3 stone structures. Contractors Moodie & Ellis and Architect W. C. Dodson built this native stone edifice. The clock tower, added after completion, was reinforced with steel in 1869. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970."

Photograph of the Hood County Jail. Built in 1885, it is now a museum.

Photograph of the Hood County Jail. Built in 1885, it is now home to the Hood County Jail Museum.

Photograph of a sign at the Hood County Jail Museum. It says "Hood County Jail (1885 - 1979) Museum Hours: Saturday - Sunday, 1-4 PM."

Photograph of a historic plaque at the Hood County Jailhouse. It reads: "Second County Jail. Celebrated in early local ballad. Build to succeed 1873 log jail at time when lawlessness was rampant. Main building is late Victorian in style. Separate stone kitchen was added upon completion. The tall front section was to have a gallows, but no hangings have occurred here. Jail admits some 55 prisoners yearly. "Uncle" Andy Walters, a local character, once locked sheriff in this jail, but left key with judge on way home. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970."

Photograph of the Johnson County Courthouse, while under renovation.

Photograph of the Korean and Vietnam War Memorial in Lampasas, Texas. It reads: "Korean War, June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955. Vietnam War, December 22, 1961 to May 7, 1975. Frank Alexander; James L. Childress; Stephen A. De Santis; Patrick M. Goble; Robert Bailey Green; Billy G. Insall; Doyd D. O'Neal; Clifford Earl Poe Jr.; John Clyde Roberts; Charles Ricky LaBounty. Erected by Lampasas County Historical Commission; Lampasas County Commissioners Court; American Legion Post 277 and Aux Lampasas; American Legion Post 116 Lometa; Amvets Post 80 and Aux Lampasas; DAV Chapter 67 Lampasas; VFW Post 3393 and Aux Kempner; VFW Post 8539 and Aux Lampasas; Individual Contributors. Memorial dedicated November 11, 1989."

Photograph of a Diebold safe door at the Lampasas County Courthouse. The text on the door reads: "Diebold Safe & Lock Co. Canton, O."

Close-up view of the detail of trim at the Lampasas County Courthouse.

Photograph of the machine works for the clock tower in the Lampasas County Courthouse. The machine is painted green, and is kept behind glass.

Photograph of a street scene in Lampasas by the County Courthouse. Several cars are parked in front of retailers including Bluestar Jewelers, Wieser, and H&R Block.

Photograph of the Layland Museum building in Cleburne, Texas. It is housed in the 1904 Carnegie Library.