Former Burnet County Jail

Photograph of the former jail of Burnet County. It is a stone building, with a white wrought-iron fence to the right.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Former Burnet County Jail

Photograph of the former county jail of Burnet County. It is a stone building, with a white wrought-iron fence on the right side.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Fulton Firearms, Hamilton

Photograph of the Fulton Firearms shop in Hamilton. There are many cars parked in front of the store, and a street light in front of the right window.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Hamilton County Courthouse

Photograph of the Hamilton County Courthouse. It was constructed in 1886, by architects Mason, Martin, Byrnes and Johnston. A 1931 remodel removed the clock tower and Second Empire style mansard roof.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Herman Brown Free Library

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.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic Plaque, Carnegie Library Building

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."
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic Plaque, Elise Waerenskjold

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)"
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic Plaque, Gunfight at the Lampasas Saloon

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 …
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic Plaque, Hamilton County Courthouse

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)"
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic Plaque, Horrell-Higgins Feud

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 …
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic Plaque, Site of Old Picnic Grounds

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)"
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Johnson County Courthouse

Photograph of the Johnson County Courthouse, while under renovation.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Korean and Vietnam War Memorial, Lampasas County

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."
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Lampasas County Courthouse, Diebold safe door

Photograph of a Diebold safe door at the Lampasas County Courthouse. The text on the door reads: "Diebold Safe & Lock Co. Canton, O."
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Lampasas County Courthouse, interior detail

Close-up view of the detail of trim at the Lampasas County Courthouse.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Lampasas County Courthouse, machine works for the clock tower

Photograph of the machine works for the clock tower in the Lampasas County Courthouse. The machine is painted green, and is kept behind glass.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Lampasas street scene

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.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

The Layland Museum

Photograph of the Layland Museum building in Cleburne, Texas. It is housed in the 1904 Carnegie Library.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

The Layland Museum, doorway detail

Photograph of the doorway to the Layland Museum. The name of the museum is written above the door, and its hours of operation are painted on the glass of the right door.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Memorial Library, Meridian

Photograph of the Memorial Library in Meridian, Texas. It is currently in use as a Senior Center.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Meridian Public Library

Photograph of the exterior of the Meridian Public Library.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Meridian Public Library, safe in work area

Photograph of a safe in the Meridian Public Library. The safe door says "Tom Hall's Safe Co. Cincinnati O."
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

The Parish Church of the Holy Comforter, Cleburne

The Parish Church of the Holy Comforter, Cleburne, established 1877.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

The Parish Church of the Holy Comforter, Cleburne, doorway detail

The Parish Church of the Holy Comforter, Cleburne, doorway detail. Church established 1877.
Date: March 1, 2006
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History