Resource Type

Everman Park

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.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

T & P train depot sign

T & P Depot offices of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council & Convention & Visitors Bureau 1101 N. 1st St.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

T & P train depot, Abilene, detail

T & P train depot detail
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Texas Historical Commission Marker: Thomas Middlebrook Willis (June 27, 1859 - November 27, 1937)]

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.
Date: 2009
Creator: Willis, T. Bradford
System: The Portal to Texas History

Former Taylor County Courthouse

Photograph outside the former Taylor County Courthouse, built in 1914. There is a historic marker to the left.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Former Taylor County Courthouse

Photograph of the former Taylor County Courthouse. There are trees obscuring the view of the building.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Monument on former Taylor County Courthouse grounds, close up

"I SHALL NEVER SURRENDER OR RETREAT". TRAVIS
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic plaque - 45th Infantry Division at Camp Barkeley

Photograph of a historic plaque detailing the exploits of the 45th Infantry Division at Camp Barkeley. It reads: "45th Infantry Division at Camp Barkeley. The 45th Infantry Division, comprised of National Guard units from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, was one of the first four division ordered into federal service by Congress' joint resolution in 1940. Initially stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, the 45th was relocated to Camp Barkeley in early 1941. The "Thunderbirds" found Abilene's citizens welcoming, but Camp Barkeley was as yet little more than a tent city on undrained prairie. The new arrivals nicknamed their quarters "Camp Smokey Okie" and began rigorous training at once. In April 1942 the 45th was ordered to Fort Devens, Massachusetts. After another year of training in three more states they departed for North Africa and Sicily. World Was II took the 45th far from Taylor County. They saw fierce combat in Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany, culminating in the liberation of the concentration camp at Dachau in April 1945. After 511 days in combat and 3,650 men lost, the 45th infantry was one of the most distinguished military units of the war. Eight Congressional medals of honor were awarded …
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Monument on former Taylor County Courthouse grounds

Monument on former Taylor County Courthouse grounds
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Taylor County Veterans Memorial and Plaza, featuring a bronze soldier and silver eagle sculptures.

Taylor County Veterans Memorial and Plaza, featuring a bronze soldier and silver eagle sculptures on Taylor County Courthouse grounds
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Terry Gilbreath
System: The Portal to Texas History

Taylor County Courthouse sign

TAYLOR COUNTY COURTHOUSE 300 OAK STREET
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Historic Street with a Skyscraper in Abilene, Texas

Photograph of a main street with historic buildings in Abilene, Texas. The street starts in the foreground on the left and runs into the background on the right. There are several buildings visible on the lefthand side of the street, including a tower-like skyscraper in the background. The building closest to the foreground features a long front with several equally-spaced windows, a second floor balcony, and a myriad of historic decorative elements such as large balustrades on the roof. Many of the other buildings on the street have very similar features. Trees, potted bushes, and street lights line the sidewalks. Traffic lights are visible suspended over the street. There is a large bushy tree beside the road on the righthand side with a car parked underneath it.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Rear View of "Childhood's Great Adventure"]

Photograph of the sculpture "Childhood's Great Adventure," viewed from the back, showing three children in a canoe sprouting from an open book, facing the front of the canoe. The sculpture is located in Everman Park in Abilene, Texas, and several buildings are visible in the background of the photo. It is based on the book Santa Calls, by Abilene author and illustrator William Joyce.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Downtown Street in Abilene, Texas

Photograph of a main downtown street in Abilene, Texas. The street starts out on the righthand side of the image and runs down into the lefthand side of the background. There is a large sidewalk running along both sides of the street. On the lefthand side of the image, a grassy stretch runs parallel in between the sidewalk and the street. On the righthand side of the street, three large red brick buildings are visible. All of the buildings have flat top roofs and several windows. On the lefthand side of the street,awnings from the buildings are visible, as is a white SUV in the background. Street lights and signs line the sidewalks.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Wide View of "Childhood's Great Adventure"]

Photograph of the sculpture "Childhood's Great Adventure," from the side, showing three children in a canoe sprouting from an open book. One of them is pointing forwards, and another stares in that direction with an open mouth. The sculpture is located in a paved area at Everman Park in Abilene, Texas; a stone fence and shrubberies are visible behind the sculpture. It is based on the book Santa Calls, by Abilene author and illustrator William Joyce.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Front View of "Childhood's Great Adventure"]

Photograph of the sculpture "Childhood's Great Adventure," located in Everman Park in Abilene, Texas. It shows three children in a canoe sprouting from an open book. One of them is pointing forwards, and another stares in that direction with an open mouth. The sculpture is based on the book Santa Calls, by Abilene author and illustrator William Joyce.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

Everman Park

Photograph of a sign for Everman Park, which also plays home to plants. The statue "Childhood's Great Adventure" can be seen in the background, as can a plaque in front of it.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

["Childhood's Great Adventure": side view]

Photograph of the sculpture "Childhood's Great Adventure," viewed from the side, showing three children in a canoe sprouting from an open book. One of them is pointing forwards, and another stares in that direction with an open mouth. The sculpture is located in Everman Park in Abilene, Texas and is based on the book Santa Calls, by Abilene author and illustrator William Joyce.
Date: August 7, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Photograph of Pitching Washers]

Photographic slide of children participating in a lawn game of pitching washers toward several boxes at the 2004 Western Heritage Day. The Hardin-Simmons University Richardson Library (left) and lines of children walking from the building can be seen in the background.
Date: 2004
Creator: Fink, Larry
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Photograph of Hardin-Simmons University Trustees, 2003]

Photograph of the Hardin-Simmons University Board of Trustees on the front steps of a campus buildings. The people pictured have been identified on the back of the photo.
Date: Spring 2003
Creator: unknown
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Photograph of Cowboy Singers]

Photograph of Taylor Rankin (seated) and other cowboy singers performing at the 2009 Western Heritage Day hosted by Hardin-Simmons University.
Date: 2009
Creator: Maynard, Shannon Collins
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Photograph of Man Holding Branding Iron]

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.
Date: 2009
Creator: Maynard, Shannon Collins
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Photograph of Pumping Water]

Photograph of a young woman pouring a bucket of water into a water pump as a boy watches at the 2009 Western Heritage Day.
Date: 2009
Creator: Maynard, Shannon Collins
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Photograph of Gary Fraser with Dessert]

Photograph of Gary Fraser, in a green apron and a cowboy hat, presenting trays of tradition Western desserts to a group of excited girls at the 2008 Western Heritage Day. Children playing and enjoying the festivities on a lawn, various mature trees, and a purple golf cart can be seen in the background.
Date: 2008
Creator: Maynard, Shannon Collins
System: The Portal to Texas History