Photograph of a doorway at the former Taylor County Courthouse. The word "Peace" is carved above the door.

Photograph of a doorway at the former Taylor County Courthouse. The word "Justice" is carved above the doorway.

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.

Photograph of the George Herman Mahon monument. There is a bust of Mahon atop the monument. A plaque under the bust says "George Herman Mahon (1900-1985) reared in Mitchell County. First United States Congressman elected to 19th District (elected to 22 terms, 1934-1978). Chairman, appropriations committee (1964-1978). Mitchell County attorney (1926-1927). 32nd Judicial District Attorney (1927-1934). A Statesman."

Photograph of the Governor's Community Achievement Award. It says "Presented to Stanton 1974. Beautify Texas Council. The Governor's Community Achievement Award. For enhancing the quality of life in the community through planning, improving and preserving an attractive environment. (signed by) Governor. The State of Texas."

Photograph of the Grace Museum in Abilene.

Photograph of the Heart of West Texas Museum. The view of the building is obscured by tall trees, and there is a white cannon to the left.

Photograph of a sign outside the Heart of West Texas Museum. It reads: "City of Colorado City, Heart of West Texas Museum, Special Events: Chief Lone Wolf Exhibit."

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 …

Photograph of a historic plaque detailing the birth of the SPJST. It reads: "On December 28, 1896, twenty-five Czech-Texans gathered in the district courtroom of this courthouse to establish a new fraternal benefit insurance society, the Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas, more commonly known as the SPJST. The SPJST held its first convention in the same room on June 20, 1897. I. J. Gallia served as the society's first president and J. R. Kubena was the first secretary. The SPJST officially began its business in Texas on July 1, 1897. SPJST headquarters now is located in Temple. (1983)"

Photograph of a historic plaque about the Callahan County Courthouse. It reads: "Callahan County Courthouse. The county seat moved from Belle Plain to Baird in 1883, and a courthouse, designed by noted architect F. E. Ruffini, was built at this site. The county hired another noted architect, J. Riely Gordon, in 1900 for a larger courthouse; J. E. Flanders was the supervising architect. In 1928, the growing county hired Voelcker & Dixon Architects & Engineers of Wichita Falls, who designed this classical revival courthouse, completed the next year. Suggs and Dunlap Contractors constructed the building, which features intricate detailing, including acanthus leaves, rosettes, medallions and cartouches. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2003."

Photograph of a historic marker. It reads: "Physician and Leader Dr. Preston C. Coleman (1853 - 1932). Born in Tennessee. Graduated from University of Louisville (KY.). Coming in 1883 to Colorado City, rode horseback or by buggy to ranches in 100-mile radius, practicing here rest of his life. Religion, medicine, and education were his chief concerns. He was a Texas & Pacific Railroad surgeon; 1895-96 president, Texas Medical Association; a fellow, American College of Surgeons; an elder in his church; moderator, 1930, Texas Presbyterian Synod; trustee, 1906-31, Austin College (Sherman); Vice President for life, West Texas Chamber of Commerce; was called "Father of Texas Tech" University. (1972)"

"Dubina, which derives its name from the Czech word for Oak Grove, was founded in 1856 by a group of Moravian immigrants, including the Marak Kahlich, Sramek, Peter, Holub, Muzny, and Haidusek families. By 1900 the farming community had erected a church building, mill, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, store, and post office. A 1909 storm and a 1912 fire caused extensive damage from which the town never recovered. As the first settlement in Texas to be founded entirely by Czech-Moravians, Dubina remains an important part of the state's regional and cultural history."

Photograph of a historic plaque. It reads: "Fayette County Courthouse. About 1890, the structural safety of Fayette County's third courthouse came into question, and plans began for the building of this structure to serve as the seat of justice for the county. The commissioners court hired San Antonio architect James Riely Gordon (1863-1937) to design the new courthouse and oversee the construction. Gordon, who was 27 years old at the time, went on to become a noted architect of public buildings in Texas. Funding for the 1890-91 courthouse came from the sale of $90,000 in bonds. Martin, Byrnes and Johnston of Colorado City served as building contractors. Gordon designed the courthouse in the Romanesque Revival style and specified four types of native Texas stone to detail the exterior: Blue Muldoon sandstone, Belton White limestone, Pecos Red sandstone and Pink Burnet granite. A central open atrium, designed to promote good lighting and natural ventilation, highlighted the interior space. The extensive use of stone, along with the massive arched windows and doorways, exemplify the building's Romanesque Revival influences. The oldest existing J. Riely Gordon courthouse in Texas, the Fayette County courthouse was completed in 1891. It has served as a setting for …

Photograph of a historic marker in Colorado City. It reads: "The Founding of Colorado City. Founded, 1880, at the crossing of the Colorado River and Texas & Pacific Railroad right-of-way: central shipping point and supply depot for the sprawling cattle ranches of west Texas and New Mexico. From 1880 (when A. W. Dunn opened his dirt-floor. Tent-roof General Store) to 1890. The boisterous cattle town garnered notoriety as well as fame. The largest community between Fort Worth and El Paso. Colorado City had more millionaires than any other Texas town and the most saloons in the west. Law and order was housed in a dugout at the edge of town. Where a company of Texas Rangers made all men check their guns. Modest, courageous Ranger Dick Ware was elected first sheriff in 1881. Population soared from 700 to 5,000 in the first two years. As cowboys, cattlemen, merchants, and (as a visitor said) "any number of bummers", vied for space. The first sermon was preached in a saloon and the town "jail" was a chain attached to a mesquite tree, but citizens could find beauty in the lantern-glow from dozens of tents in the center of town. Althought drought and …

Photograph of a historic plaque in Sweetwater, Texas. It reads: "Nomadic Indians crossed this region before Anglo-American pioneers arrived here in the 1870s. The first settlers were buffalo hunters such as I. S. (Tuck) Focht, who later became a rancher and businessman, and cattlemen such as Confederate veteran John R. Lewis. Created in 1876, Nolan County was one of 54 counties carved from Bexar Territory. It was named for Philip Nolan (1771 - 1801), an Irish-born adventurer who came to Texas to capture wild horses and was killed in a skirmish with Spanish soldiers. Sweetwater, a small settlement that had grown up around a general store, was awarded the country's first post office in March 1879. It was also named the county seat when Nolan County was organized in January 1881. Sweetwater moved 2 miles northwest to its present location on the Texas & Pacific Rail Line in April 1881. It became an important rail center when the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient and later the Santa Fe Railroad also routed their track through the town. The economy of Nolan County is based on cattle and sheep ranching; cotton and feed grain crops; and gypsum, lime, and petroleum production. The …

Photograph of a historic plaque in Sweetwater, Texas. It reads: "R. A. Ragland House. In 1882 R. A. Ragland (1858 - 1938) came to Sweetwater as one of the town's first lawyers. He served as city commissioner, school board member and county attorney. In partnership with R. C. Crane he set up a law office and abstract firm. In 1906 he had this house built for his wife Luella Maddox Ragland. The home is an example of the classical Revival style. The chapel and brick addition to the front were built when the residence served as a mortuary. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1979."

Photograph of a historic plaque in Thurber, Texas. It reads: "Thurber. Most important mine site in Texas for 30 years. Coal here, probably known to Indians, was "discovered" in 1886 by W. W. Johnson, who with his brother Harvey sold out to Texas & Pacific Coal Company in 1888. (T. & P. Coal Company provided fuel for the Texas & Pacific Railroad, but was independently owned. Town was named for H. K. Thurber, friend of T. & P. Coal Company founders. Most dynamic firm member was Robert D. Hunter (1833 - 1902), developer of 7 of 15 mines. Next president was E. L. Marston, Hunter's son-in-law, who left mining largely to William K. Gordon (1862 - 1949), an engineer who brought daily output to 3,000 tons. Then in 1917, Gordon (backed by management of coal company) was primarily responsible for discovery of Range Oil Field, 20 miles west. Adoption of oil-burning railway locomotives cut demand for coal. Last mine here closed in 1921, and the 10,000 or more inhabitants of Thurber began to move away. The coal firm changed its name to Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company and was sold in 1963 to Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., …

Photograph of a historic plaque in Swiss Alp, Texas. It reads: "United Evangelical Lutheran Church (Philadelphia Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery). The Swiss Alp community was settled about 1865. Within a short time, the Philadelphia Evangelical Lutheran Church was established and began meeting on land given by John and Christina Knippa in 1867. The first recorded burial on this site is that of Emma Gertraut Ritter, who died in October 1867. She was soon followed by Anna Rudi, the wife of Pastor C. C. Rudi. Ten more church members were interred here before the site was formally established as a cemetery in February 1877. Other members of the Rudi family are interred here along with numerous church members. After several small area churches merged in 1967 the church name was changed to United Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery. The historic graveyard contains both marked and unmarked burials. (1999)"

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.

Photograph of a World War II veterans memorial in Sweetwater, Texas. It reads: "Honor Roll World War II: Jose A. Alcala, Norman P. Alston, Walter P. Anderson, Jr., Robert Anthony, Odis L. Apple, Jr., James W. Barkley, Johnny C. Belt, Oscar A. Bennett, James Lee Berry, Winston J. Bradford, Arlin W. Brown, Deverle Brown, Earl A. Bryant, William R. Burkett, Earl Brown, Brown Thomas B., R. C. Chapman, Roy Clay, Jr., Valton C. Clayton, Chester V. Crain, Edward E. Davis, Neal C. Davison, Jr., Ollie G. Dismuke, Jess W. Dooley, Troy R. Dooley, Jimmie Doyle, Sie S. Edwards, Jack C. Elliston, Forest F. Gartman, Raymond George, Billy B. Gibbs, Willie E. Ingram, Leroy Giesler, James V. Gillenwater Thomas T. Gillilan, Thomas P. Glass, Ernest W. Hagar, James A. Hall, David Hanks, Alfred C. Harris, Burnhard K. Hart, Lee R. Hill, Harold G. Hudgins, Robert L. Hyde, William D. Johnson, Matias M. Juarez, Johnny M. Hurd, CHarlie H. McCormick."

Photograph of a World War II veterans memorial in Sweetwater, Texas. The text on the center piece reads "Honoring all who served from Nolan County and dedicated to the everlasting memory of those who sacrifice their lives of the altar of freedom in World Wars I and II. Korea. Vietnam."

Photograph of a World War II memorial in Sweetwater, Texas. It reads: "Honor Roll World War II: Marion William Justice, J. R. Kiser, Kenneth B. Lance, James F. Leach, Fred H. Leonard, Anton Mack, Raymond W. May, J. C. McCoy, Quinn L. McKelvey, Murl Montgomery, James W. Moor, Homer G. Neithercutt, Troy W. Norris, Philip J. Ochoa, Malcom Omar Cook, Dayton S. O'Keefe, Willie W. Oliver, James F. O'Neil, Leon Overby, William H. Pietzsch, A. J. Roy, Fred Scudday, Jr., Johnny Leon Sealy, Leroy Shifflett, John J. S. Smith, Screven Smith, Robert M. Snyder, Raymond L. Stephenson, Bill Saunders, James F. Lewallen, Aubrey T. Stewart, Willard D. Taylor, Ennis C. Vogler, James H. Walker, Jr., John E. Walker, L. H. Whittington, Enoch A. Whittington, Edward Wilkins, Jr., Charles Ray Wilkinson, Charles H. Williams, Alton B. Wilson, Speegle J. Wood, Edgar R. Woodson, Mark Yoakum, Fred P. Pipkin, Jr."

Photograph of the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring, Texas. Cars are parked in front of the building.