Collection Catalog

Commemorative plaque - Francis "Frankie" MacKay Howze

Commemorative plaque - County Named, 1797. For Col. William Christian, native Virginian, soldier, politician, and pioneer. Served as Colonel in Revolution, member Va. Legislature. Moved family to Jefferson County in 1785, where his Virginia land grants totaled 9,000 acres. Killed 1786, defending frontier against Indians. Original county, taken from Logan, included area of 16 present-day counties and parts of 4 others.

Commemorative plaque - Brooke Smith. 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 many years. He also helped secure several rail lines into the town, thus insuring Brownwood's future growth, and was director of the Fort Worth & Rio Grande Railroad for 40 years. Smith and his wife, Juliet Logan (Sparks) (d. 1938), whom he wed in 1880, were charter members at St. John's Episcopal Church. The two, to whom four children were born, are buried in Greenleaf Cemetery and are remembered for their significant contributions in the development of Brownwood. In his honor, the city designated Carnegie Avenue, a major downtown thoroughfare, as the Brooke Smith Memorial Boulevard. (2004) #13119

Commemorative plaque - The Nathaniel C. Jr. & Frances Curtis residence has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in 1963, this modern residence was designed by architect Nathaniel C. "Buster" Curtis for himself, his wife Frances and their seven children. It remained in the family for fifty years. The Curtis residence was designated a city landmark by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission in 2010. It is the first modern house in the city of New Orleans, as well as the first building by the firm Curtis & Davis, to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 2014 United States Department of the Interior

Commemorative plaque - Burleson County. In rich Brazos River basin; had settlers early as 1825. Site in 1830 of Tenoxtitlan, one of 3 forts built by Mexico in Texas, situated above El Camino Real (The King's Highway) crossing on Brazos River. North of the road was Sterling Robertson's Colony; south, the colony of Stephen F. Austin. In 1840 on the Old Road, Civil Engineer George B. Erath (1813-1891) platted town of Caldwell, named for noted Indian fighter Mathew ("Old Paint") Caldwell. In 1846, Erath introduced in First Legislature of State of Texas a bill creating Burleson County out of land then in Milam and Washington counties. It was named for Gen. Edward Burleson (1793-1851), under whom many local men had fought in the Texas War for Independence and in Indian Wars. Gen. Burleson was a congressman, senator and vice president of the Republic of Texas; also was in first State Senate. Plantation system prevailed until Civil War (1861-1865). Burleson lost some area when Lee County was created in 1874. In 1880 the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway built into county; soon afterward, Houston & Texas Central added more rail mileage. This is fourth courthouse for county. Economy is based on farming, oil, and miscellaneous products. (1970) #7554

Commemorative plaque - Here lived Stephen Daye who set up nearby the first printing press in British America 1638.

Commemorative plaque - Anvil Park Ranch. Begun 1891 by blacksmith J. C. Studer who came from Kansas in 1886. His occupation inspired Anvil brand and name of ranch. Ran only purebred cattle after 1919. Drew top cattle buyers. Spread grew from two sections to 5,000 acres. Famous for annual professional rodeo 1918 to 1941. Attracted top cowboys from throughout nation. Many stars of rodeo world started here. As many as 8,000 visitors viewed 3-day performances. Ranch was sold 1951 to Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission for game breeding purposes. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967. #176

Commemorative plaque - An expedition under Colonel Benedict Arnold for the capture of Quebec marched from this place in September 1775. To record and honor the service of its members who took part in this effort towards American independence

Commemorative plaque - Birthplace of Elvis Presley. Elvis Aaron Presley was born Jan. 8 1935 in this house, built by his father. Presley's career as a singer and entertainer redefined American popular music. He died Aug. 16 1977 at Memphis, Tennessee.

Commemorative plaque - Coldspring Methodist Church. Built to north, on land given, 1848, by Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Rankin, from an Austin Colony grant. Moved 1917 to new site. Bell over 100 years old. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964 #13848