Exhibits

This map reflects the 1900 census numbers for 243 Texas counties. While of the population was centered around the eastern port cities of Houston and Galveston, central and north Texas were growing. West Texas remained sparsely populated.

According to the map, the most populated county was Dallas County, with a population of 82,726. Today, the population of Dallas County is over 2,000,000. Bexar County was the second-largest, with 69,422 (today: 1,714,773). The least populated county was Bailey County in the panhandle, with a population of just 4. Today, Bailey County is still very small, with just 7,165 people. In square miles, Bailey County is only 50 square miles smaller than Dallas County.

The county seat of each county is also listed. Many of the western counties, however, were unincorporated in 1900.

According to the 2010 census, Texas has 254 counties for a total population of 25,145,561.

Texas Counties map with population figures, ca. 1900
Courtesy of The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin
Displayed on the Museum's first floor through October 2013

Only 18,000 of these pistols were produced between 1836 and 1844. Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut, entered into a contract with the Ordnance Department of the United States military on June 27, 1836 to produce 3,000 pistols at $9.00 each. In 1840, Johnson entered into a second contract for 15,000 pistols at $7.50 each.

The pistol has a caliber of .54, with its barrel and mountings made entirely of iron. While the gun itself is of a style typical of the time, the flintlock system of firing was giving way to the more efficient and quick percussion-based firearm during the mid-nineteenth century. The Johnson Model 1836 was the last flintlock-based pistol to be purchased by the US military, and many of this model were later converted to percussion pistols during the 1850s.

The Model 1836 was the primary handgun issued to US military personnel during the Mexican War, and the model in its converted state was used extensively throughout the early years of the Civil War.

Johnson Percussion Pistol, Model 1836
Courtesy Texas Museum of Military History, San Antonio
Displayed on the Museum's second floor through April 2014

This Mexican flag represents the Matamoros Battalion, comprising of 350 of Mexico's most elite troops. Formed in 1823 as part of the Republic of Mexico's national army, the Matamoros Battalion were involved in the storming of the Alamo in 1836, as well as defending Santa Anna's camp at San Jacinto. It was at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, that the entire battalion was killed and this flag was taken by General Sam Houston and his troops, along with a "vast amount of property," including "three general standards" of the Mexican Army.

The battalion was named for Friar Mariano Matamoros, a Roman Catholic priest who became a military commander in the fight for Mexican independence, and was later captured and executed by the Spanish. The flag's inscription "Batallon Matamoros Permanente" indicates that the battalion was part of the standing, or regular, army.

Matamoros Battalion Flag, ca. 1846
Courtesy Texas State Library and Archives, Austin
Displayed on the Museum's second floor through May 2013

While maybe not completely re-invented, cattle raisers in the 20th century found a new use for the age-old wheel and an age-old problem: how to get essential nutrients to their animals. Cattle generally eat hay and forage, especially in the winter months, which does not provide all of the vitamins and nutrients they need to survive and thrive. Unfortunately, these additional nutrients are not very tasty, and, like humans, cattle sometimes need an extra incentive to ingest them.

Molasses provide that incentive. In the 1950s-60s, the southeastern United States was a major sugar milling hub. Straight molasses were readily available - cheap and abundant. Cattle were naturally drawn to molasses, and soon cattle producers found that they could add liquid nutrient supplements to the molasses to make them more palatable. A semi-solid molasses "lick" was developed, but it was susceptible to the weather. Open vats of liquid molasses were also problematic: smaller animals, rodents, refuse, and pests would fall into the troughs.

The liquid feed wheel solved many of these problems. Contained within a vat with a lid and a small opening for the top of the wheel, the liquid feed was protected from the elements. The feed was continuously available and required little work from the ranchers themselves. Many Texas ranchers today rely on liquid feed provided via feed wheels to supplement their animals' diets, especially in years with little rain. This liquid feed wheel can now be seen in the Modern Ranching case on the museum's third floor.

Liquid Feed Wheel, ca. 1960s
Courtesy of Southwest Reinforced Plastics, Inc., Dallas
Displayed on the Museum's third floor through November 2015

Texas blues musician Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins was born on a cotton farm in Centerville, Texas in 1912. At the age of 8, Hopkins met Dallas blues legend Blind Lemon Jefferson at a social function, and was inspired to make music of his own. In his teens, Hopkins longed to leave the life of the cotton farms, and began playing music with his cousin, blues man Texas Alexander. Hopkins's musical journey was interrupted in the mid-1930s when he was sent to the Houston County Prison Farm, but he began playing again with his cousin when released.

Hopkins and Alexander played the blues circuit in Houston through the late 1930s and 1940s, and were discovered in 1946 by a Los Angeles-based talent scout. Hopkins was singled out to record with pianist Wilson "Thunder" Smith, and so the nickname "Lightnin'" was born.

Lightnin' Hopkins recorded over 100 albums for more than twenty recording labels. This 78 RPM recording of Zolo Go was recorded on the Houston-based Gold Star Recordings label. Zolo Go incorporates the zydeco sound with prominent use of accordion and zydeco instrumentation.

Hopkins continued to make and record music throughout the rest of his life. He died in 1982 at the age of 70.

Zolo Go 78 RPM by Lightnin' Hopkins
Courtesy Bill McClung, Spring Branch
Displayed on the Museum's third floor through November 2013

Before e-mails and texts became the quickest way to send a short message or photo, postcards provided an easy and fun way to get a note and a picture to friends and family. Travelers and locals alike used postcards to send notes well beyond "wish you were here" to loved ones. 576 postcards showing views from around the state of Texas are currently on display on the Museum's third floor.

Fishing on the San Marcos River, ca. 1911

Twenty-four of the postcards on the wall show the "message" side of the card. This one, addressed to "Master Fred Smith" of Biardstown, Texas is not signed, but is likely from a family member, instructing Fred to "be good and don't get in to any trouble." Only a one cent stamp was necessary to mail the card.

Queen Yam XXVIII, ca. 1966

Gilmer, Texas, northwest of Longview, is the home of the annual East Texas Yamboree, one of the oldest continuous fall festivals in the state. The first Yamboree was held in 1935 and planned as part of the Texas Centennial celebrations. Sweet potatoes were a major cash crop in the area in the early 20th century, but a weevil infestation led to a ban on growing them in the 1930s. In 1935, the ban was lifted and yam production again became prevalent. Today, Yamboree celebrations include a yam pie contest, parades, a barn dance, quilt show, livestock contests, and the coronation of a Yam Queen. This postcard features Miss Linda Garrison, Queen Yam XXVIII.

In the Swim at Corpus Beach, Corpus Christi, Texas, ca. 1917

Corpus Christi has long been a popular spot for fun in the sun, though beach fashions have changed over the years. Few young girls today would choose tights, a dress, a hat, and shoes as their preferred bathing costume. This postcard image was originally a photograph enhanced by hand-tinting or painting, giving the card an illustrated look.

Courtesy Jenkins Garrett Texas Post Card Collection, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library
Displayed on the Museum's third floor through December 2013

There is not much that Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross (1838-1898) did not do during his lifetime. Ross's family settled in Waco after moving to Texas when he was one year old. Seeking adventure but realizing the importance of education, Ross attended Baylor University (then located in Independence) and Wesleyan University in Florence, Alabama.

During his summer break in 1858, Ross joined the U.S. Army as a leader for a band of American Indian fighters, garnering praise from regular army officers for his skill and courage. Ross joined the Texas Rangers after receiving his A.B. degree (referred to as a B.A. today) in 1859 and received approval from Governor Sam Houston to raise his own company in defense of the western frontier against American Indian invasion.

Ross resigned from the Rangers as the Civil War approached. He took part in numerous western campaigns, including those of Pea Ridge, Corinth, and Van Dorn's Tennessee. He was promoted to brigadier general in December 1863 and commanded the Texas Cavalry Brigade made up of his former regiment, the Third Texas Cavalry, the Ninth Texas Cavalry, and the Twenty-seventh Texas Cavalry or First Texas Legion, for the remainder of the war.

Ross dedicated his life to public service, ultimately becoming Texas Governor (1887-1891) and serving as president of Agricultural and Mining college of Texas (now Texas A&M University) from 1891-1898. Sul Ross State University in Alpine is named in his honor.

Sul Ross sword, ca. 1861-1865
Courtesy Dr. Gianfranco Spellman, Austin
Displayed on the Museum's second floor through September 2013

Although Lyndon B. Johnson did not try to present a cowboy image, he inherited the image by nature of being a Texan. During his presidency, he often visited his ranch in Stonewall - home to the "Texas White House." The Lucchese Boot Company of San Antonio made this pair of boots stitched with "LBJ" in script lettering for him to wear while president.

Johnson's time in office (1963-1969) was highlighted by his drive for passage of the Civil Rights Bill and his efforts "to build a great society, a place where the meaning of man's life matches the marvels of man's labor." Johnson's agenda included measures to improve education, attack poverty, inspire urban renewals, control and prevent crime and delinquency, and in 1965, a Medicare amendment to the Social Security Act.

Johnson served in public office for 32 years, from 1937 until 1969. After leaving office, he retired to his Texas ranch where he died of a heart attack on January 22, 1973.

Black Leather boots with "LBJ" stitching, ca. 1960s
Courtesy Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum collection, Austin
Displayed on the Museum's third floor through June 2013

Bill Pickett (1870-1932) was born in Taylor and began working on a ranch after dropping out of school in the fifth grade. He observed that bulldogs helped calm runaway steers by biting their noses and lower lip and hanging on. During his cowboy career, Pickett adapted this technique by chasing down runaway steers, springing from his saddle, wrestling the steer to the ground, and then calming the animal by biting the area beneath the nose but above the lip. This action became known as "bulldogging" and it made it easier to walk the steer back to the herd. Pickett performed this trick as well as riding and roping stunts for the 101 Ranch Wild West Shows that traveled throughout the country.

Pickett added to his fame in 1921 by starring in The Bull-Dogger. The movie was produced by the Norman Film Manufacturing Company, a Jacksonville-based independent film company that specialized in outdoor adventure films for African-American audiences. Pickett followed up this movie with another starring role in the 1922 feature The Crimson Skull.

In 1972 Pickett became the first black cowboy inducted into the National Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Stetson hat worn by Bill Pickett, ca. 1925
Courtesy of Applewhite-Clark Historical Collection, Texas
Displayed on the Museum's third floor through November 2013

When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, the country was faced with a shortage of pilots. Nearly simultaneously, two efforts were organized to recruit female pilots to overcome this shortage and to free male pilots for combat duty.The United States Army Air Forces created the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) to ferry planes for the Air Transport command. This unit trained at New Castle Army Air Base in Wilmington, Delaware.

In November 1942 the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) was launched by General Henry "Hap" Arnold, chief of the Army Air Force. That group trained in Houston at the Municipal Airport in deplorable conditions due to wartime rations. When better quarters became available, the women were moved to Avenger Field at Sweetwater, Texas in early 1943.

In August 1943 the WFTD and the WAFS merged into one command called the Women's Airforce Service Pilots. The WASP received approximately 210 hours of flying time, equally divided between PT-17s, BT-13s, and AT-6s. Approximately 285 additional hours were devoted to ground school instruction. Graduates of Avenger Field went on to flying assignments throughout the United States, ferrying a total of 12,650 planes.

Nell Stevenson of Amarillo kept this log book during her eight month training period (September 16, 1942 - May 16, 1943). She operated planes that served as tow targets and went on simulated strafing runs at Biggs Army Air Field in El Paso. Her flight log lists 66 flights.

Pilot's flight log, ca. 1942-1943
Courtesy of Nell Stevenson Bright Papers, The Woman's Collection, Texas Woman's University, Denton
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Kinnison
Displayed on the Museum's third floor through December 2013