Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Mc Ardle Notebooks: William S. Taylor to William C. Crane
In this typed letter, William S. Taylor praises the conduct of General Sam Houston during the Battle of San Jacinto. This site, providing links to a handwritten version as well as a biography on the letter's recipient (William C. Crane),...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Mc Ardle Notebooks: Mc Ardle's Portrait of Sam Houston, 1876
Here is a portrait of Sam Houston by Henry McArdle, the artist behind "The Battle of San Jacinto." It is accompanied by McArdle's handwritten notes and related a newspaper clipping from 1876.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Mc Ardle Notebooks: Poem by Nellie Power Houston, Daugher of Sam Houston
General Sam Houston's daughter wrote "My Father's Picture," a tribute to Houston. Check out a newspaper clipping from 1876 with the poem, which also has a brief note on Henry McArdle's portrait of Houston.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Battle of San Jacinto: Mrs. Henrietta Lamar to Mc Ardle, December 1, 1890
Mirabeau Lamar's wife, Henrietta, writes about her late husband in a letter to Henry McArdle, the artist behind "The Battle of San Jacinto." Handwritten letter is accompanied by typed transcription for easier reading and is part of...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Battle of San Jacinto: Mrs. Henrietta Lamar to Mc Ardle, May, 1891
Mirabeau Larmar's widow writes a letter replying to artist Henry McArdle, the painter of "The Battle of San Jacinto." Part of McArdle's extensive research for the painting. This site includes images of the handwritten letter, typed...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Battle of San Jacinto: Mrs. Lola Lamar Calder to Mc Ardle, April 20, 1892
Lola Lamar Calder, the daughter of Mirabeau Lamar, provides artist Henry McArdle with details about her father, part of McArdle's research for his painting, "The Battle of San Jacinto." Includes images of the original handwritten letter,...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Proclamation of Sam Houston, a Call for Volunteers, December 12, 1835
Samuel Houston calls for volunteer troops in this broadsheet from 1835.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Texas Treasures: The Texas Republic: James Butler Bonham
Here is a very brief bio on James Butler Bonham, an Alamo defender. Includes a letter Bonham sent to Sam Houston on December 1, 1835.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Battle Lost and Won: Broadside, 1919
Interesting broadside from 1919 that lists ways in which women are "handicapped" by not being able to vote.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1860s: Reconstruction
Here is an article on the Reconstruction, which touches briefly on several issues that arose during this period, specifically in Texas: President Johnson's Reconstruction plan, assimilation and rights of freed slaves, the 13th and 14th...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1860s: The 1858 69 Constututional Convention
With the freeing of slaves following the Emancipation Proclamation, African-Americans, including former slaves, began to take part in the government. Read about African-American Charles W. Bryant, Constitutional Convention delegate, and...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1860s: George T. Ruby
Read about George T. Ruby, an African American politician from Texas during Reconstruction.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1860s: Rise of Radical Republicanism
Here is a brief article on the beginning of the Republican political party in Texas in 1867. which soon split into two factions.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1870s: Representation
Read about the political climate in 1870s Texas and two governors elected during this time, Republican Edmund J. Davis and Democrat Richard Coke. Focuses primarily on how African Americans were affected by the leadership of each governor.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1870s: The Constitutional Convention of 1875
A Constitutional Convention was held in Texas in 1875 as a reaction to Reconstruction. See how the gains made by the Republican Party, which included African American legislators, were negated by the Democratic Party when it gained control.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: 19th Century African American Legislators: 1880s Repression
This several page article recounts the black legislators in the Texas Congress and their attempts to address many issues affecting the African Americans in the state. Read about the Ku Klux Klan, convict leases, and segregation on railroads
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1880s: Convict Lease
African American convicts faced physical abuse, were forced to work long hours, and experienced poor living conditions as part of the "Convict Lease" program set up to pay for the prison system. Read about why this program was started...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1890s: Black Codes
Here is a brief description of Black Codes, which were set in place in Texas in 1866 and "outlined a status for African Americans not too much removed from their earlier condition as slaves."
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1890s: Voting Rights
Though given the right to vote by 1870, African-American men faced several problems when it came to voting. This is a brief description of what they faced.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1870s: Education
Read about the development of free education for African Americans following the emancipation of this enslaved population. This article focuses on schools in Texas, including what is now known as Texas A&M University. Includes a...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hazardous Business: Line and Lands of the Texas & Pacific Railway, 1873
Here's a map showing the Texas & Pacific Railway. Click on link to get larger version which shows the route across Texas as well as an inset which shows how the railway connected to other railroads in the U.S.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Aftermath: A Fashionable Woman, Circa 1920
After women were given the right to vote in 1919, other aspects of women's lives began to evolve, one being women's dress. No longer confined by the restrictive fashions of the 19th century, women wore dresses, like the one shown here,...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Mc Ardle Notebooks: Portrait of General Sam Houston
Here is a photo of General Sam Houston, which is part of artist Henry McArdle's notebook of research used in painting "The Battle of San Jacinto." Includes a link to an article on Houston.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Battle of San Jacinto: Portrait of General Mirabeau B. Lamar
Here is a portrait of Mirabeau Lamar, part of artist Henry McArdle's collection of research for his painting, "The Battle of San Jacinto." Includes a link to an article on Lamar, from the "Handbook of Texas."