Social Media roundup | Out of the Stacks

Featuring recent selections from our “Throwback Thursday” and other posts on TSLAC’s social media platforms. No subscription required.

January 2024

O. Henry Museum, Christmas card. Pencil sketch, undated. Places Collection, 1/103-90, Prints and Photographs Collections. TSLAC.

#OTD January 19, 1934, The home of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), who became known as the short story writer O. Henry, was donated to the City of Austin. Porter resided with his wife and young daughter in the home, originally located at 308 East Fourth Street, from 1893-1895. In Austin, Porter worked as a draftsman at the General Land Office and later as a teller at the First National Bank of Austin, where he was accused of embezzlement and eventually spent several years in federal prison. Upon his release, he relocated to New York and his writing career flourished. The cottage was constructed in the 1880s and has undergone several renovation projects to preserve the museum. Visitors may view a desk once used by the writer, along with other furnishings and memorabilia. The museum is now located on 409 East Fifth Street.

February 2024

Black and white photo of street scene with dirt road and two main buildings from the 1880s. The first building is wood with a sloping roof that extends over the sidewalk in front. Several people are leaning on posts on the sidewalk. A sign reads "bakery." A cow walks along in front of the building toward the two-story brick structure with the name "Georgetown Pharmacy" painted on the side. — Street scene showing bakery and Georgetown Pharmacy. Places collection, 1/103-482. Prints and photographs collection. TSLAC.

A cow ambles down the street in front of the town bakery and pharmacy in 1880s Georgetown. Explore historic images of Texas buildings, street scenes, homes, panoramic views, and some other states and countries in the Places Collection on the Texas Digital Archive. https://tsl.access.preservica.com/tda/prints-and-photographs/#places.

March 2024

Black and white photo of two men dressed in cowboy attire riding horses and circling a calf. They are cattle roping. In the background, cows are visible behind a wire fence.] — Cowboys roping calf, undated. Groups, 1/104-114. Prints and photographs collection. TSLAC.

March means it’s time for the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest of its kind in the world. Rodeos showcase skills that evolved from the chores of working cowboys during the early years of the cattle industry, such as cattle roping. This photo captures two cowboys in action as they circle a calf.

April 2024

black and white photo from about 1900 with scene of a stone bridge over a low creek. In the foreground, several young girls are standing on rocks. A dirt path up the right bank of the creek leads to a white, two-story mansion. — Bridge on Barton Creek, undated, Austin. Mabel H. Brooks photograph collection, 1932/005-207. TSLAC.

#OTD April 11, 1840, William Barton (1782-1840) passed away. Barton settled in Texas in 1828 and relocated to what would become the Austin area in 1837. Barton and his family lived on property near the springs, creek, and rolling hills that were all later named after him. This photo of a bridge over Barton Creek was taken in about 1900. The Rabb Mansion is visible in the background. The children are not identified. Barton Creek and Barton Springs are centerpieces of recreational activity in modern-day Austin. See more images from Austin between 1860-1920 in the Mabel H. Brooks Photograph collection online here:
https://tsl.access.preservica.com/tda/prints-and-photographs/#brooks

May 2024

Cover for sheet music with the title written across the top half of page, Texas State Capitol Grand Waltz, composed by Leonora Rives, author of New Administration March and Respectfully dedicated to Governor L.S. Ross. Centered on the page is and etching of the Texas State Capitol building with figures in pairs and other configurations walking about the grounds. Horse-drawn carriages also appear on the grounds. Under the sketch reads Texas State Capitol and published by Thos. Goggan & Bro. Galveston, Thos. Goggan & Bros San Antonio, Copyright 1888 by Thos. Goggan & Bro. Price 60 cents — Texas State Capitol Waltz, by Leonora Rives, 1888. Sheet Music Collection, #10. TSLAC.

#OTD May 16, 1888 was “dedication day” for the new State Capitol building in Austin. The day began with a parade that marched up Congress Avenue toward the capitol where Texas dignitaries gave speeches. The entire week of May 14 – May 19 was filled with celebratory events, including a ball held on Friday, May 18. Composer Leonora Rives dedicated to Texas Governor L.S. Ross her new piece of music, the Texas State Capitol Grand Waltz, created for the ball. The sheet music was a popular souvenir item that sold for sixty cents. View the entire composition on our website here: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/lobbyexhibits/alacarte-sounds

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