Ruth Reiter Stone Collection

Summary: Donor was the stepdaughter of Lawrence C. Elliott (1901-1970), a leader in Tarrant County aviation. Elliott purchased the Dr. Clay Johnson home in Fort Worth in 1950. The photographs given were part of donor's successful effort to apply historic landmark status to the Johnson home in 1984.

Aviation Pioneer Lawrence C. Elliott was born in Greenville, Texas, and built an experimental airplane as a teenager. In 1924, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and became a U.S. Army Flight Instructor. He became regional manager of the U.S. Civil Aviation System and was stationed at Fort Worth’s Southwest Regional Headquarters for 25 years. He was instrumental in marking domestic flight routes, developing weather communication broadcast techniques, establishing standards for airplane maintenance inspections and recommending air facility safety modifications. A Texas Historical Marker (image shown) marks his grave site in Greenwood Cemetery.

Elliot Marker

Books

  • One paperback book: FAA Southwest Region, Recollections and Reflections, A Bicentennial History Project, Prepared and Distributed by the Public Affairs Office, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration. 1976. Researched and written by George Burlage. Cover is a line drawing of U.S. Helium Production Plant, 1923. North Fort Worth, present site, 1976, FAA Southwest Regional Headquarters

Photographs

  • 16 black and white photographs, 8 by 10 inches; 29 color photographs, 3 by 5 inches
    1. No. 1 Chase Court, gates at Hemphill Street, Fort Worth, 1983
    2. No. 1 Chase Court, gates at Hemphill Street
    3. Gates at Chase Court
    4. Gates at Lipscomb Street (west end of Chase Court)
    5. No. 3 Chase Court, c. 1959, when owned by L. C. Elliott
    6. No. 3 Chase Court, c. 1959
    7. No. 3 Chase Court, showing addition of balustrade on balcony, 1983
    8. No. 3 Chase Court, 1983, showing west facade
    9. No. 3 Chase Court, 1959, north east corner of house
    10. No. 3 Chase Court, 1983, northern facade
    11. No. 3 Chase Court, detail showing cornices and balustrade, 1983
    12. No. 3 Chase Court, 1983, grandfather clock in reception hall from Johnson era
    13. No. 10 Chase Court, red brick home before it was demolished; No. 11, white brick belonged to Verner S. Wardlaw
    14. No. 10 Chase Court, red brick home of Dr. M. Lyle Talbot
    15. Ruth Stone before her portrait and silver service
    16. Ruth and Davis Stone at No. 3 Chase Court, October 1983
       
  • Smaller photographs were taken at Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) marker dedication, March 18, 1984

    • Dr. Clay Johnson photograph
    • Dr. Clay Johnson
    • No. 3 Chase Court, from southwest
    • No. 3 Chase Court, with guests outside for dedication
    • Draped marker, with guests standing on porches
    • TCHC chairman Duane Gage addressing crowd, Ruth Stone and Clifton Gettings
    • Ruth Stone being introduced, with Duane, Clifton and William Kimbrough, a minister from Hemphill Presbyterian
    • Dee Stone, Ruth, Duane, Clifton and Rev. Kimbrough
    • Ruth receiving resolution
    • Duane reading from certificate
    • Duane Gage removing drape from marker, Clifton Gettings and Ruth Stone
    • TCHC chairman Duane Gage with Ruth Stone by marker
    • TCHC member Ruth Stone standing by marker holding her certificate
    • Clay Johnson Jr. his sister Margaret Johnson McCurdy, and grand daughter, Alice Burdette
    • Johnson family, left to right: Anne Johnson, wife of Clay Johnson III, Elizabeth Johnson, Betty, Clay Johnson Jr. twins: Robert and Weldon; Alice Burdette, Margaret Johnson McCurdy; Clay Johnson III, and Sam nephew of Dr. Clay Johnson
    • Johnson family
    • Guests around undraped marker
    • Front parlor with fireplace
    • Reception hall, looking towards morning room, with grandfather clock
    • Reception hall with staircase
    • Hallway with portrait of L. C. Elliott and flowers sent from Johnson family
    • Dining room
    • Dining room with buffet, china cabinet, longhorns over Hereford
    • Ruth Stone with guests in living room
    • Front hallway from upstairs
    • Front hallway from upstairs
    • Second floor hallway, with two portraits of Native Americans
    • Second floor hallway, with Indian arrowheads displays on landing and portraits