Willard and Ray Thomas Collection

Summary: Donor Willard Thomas gave the following items gathered for an exhibit he created for the 1895 Room in the Tarrant County Courthouse. The prints are concepts of buildings in Fort Worth, 1849-1853, by Fort Worth artist and historian William B. Potter. Thomas' son, Ray Thomas, later donated items that are currently on display in the 1895 Room.

Artifacts in 1895 Room

  • Model 1847 .58 Caliber Cavalry Musketoon
  • Grimsley reproduction saddle and accompanying tack
  • Reproduction Dragoon Officer Dress Uniform, Major
  • Reproduction 1849 dress and bonnet, blue
  • Reproduction 1849 Child's dress and bonnet (red and white)
  • Reproduction Colt Walker Black Powder Revolver

Prints

  • "Sunset," Where the West Begins, Old Fort Worth, 1849-1853, William B. Potter, 10 by 16.25 inches
  • "Sunset," Where the West Begins, Old Fort Worth, 1849-1853, William B. Potter, 17.75 inches by 11.5 inches
  • "Old Fort Worth U.S. Army Outpost on the Trinity," Company F, Second Dragoons and Company F, Eighth Infantry, 1849-1853, William B. Potter, 1992
  • "Ghost Riders," Second Dragoons, Old Fort Worth, 1849-1853, William B. Potter, 17.75 by 12 inches
  • "Blue Mound Vista from Old Fort Worth," 1849-1853, William B. Potter, 22 by 15 inches
  • "Fort Worth, 1849-1853," signed by artist, William B. Potter, 40 by 29 inches 1988
  • "Old Fort Worth juxtaposed with modern skyline," William B. Potter, 44 by 35 inches, 1990
  • "Old Fort Worth U.S. Army Outpost on the Trinity," 1849-1853, William B. Potter, 11.25 by 17.5 inches, 1992
  • "Sick Call, Old Fort Worth, 1849-1853," William B. Potter, 11.25 by 17.5 inches, 1991
Books
  • The Fort in Fort Worth, by Clay Perkins, M.D., Keller, Texas: Cross-Timbers Heritage Publishing Company, 2001
  • The Medical Records of Fort Worth, 1849-1853, copied from Federal Archives, published by Cross-Timbers Area Heritage Publishing Corporation, undated
Subject Files
  • Excerpts from "Biographical Register of Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point," by Brevet Major General George W. Cullum, undated
  • Excerpts from "Pioneer Rest Cemetery," biographical sketches on Alphonso Freeman and Abraham Harris, published by the Fort Worth Genealogical Society, 2001
  • Pamphlet: "Let's Make Sure 'They Will Never be Lost Again'," Willard Thomas, circa 2000
  • "West Point Officers at Fort Worth," by Seldon Graham, Colonel U.S. Army (Ret.) West Point Class of 1951
  • Remarks on the "Register of Graduates" from West Point who were at the Fort in Fort Worth, 2001

Sunset, Where the West Begins, Old Fort Worth, 1849-1853, William B. Potter, undated 

Pictured: Sunset, Where the West Begins, Old Fort Worth, 1849-1853, William B. Potter, undated