Early Stephenville newspaper online at Portal to Texas History

The Stephenville Empire newspapers from 1882 to 1900 are now online at the Portal to Texas History!  The remaining issues of this early title (through 1917), as well as the early Stephenville Tribune (1905 through 1922) will appear in the future, so keep checking the Portal.  Please keep in mind that there are many gaps in those early years.  All Stephenville newspapers the Dick Smith Library has on microfilm through 1922 are being digitized.

This project was funded through a grant provided by the Ladd & Katherine Hancher Library Foundation in September 2016, awarded to the Stephenville Public Library, our partner in this project (they were eligible to apply for the grant; we were not!).

Already users are finding items of interest for their family history research:

"I found an article explaining when my 3X great-grandfather came to Texas from Mississippi!"

"I found my great-great-grandfather telling tall tales about his wheat crop."

"My great-great-grandfather was a member of the Morgan Mill Democratic Club in 1898."

Drive Texas Map

Are you planning a Texas road trip anytime soon? Then you should definitely check out the online Drive Texas map created by the Texas Department of Transportation. This map provides up-to-date information on Texas road conditions. It's a handy resource to consult before going on any road trip.

Each icon on the map represents a different condition:construction, closed, damaged, accident, etc. 

The map allows users to zoom in to a particular location, or you can search for a specific place with the map's search tool. If you click on an affected roadway, you will be provided with additional information.

Close up view of Stephenville area. 

After clicking on the affected road this information appears. 

The map has tools that allow you to choose what type of condition (i.e. accidents, etc.) you want to see on the map. You can also choose to see future planned construction or closures. There are options that also allow you to see traffic conditions or the locations of rest areas and travel information centers.

Choose to view various types of current and future conditions

Find locations of rest areas and other resources. 

Traffic conditions in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. 

Before you start your next Texas road trip, you should consult some library resources as well.

Here's a few books we have on the topic:
Exploring the Edges of Texas by Walt Davis and Isabel Davis.
History along the Way: Stories beyond the Texas Roadside Markers by Dan K. Utley and Cyntia J. Beeman.
Texas Road Trip: Stories from Across the Great State and a Few Personal Reflections by Bryan Woolley.

Library staff can assist you in finding information resources for your next road trip at reference@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9249.