Collection includes work of commercial photographer, Basil Clemons. The collection includes works produced primarily in Breckenridge, Texas, and consists of silver gelatin prints (approx. 12,000); nitrate, safety, and paper negatives (approximately 5,900); artifacts; articles; and Clemmons family genealogy cards. Clemons' prints of Breckenridge's development and decline provide a valuable contribution to the social history of small town America and the boom town phenomena. Photos of the oil fields in and around Breckenridge in Stephens County during the 1920s dominate the collection. Photos of circuses and wild west shows are especially noteworthy. Other towns represented are Caddo, Eliasville, Ibex, Ivan, Parks, Ranger, and South Bend. A few photos are included of Fort Worth, Jim Kearn, Lovely Valley, Possum Kingdom Lake, and Stinton. Also includes prints of West Texas oil fields by H. T. Bearden and the United Oil Photo & Press Service of Stephenville, Texas.
Finding aid available here. Materials provided by Special Collections and Archives at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Finding aid available here. Materials provided by Special Collections and Archives at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.
![Junior Orchestra - Prof[essor] J. C. Burkett, Director - Breckenridge, Texas by Basil Clemons 1887-1964](https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_basilclemonsphotograph/3741/thumbnail.jpg "Junior Orchestra - Prof[essor] J. C. Burkett, Director - Breckenridge, Texas by Basil Clemons 1887-1964")
![1935-1936 Buckaroo Band - B.H.S. - Breckenridge, Texas - Prof[esor] J. C. Burkett, Director by Basil Clemons 1887-1964](https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_basilclemonsphotograph/3737/thumbnail.jpg "1935-1936 Buckaroo Band - B.H.S. - Breckenridge, Texas - Prof[esor] J. C. Burkett, Director by Basil Clemons 1887-1964")
![The High School band - 1935 - Breckenridge, Texas - Edgar Bunkley, Major - Prof[essor] J. C. Burkett, Director by Basil Clemons 1887-1964](https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_basilclemonsphotograph/3733/thumbnail.jpg "The High School band - 1935 - Breckenridge, Texas - Edgar Bunkley, Major - Prof[essor] J. C. Burkett, Director by Basil Clemons 1887-1964")
![The 1934 football banquet - B. H. S., Breckenridge, Texas in the Junior High School gym - Dec[ember] 4th by Basil Clemons 1887-1964](https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_basilclemonsphotograph/3731/thumbnail.jpg "The 1934 football banquet - B. H. S., Breckenridge, Texas in the Junior High School gym - Dec[ember] 4th by Basil Clemons 1887-1964")
