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.
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![Oil derricks scattered across landscape, near Breckenridge, Texas [ca. 1920s] by Basil Clemons 1887-1964](https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_basilclemonsphotograph/5176/thumbnail.jpg "Oil derricks scattered across landscape, near Breckenridge, Texas [ca. 1920s] by Basil Clemons 1887-1964")
![Aerial view of the Strong & Co., Inc., Hart No. 1 well, Hart Oil Pool, near Breckenridge, Texas, undated [ca. 1920s-1930s] by Basil Clemons 1887-1964](https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_basilclemonsphotograph/5168/thumbnail.jpg "Aerial view of the Strong & Co., Inc., Hart No. 1 well, Hart Oil Pool, near Breckenridge, Texas, undated [ca. 1920s-1930s] by Basil Clemons 1887-1964")
![Oil and refining company buildings with nearby oil tanks and oil derricks scattered across landscape near Breckenridge, Texas, undated [ca. 1920s-1930s] by Basil Clemons 1887-1964](https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/specialcollections_basilclemonsphotograph/5169/thumbnail.jpg "Oil and refining company buildings with nearby oil tanks and oil derricks scattered across landscape near Breckenridge, Texas, undated [ca. 1920s-1930s] by Basil Clemons 1887-1964")
