The Big Spring scrapbook was prepared in support of the city's bid to become the site of Texas Technological College in 1923.
"Big Spring, the county seat of Howard County, is at the
intersection of Interstate Highway 20, U.S. highways 80 and 87, State Highway
350, Farm Road 700, and the Missouri Pacific line in southwest central Howard
County. The city is in a rocky gorge between two high foothills of the Caprock
escarpment in West Texas. It derives its name from the nearby "big spring" in
Sulphur Draw, which was a watering place for coyotes, wolves, and herds of
buffalo, antelope, and mustangs; the spring was a source of conflict between
Comanche and Shawnee Indians and a campsite used by early expeditions across
West Texas." (
The scrapbook contains statistics, charts, maps, and photographs documenting the city of Big Springs, Texas in 1923. Topics covered in the scrapbook include Big Spring's climatic conditions, health conditions, water supply, transportation and accessibility, agriculture, public utilities, and community life.
Big Spring (Texas) Scrapbook, 1923, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.