Drawn to the rich blackland soils in the eastern portion of Williamson County, early inhabitants farmed the land. The soils in Williamson County are some of the finest farmland in Texas. The landscape is rich with trees and rivers and creeks. Settlers, foreign and American, arrived in Texas in the 1820s seeking that fertile land and a better life.

Through the lens of Jno. P. Trlica, early twentieth century Granger comes to life. A first-generation Czech-Texan, Trlica began his photography career shortly after moving to Granger from Lavaca County in 1900. He opened his own portrait studio in 1910, and spent a lifetime capturing Granger’s citizens on camera. Trlica Photography Studio advertisements displayed both business savvy and democratic values. “Where There Is Beauty, We Take It. Where There Is None, We Make It. We Take Anything.” True to his slogan, Trlica documented every aspect of life, from intimate moments to human events and natural disasters. His anti-discrimination policy has resulted in a photographic history that includes diverse communities. Through Jno. P. Trlica’s lens, we gain a rare, comprehensive glimpse of life in Granger’s early days.

The Williamson Museum invited members of the county’s Hispanic-American community to donate family photographs documenting life in Williamson County. Images from that effort in the new exhibit include May Fest 2009 celebrations in Round Rock, class photographs from the area’s Mexican schools, and eighteen portraits of Hispanic men who served in all branches of the military from World War II to present day. Will be on display at the Round Rock Higher Education Center through March 2011.

Hard times, racial unrest and nostalgia offered the 1920s KKK a foothold in Texas. Local groups cropped up around the state. With their stated main goals of protecting God, country, home, womanhood, the South and white supremacy, the members of this secret society saw themselves as the defender of morality and society. Through 1921, there were 52 reported acts of Klan violence. As the violence grew, Texans got scared. But, as that fear turned to anger, serious opposition to the KKK increased. In 1923, members of local Klaverns kidnapped a man, beat and tarred him and left him chained to a tree in Taylor-- Dan Moody took action.

Historical photographs can say a thousand words, but a mural tells a whole story. With this project, the Museum captures the spirit, nostalgia and beauty of the 1930s and 1940s public art style with seven stunning history-themed murals. Significant historical events and individuals were common themes of the original Public Works Art Project, and the Museum continues this tradition with the creation of these murals.

See the communities, people and places across Williamson County, with photographs and information from places like Liberty Hill, Jarrell, Taylor and Cedar Park.

Why did the first Swedish immigrants come to Texas? What did they experience when they arrived? What hardships did they face? How did they adapt to the harsh Texas climate? Discover the answers to these questions and more with this traveling exhibit. Exhibit consists of four double-sided panels and a hands-on educational trunk featuring artifacts and primary sources.

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