Campfire Stories
Immerse yourself in the stories of the people who defined Texas.
Since the discovery of fire, people have gathered around campfires to share stories. At the Bullock Museum, the story of Texas history begins with Amarillo artist Robert T. Ritter's mosaic. At the center is the fire pit. Gathered around the fire are the people who wrote the stories of Texas. Use the interactive mosaic below to explore Texas's campfire and discover the people who shaped Texas.
Explore Campfire Stories
Click a character to learn his or her Texas story. Click and drag the terrazzo title to rotate the wheel, or use the Rotate Terrazzo controls.
African Americans
![African American woman at washtub 1800s](/upload/images/characters/african-american/africanamerican-featured-original%281%29.jpg?1453143341)
I belong to myself now. Harriet, freed woman, 1865Explore The Story
American Indians
![East Texas landscape with lake and trees](/upload/images/characters/tzo-native-americans.jpg?1453143341)
We must be wary... Naguatex CaddiExplore The Story
Buffalo Soldiers
![10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers](/upload/images/characters/tzo-buffalosoldier.jpg?1453143342)
I never saw braver men anywhere. General John PershingExplore The Story
Cattle Ranchers
![group of longhorn cattle in a field with a man on a horse corralling them](/upload/images/characters/cattle-folk/campfire-2021/cattle-ranchers-profile.jpg?1617199757)
Other states are carved or born; Texas grew from hide and horn. Bertha Hart Nance, 1932Explore The Story
Conquistadors
![Spanish conquistador with raised sword standing in water](/upload/images/characters/tzo-conquistador.jpg?1453143342)
This clearly shows how the designs of men sometimes miscarry. Cabeza de VacaExplore The Story
Frontier Folk
![Frontier family and stagecoach](/upload/images/characters/tzo-frontierfolk.jpg?1453143344)
G.T.T.Explore The Story
Gone To Texas frontier saying
Missionaries
![St. Francis of Assisi stained glass window](/upload/images/characters/tzo-missionary.jpg?1453143343)
Happy are those who endure in peace... St. Francis of AssisiExplore The Story
Roughnecks
![Spindletop oil derrick 1901](/upload/images/characters/tzo-roughneck.jpg?1453143343)
There's something down there. Al Hamill, Spindletop driller 1901Explore The Story
Texas Rangers
![Texas Ranger silver star badge](/upload/images/characters/tzo-rangers.jpg?1453143343)
They were men who could not be stampeded. Colonel Homer T. Garrison, Jr.Explore The Story
Vaqueros
![Frederick Remington drawing of vaquero on a galloping black horse](/upload/images/characters/tzo-vaquero.jpg?1453143342)
I wanted to become a vaquero and I did. Albert Rojas, author of These Were the VaquerosExplore The Story
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
![WASP silver wing pin](/upload/images/characters/tzo-wasp.jpg?1453143343)
We will not again look upon a women’s flying organization as an experiment. We will know they can handle our fastest fighters, our heaviest bombers. AAF Commanding General Henry "Hap" Arnold, 1944. (Source: War Department Press Release, Address by General H.H. Arnold, Thursday, December 7, 1944)Explore The Story