Temporary Exhibit: The Texas-California Trail Drives 1849-1860

The public is invited to join VC's Museum of the Coastal Bend for a temporary exhibit, The Texas-California Trail Drives 1849-1860.

Created by artist Tom Jones (1920-2000), this series vividly chronicles the grueling, dusty reality of historical cattle drives stretching from Texas to California. The sixteen paintings were inspired by two diaries of trail bosses on an 1857 drive from San Antonio to San Diego, California. The eyewitness accounts in the diaries lend a unique character to Jones’ depictions of daily struggles and rugged landscapes.

Tom Jones was a well-known artist, historian, and woodworker. Born in San Antonio, Jones was a descendant of Republic of Texas era pioneers. His own experience as a ranch hand inspired the Western themes represented in his art. Known for his attention to details, Jones is celebrated for creating paintings that reconstruct historical scenes. He produced over 400 historical paintings and sketches in his career. His art is featured in the publication, Victoria, A 300 Year Sampler, and his hand-carved wood sign Street of Ten Friends can be seen in the entryway to Victoria’s historic downtown district.

This exhibit is on loan to Victoria College's Museum of the Coastal Bend from the J. A. White Family Goliad Center for Texas History. 

Admission to the museum is free and open to the public.