GATESVILLE, TEXAS
Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
An extraordinary man, Lloyd Mitchell, made others feel special – and his simple accidental find of a spur in Yellowstone National Park led to what is now known as the World’s Largest Spur Collection, located in Gatesville, Texas, a small town of just over 16,000 people.
Gatesville isn’t famous. It’s basically known as the town not far from the north entrance of Fort Hood. Lloyd Mitchell wasn’t anyone particularly famous either. He was a head coach for Gatesville high school sports from 1944-1955, then went on to teach history. A simple man who made a daily difference in the lives of many kids, he was well-known and well-loved in the area.
Over the years since he found his first spur, Mitchell’s collection grew as he added to it, and so did his friends, family, and students, who would bring spurs back to him from around the world.
After he died in 1991, his family donated the spurs to the Coryell Museum and Historical Center so that the collection would be preserved and cherished by others who love spurs and history as much as he did. This display is now known as the Lloyd and Madge Mitchell Spur Collection.
One thing we love about older historical artifacts is the creativity, craftsmanship, character, and love that went into each design. You may think a spur is a spur is a spur. That it was utilitarian and plain, just something to get the work done of directing a horse.
But once you discover this lovingly curated collection and take the time to see the differences and notice the details, you will become enchanted with their beauty. As you enter the museum, you can pick up a two-page document explaining the history and parts of spurs. Then you’ll be able to identify the parts as you peruse the collection. Later you’ll be able to knowledgeably talk about spurs with your family and friends.
The collection includes spurs which were worn from as early as the 13th century through the 20th century. Most of the spurs are from the 1800s to the early 1900s.
The most famous spurs on display belonged to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, wife of President John F. Kennedy, and to Pancho Villa, a leader in the Mexican Revolution.
Museum volunteer and board member, Catherine Fulton, happily verifies Mitchell’s reputation. “He was an absolutely wonderful man,” she smiles, her face lighting up in remembrance. She shared with us her favorite memory of Mitchell. “When my son was around five years old, we went out to visit Lloyd. He kept his spur collection in a metal building. We went in there and he gave my son one of his spurs. My son thought it was the greatest day of his life,” she gushes.
You can picture the smile on that little boy’s face as he ran his hands over the timeworn spur, feeling the love of the gift, knowing he held something that was so precious to Mitchell.
So now we know the collection is smaller than it could be by at least one spur – and who knows how many other little boys and girls Mitchell made smile by sharing his passion. Proving Angelou right, Mitchell will always be remembered by many in the local community, not just for his collection, but for how he made them feel.
Coryell Museum & Heritage Center is located at 718 E. Main St., Gatesville, TX 76528
Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10am-4pm
Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.
How to Help the Coryell County Museum & Heritage Center
Donate – Please donate while you’re there or click the link to donate online.
Join – Even if you don’t live nearby to visit often, a simple $20 membership can be purchased which helps the museum.
Volunteer – If you live near Gatesville, Texas, the museum can always use volunteers.
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