This collection of 16mm clips was originally shot and compiled in the 1950s by W.H. Tilley. Footage features images of downtown St. Louis (including St. Louis Union Station), Philadelphia's Independence Hall, "Demolishing of Deaf School" (1956), the Texas State Capitol and Congress Avenue, Barton Springs (1953), exterior and interior views of the Tilley home (1953), the flag and Capitol building at sunrise, and sightseeing in Montreal (including parades, a carriage, and views from Mt. Royal).

Brothers Wesley Hope and Paul Tilley can be counted among Texas' pioneering filmmakers. Their movie work extends at least as far back as 1910.

In addition to their short subjects (as for-hire filmmakers) and early documentary movies of Texas, the Austin-based Tilleys made cartoons, titles, slides, advertisements, newsreels, and comedy features. The brothers were also involved in the turn-of-the-century amusement business as carnival music producers and for-hire projectionists.

The Tilley brothers are best known, however, for their three commercial narrative features: Mexican Conspiracy Outgeneralled, Their Lives By a Slender Thread and The Kentucky Feud. These films were produced in 1913 around central Texas (as well as Mexico) under the auspices of their Satex production company and film lab, one of the first of its kind in Texas.

W. Hope Tilley eventually pursued his music-related activities full-time, remaining in Austin. Paul Tilley later worked with another fellow Texan in Hollywood, film director King Vidor.

Travis County Austin

1950s 50s fifties nineteen fifties cars autos automobiles trucks pickup trucks avenue street boulevard cities church traffic buildings street lights street lamps St. Louis Missouri St. Louis Union Station taxis Philadelphia Pennsylvania Indepedence Hall Liberty Bell landmark clock tower lamp street lamp pigeons Independence National Historical Park squirrel tree Deaf School Austin building capital grounds demolishing

demolishment clouds bell tower belfry rubble kids men walking figure Austin Travis Country state capitol Texas congress avenue bus signs capitol building Congress Avenue Barton Springs autumn park shadoes moon tower telephone wire fall pool springs natural springs picnic table house bushes lawn chimney street corner window interior flag American flag flag waving sunrise silhouette

tram St. Catherine St. Montreal city square St. John the Baptist Parade parade float Quebec carriage women Mt. Royal Mount Royal vista view cityscape waterfront Mt. Royal Montreal Harbor Canada Canadian Pacific Depot Sunset Limited TFC