A book for all Midlanders

From Clay McGonagil and George Abell to Clayton Williams and George W. Bush, Midland has been graced with over a century’s worth of memorable history; history that has proved vital to our country from a town built by men and women with determined vision; a town not without either character or characters.

       Veteran Midland writer Jimmy Patterson tells our story, a story that spans from our earliest days -- when cotton and cattle were king -- to the 21st century -- when Midland’s people have struggled, succeeded and, time and again, thrived together.

     “A History of Character” builds from where other books on Midland – “Land of the High Sky” and “Historic Midland” – leave off.   While acknowledging pre-1959 Midland history through a chronological telling of our earlier story, our more present-day history will be told largely through our people.

     “A History of Character” focuses on people who have come from Midland and people who have come out of Midland. Many have played significant roles in the development of our city, and many others have honed their character here, come out of Midland and made significant contributions to our state or country.

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“In the history of Midland, I am struck by one over-riding theme that runs through every person and virtually every story that has helped build this town: the high character of the men and women who have made us who and what we are,”  
                The Honorable John Hyde, 238th District Court Judge.