A Texas-flag themed mural reading "Archer City" on the side of a tan building

Dave Shafer couldn’t resist grabbing this photograph while shooting for “The Ghosts of Archer City” in the North Texas town, which is located 25 miles south of Wichita Falls. “On stories I’m shooting, I’m always looking for that unique angle or moment that is different and totally my vision,” Shafer says. The image includes Archer City’s sole traffic signal at State Highway 79 and Main Street. The mural at the forefront is the result of a 2019 community fundraising project that allowed participants to purchase a portion of the wall to paint. As people colored in their squares, the full artwork was slowly revealed.

From the August 2021 issue

Get the Magazine

Save up to 62% off the cover price

Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletters

Sign up for magazine extras, upcoming events, Mercantile specials, subscription offers, and more.