Archer City sits in the center of Archer County. The county and town was established and recognized by the state legislature in 1858. The city was named after Branch Tanner Archer, a leading figure in the Texas Revolution and Republic of Texas.
Archer City is the hometown of internationally known Larry McMurtry. In fact you can find one of his Oscars right here, and if you love theater you can also get the "royal treatment."

"Small town America struggles to really have an identity," says Archer City resident Gary Beesinger.

That's not the case in Archer City.

Thanks to hometown author Larry McMurtry's novel " The Last Picture Show." 

"Unfortunately, Larry and his family took a lot of hits over that.", says Gary Beesinger who is on the Royal Theatre Artistic Committee.

 The controversial movie was filmed in Archer City. It dealt with the reality of small towns dying, and the awkward period of life between boyhood and manhood.

Beesinger said, "(It) Really boiled down to the moral question and don't get me wrong. Still kinda cringe at some of the scenes."

Some residents felt it portrayed the quiet town as "sin city". 
 
"With time changing it's all been kind of forgotten. When they came and filmed Texasville everyone was "welcome back" with open arms. Everyone wanted to be a part of it-- quite the opposite of what it was when filming the Last Texas Show here," said Beesinger.

 You can see the 'Royal Theatre' in several scenes, but a fire in 1965 gutted the interior and forced the theater to close. The property was condemned. But, a group of citizens got together 35 years after the fire and rebuilt it as a performing arts center. The Royal Theatre draws many from all over the world.

Douglas Green who is from London said, "I have a friend who lives here but then he told me about the old Cinemark and being in the film industry I thought I'd come up and have a look."

 Others come to see a one of a kind book store. Larry McMurtry opened the antique shop 'booked up' in 1986. Rare and old books line the walls from ceiling to floor, and the store is so big it has to be housed in four separate buildings. You can literally find thousands of books. Everything from bird watching, to religion, to psychology. You can literally find every topic, but you won't find books written by McMurtry. He donated those to the Lonesome Dove Inn. Named after his Pulitzer prize novel.

Co-Owner of the bed and breakfast, Mary Webb grew up with McMutry. Every room is named after one of his movies or characters. Webb says she's happy for her old friend's success. The Inn's mantle is home to McMurtry's Oscar and Golden Globe awards for his screen play of "Brokeback Mountain."

"Nobody thought passed the end of your nose when you're in High School. We always knew he had a special knack for telling stories," Webb said.

Webb says she is always asked who the characters in 'The Last Picture Show' were based on.
 
Webb said, "None of them were anybody in particular. They were all just kind of composites of people. Characteristics of people so I can't say that I liked it or didn't like it. It was just kinda like. Growing up all over again on the big screen."