BARTLETT -- Nestled in Wheeler County is the small town of Bartlett, which holds the nation's largest bronze sculpture garden, according to its designer -- Bob Nicols. Two weeks ago, it received its newest addition. 

Nichols upkeeps 43 unique figures in the park, created by his childhood buddy; renowned artist Herb Mignery.

The park was first molded when the artist reached out to Nichols, in 2002.  

"He gave us this," Nichols said pointing to the park's largest sculpture, "Silent Leather," towering above him. The piece is an homage to the peace a cowboy finds after a hot and busy day, when "the creak of saddle leather stops and pleasant thoughts take over," as Mignery wrote.

"There's only two of these in the world." It cannot be recreated because the woman who does the finishing mold developed brain cancer.

That increased its value by $100,000 more than its original value (which Nichols could not share). So far, Nichols and the Barlett community have raised that much in fundraising for the rest of the park -- made of sculpture donations from Mignery, though three are Mignery's sculptures which people in the community had owned and donated.

Before they arrive at the park -- or at other locations the artist has sold to such as in Hawaii --- first, Mignery makes a mold design out of heavy black clay.

"Herb doesn't leave a thing out. The cowboys might have gloves in their back pocket, all the faces are different," Nichols explained. 

Then, it goes to a foundry. From there, others create the final three forms made around the clay. Bronze is then cast over it, heated at 415 degrees, then welded together.  

The bronzes share more than the same artist -- but the same theme. 

"Herb told me one time, with the bronzes he gives us, he wants to tell the history of the country right here, the history of the people who helped him grow up, helped his dad grow up," Nichols said. "Herb and I both grew up on ranches, and he tells that history."

For example, 'Green Apples' is a design of Mignery and another local as children.

'The Ultimate Disgrace' is about a local workhorse that was known to outrun the cattlehorses in the community.

Some stories go further back.

'The Letter', Nichols' favorite, shows a cowboy relaxing as he reads a letter, and having had taken off a boot. 

"I think anyone who's been in the military knows how that feels," Nichols said. 

'White Man's Promise' shows the emotion of colonists scamming natives. Other statues show what it may have been like for immigrants to the west, at different time periods. Each statue has "unbelievable" detail, as Nichols describes it. 

Around 1,000 new people visit from out of town per year.

The garden sees about two new sculptures per year. 

The newest addition is titled "Saddle and the Sage." You can find it in front of the Wheeler County Museum in Bartlett.