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DALLAS
/ FT. WORTH to PALO PINTO COUNTY
via Weatherford and Mineral Wells and
Visiting a Ghost Town: Thurber
by John Troesser
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Weatherford, Parker
County Back
in the 19th Century, the Texas legislature passed a law stating that
an effort should be made to place the county seat of each county to within five
miles of the geographic center of the county. Well, evidently the people of Weatherford
took this as a challenge. Not only is their town in the center of their county
but their courthouse is built over the exact center.
I find this very
impressive, but during our visit not one person called this to our attention.
But just because they don't brag about it doesn't mean they aren't proud. They
know! Like a lot of other things in Weatherford, it's understated. Like when they
mention "elegance unexpected on the edge of the Texas frontier". An
understatement. |
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Weatherford’s
Restored Santa Fe Depot
Photo Courtesy Lou Ann Herda, 2002
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The
Weatherford
Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center is
located in the restored Santa Fe Depot two blocks east of the courthouse
at: 401 Fort Worth Street, 817-596-3801
Contact them for an impressive
collection of brochures, both informative and entertaining. There's one for the
historic driving tour featuring 59 historic buildings, another for the
cemetery tour, one for events and attractions, one each for lodging and
dining and even one provided by the Antique Dealers Association directing you
to their members.
Weatherford
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| | Parker
County Courthouse in Weatherford
TE photo, 1998 |
Parker
County Courthouse in Weatherford
Built
in 1885 and designed by Dodson and Dudley, the courthouse has recently
been beautifully restored. And did I mention it's exactly in the center of the
county? You may see a few of the bumper stickers from last year which say, "Welcome
to Weatherford, please don't drive into our beautifully restored Courthouse".
Unique also is its absence of a lawn. Old timers will tell you it was removed
so they could expand the cemetery and others swear it is a clever way to reduce
the population of lawyers. Whatever the reason, one can drive close enough to
eavesdrop on the more interesting trials. |
Weatherford
Attractions
Chandor
Gardens
There is more understated elegance in the recently reopened Chandor
Gardens. Four acres inside the city at 710 West Simmons. Open Mid-March through
Mid-November, they wisely close during August. Group tours are by reservation
only. Call 817-613-1700. Tickets are also available at the Chamber of Commerce.
Stagecoach
Factory
Since Weatherford was near the Butterfield Stage Line and had
its own line to Fort Griffin, it's appropriate that the only existing stagecoach
factory (they will make an occasional chariot) should be here. Mr. Brown the owner
and craftsman recently filled an order of five for a movie studio and one of his
models is featured in the movie Maverick. Charles Goodnight is credited
with inventing the chuckwagon for his trail drives and Mr. Brown has built these
too, one of which appears in the annual Parker County Frontier Days Celebration
Livestock Show and Rodeo the last full week of July.
Weatherford
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Weatherford
Events For
shopping enthusiasts, Weatherford features First Monday Trade Days taking
place Friday, Saturday, preceding the first Monday of each month.
Parker
County Peach Festival attracts over 25,000 people annually. It takes place
the second Saturday in July on the square around the courthouse. Definitely a
family affair.
Parker
County Frontier Days Celebration Livestock Show and Rodeo draws crowds Wednesday
through Saturday last full week in June.
Weatherford
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Weatherford
History
History - It's hard
to get away from it in Weatherford. After putting five cents in the meter for
one hour of parking, we walked into the Downtown Café and there it was
on the walls – history! Sepia photographs of Weatherford's past. Peaches as big
as grapefruit! Watermelons as big as Yugos!
Courthouses in the
geographic center of the county! Even some of the customers looked historic.
The food was a little slow in coming, so we went next door where I had seen a
rack of old postcards through the window. Well, it wasn't an antique store but
a Butane company, and proceeds from the postcard sales go to the Abandoned
Cemetery Association. There are over forty abandoned cemeteries in Parker
County.
On the west wall are about twenty framed photographs of
the courthouse. Big ones, little ones, courthouse with snow, courthouse
without snow, courthouse with circled wagons, courthouse circled by Model T's.
An aerial view too. I think the only missing view was a subterranean one of the
foundation.
On the east wall more history. The only photograph extant
of Boze Ikard, the character portrayed by Danny Glover in the movie Lonesome
Dove. This photo was only recently discovered (after the book was written
and the movie made). Both Ikard and Oliver Loving are buried in Weatherford's
Greenwood Cemetery.
By the way, if you have a beef with Larry
McMurtry about the story you might want to drive up to Archer
City about 97 miles northwest and discuss it with him. Archer City has a nice
1892 Sandstone Courthouse, but it's a few miles off-center. Since Mr. McMurtry
seems intent on filling every building in Archer City with books, it might be
a good idea to visit soon, before he gets to the courthouse.
Weatherford
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Weatherford
Mineral Wells and Northwest Railway
You may want to take advantage of Weatherford's bargain parking meters and
walk to Mineral Wells.
Well, it's possible. For those of you not familiar
with Rails to Trails, it's a program to convert abandoned or unused rail
lines to bike, equestrian and/or hiking trails. An excellent way to travel leisurely
cross-country without encroaching on private property. Weatherford and Mineral
Wells are connected by the roadbed of the old Weatherford Mineral Wells and
Northwest Railway, once known as the Water, More Water and No Whiskey Railroad.
It's 22 miles to downtown Mineral Wells, with Comfort Stations conveniently spaced
along the way.
Mineral
Wells - Trip continued, next page
> |
© John
Troesser
April, 1998
Images added July 17, 2004
Weatherford
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