The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 39, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Page: 6 of 55
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The Clifton Record
Wednesday, Sept 20,2007
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1EXAS HISTORIC
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RE-DEDICATION OF COURTHOUSE — The Bosque County Courthouse was re-dedlcated on Saturday, Sept 22, with hundreds of guests on hand to honor the renovation of the courthouse to
Its original beauty. Bosque Count Judge Cole Word welcomed guests, and honorary speakers included (from left) Stan Graves, former Judge Bobby Joe Conrad, singer Miriam Wallace, Diane
Bumpas, Rep. Rob Orr, and Congressman Chet Edwards. _ staff Photo By c«roi Moulton
Hundreds Converge On Meridian
For Courthouse Rededication
By Carol Moulton
STAFF REPORTER
MERIDIAN — Hundreds of
visitors converged on Meridian
Saturday afternoon for the re-
dedication of the recently re-
stored Bosque County
Courthouse. Visitors came
from all over Texas and from as
far away as New Jersey.
The festivities opened with a
parade at 5 p.m., which boosted
a total of 70 entries, with young-
sters of the upcoming genera-
tion, to one of the oldest Bosque
County residents at 102. There
were floats, fire trucks, horses
€U&(1 wagons, Mic.g Moridi^
Danielle Rigsby dressed circa
1800s, and a variety of bands,
cheerleaders, and visitors from
eveiy comer of the county. Pa-
rade entries were announced
by renowned artist George
Hallmark of Meridian.
At 5:45 p.m., Bosque County
Judge Cole Word welcomed ev-
eryone to the courthouse
square and said, “There is no
way I can thank the people of
Bosque County,” for the historic
reconstruction of the court-
house.
Following the raising of the
flags by the Boy Scouts, both
the Star Spangled Banner and
Texas, Our Texas were sung by
the crowd under the leadership
of soloist Miriam Wallace. The
invocation was offered by the
Rev. Allen Johannes, chairman
of the Bosque County Histori-
cal Commission.
Judge Word then introduced
all the elected officials of the
county and the state and na-
tional venues who wfere on
hand for the dedication.
District 58 State Representa-
tive Rob Orr provided a brief
histoiy of the state’s involve-
ment in the courthouse renova-
tion program. He noted that
$3.4 million had been given to
Bosque County from the state
for the renovation of the
Bosque County Courthouse.
“The courthouse stands for
the progress and the prosper-
ity of a county,” said Orr. “It is a
tribute to our past and a win-
dow to our future.”
“This is a day to etch in our
memories,” said Congressman
Chet Edwards, “a day rich in
history.”
Edwards spoke of the pride
in the roots of family and home,
and said that the courthouse is
a part of understanding the
past and is a vital building block
for future generations.
“I salute you for this historic
accomplishment,” said
Edwards, “and for the values
that made it possible.”
Edwards said that it is a “liv-
ing monument to the values”
held dear by the people of
Bosque County.
Diane Bumpas, a Texas His-
torical Commission commis-
sioner, spoke briefly about the
histoiy of the Bosque County
Courthouse and closed by not-
ing that Judge Cole Word is the
fifth Word to serve as a judge
in Bosque Count. She said that
the renovation of the court-
Judge Cole Word
Rep. Chet Edwards
Bobby Joe Conrad
Rep. Rob Orr
The history of the Bosque
County courthouse, from its
earliest inception under a live
oak tree south of Clifton, to the
newly restored building today,
was given by former County
Judge Bobby Joe Conrad.
A member of the Elizabeth
Crockett Chapter of Granbury,
of the Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution, presented
Judge Word with a U.S. Flag
that had flown over the nation’s
capital in Washington, D.C., and
had been delivered to Texas by
Congressman Chet Edwards.
Conrad introduced the
Bosque County Courthouse
Restoration and Preservation
Association, including Marilyn
Ridings, Debbie Kibler, Feneva
Finstad, Earl Huse, Raymond
Whitney, Betty Conrad, J. Marc
Myers, and Jim Burch. Word
presented the Courthouse Re-
Dedication Committee, includ-
ing Corinne J. Brandt, Joann
Gloff, Kay Offiit, and Cedi and
Bonnie Sedberry.
Following that, Judge Word
introduced the Harrison
Walker and Harper Construc-
tion family, and read a letter of
appreciation that he formally
presented to them.
“In a few words, I will at-
tempt to convey the respect,
admiration, and gratitude I
have for the dedication and
commitment your company
gave to the restoration of our
Stan Graves
Diane Bumpas
ally thank and congratulate
each one for a job well done.
The respect, admiration, and
pride shown in that act will
never be forgotten. It was then
that I realized the dedication
that this company had for this
project.”
After Judge Word finished
thanking the group, it pre-
sented him with an award the
courthouse has received for
being the best construction in
2007 in Texas.
Word offered a special thanks
to his secretary and “second
wife,” Tab Ferguson, for all her
support and help through the
restoration project.
When the speeches were fin-
ished, a ribbon-cutting pro-
gram was held on the east
courthouse steps and the doors
were opened to the public.
Refreshments were available
in the lower hallway, as well as
in the district courtroom up-
stairs. Many visitors took the
time to tour the newly restored
courthouse and visit with
friends and neighbors, both in
the courthouse and on the
lawn. "-«-v • . ’
Throughout the afternoon
and evening, fire departments
from all over the county were
selling food and serving drinks
on the west side of the court-
house, where tents and tables
were set up for diners to cool
off and epjqy the evening.
On Sunday, an old-fashioned
meal was served at the Merid-
ian Civic Center, with proceeds
going towards the restoration
of the iron fence that once sur-
rounded the courthouse lawn.
A blessing of the courthouse
was offered at 2 p.m., with the
courthouse open, again, to visi-
tors.
Bosque County Courthouse.
From the spirited presentation
by Chip Harper at the onset of
this process, to this very mo-
ment today, HWH has never
wavered in doing what they said
they were going to do. A lost art
in today’s business world, but
common occurrence for this
company.
“From the goodness and soli-
darity of Tommy Ftilford, the
comical, but professional input
from Steve Dunn, the blood,
sweat, and tears of Roger
Garza, expertise of Jordan
Haiper, and the intense fatherly
guidance of Neal Sifzes, molded
together a remarkable team
that produced what you see to-
day. An award-winning-stun-
le letter went on to say, that
on Nov. 14, 2006, “turret day”
was one of the days that will
never be forgotten. In conclu-
sion, Word said, “It was then,
when I say Neal with victory ci-
gar in hand, individually made
his way by each man to person-
EXAS HISTORIC
COURTHOUSE
ERVATJON PROGRAM
Judge Word receives American Flag from DAR,
Elizabeth Crockett Chaoter. Granburv
torical Commission presented
Judge Word with an historical
plaque to be placed at the court-
house.
courthouse Restoration, Preservation Association
Geneva Finstad, Raymond Whitney, Debbie Kibler, Marilyn Ridings
v
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Smith, W. Leon. The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 39, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 26, 2007, newspaper, September 26, 2007; Clifton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth788968/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Nellie Pederson Civic Library.