Historic gardens

Front Page

Contact Brian

Smiley face

Contact staff writer Brian Smith at
bsmith@weatherforddemocrat.com.

Related Photos

Mayor Dennis Hooks, left, and former mayor Joe Tison unveil the new Texas Historical Commission historic marker at Chandor Gardens on Friday afternoon, one of 15,828 state historical markers across Texas as of Jan. 1. David May/Democrat Photo
PORTRAIT PAINTER DOUGLAS CHANDOR BEGAN DESIGNS FOR HIS HOME AND GARDEN IN 1934. ORIGINALLY CALLED WHITE SHADOWS, THE GARDEN WAS RENAMED CHANDOR GARDENS BY HIS WIFE, INA, AFTER HER HUSBAND'S DEATH IN 1953. CARVED FROM A CALICHE HILLSIDE THAT HAD BEEN HIS IN-LAWS' COW PASTURE, IT CONSISTS OF SEVEN INTERLOCKING GARDENS WITH ORIENTAL AND ENGLISH FEATURES. MOST GARDENS INCLUDE A FOUNTAIN OR POND, AND SPACE FOR FLORA, STATUARY OR OTHER OBJECTS. THE GARDEN OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AND BEGAN ATTRACTING REGIONAL ATTENTION BY 1938 FROM NEWSPAPER FEATURES. CHANDOR'S WISH WAS THAT HIS GARDEN WOULD BE AN INCENTIVE FOR TEXAS MEN TO TAKE UP GARDENING. THE GARDEN REFLECTS CHANDOR'S ABILITY TO TRANSFORM THOUGHT AND LANDSCAPE INTO A PLACE OF BEAUTY. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 2011 David May/Democrat Photo
Dedication ceremony attendee Rex Hughes looks over the new Chandor Gardens state historical marker. David May/Democrat Photo
From left, Chandor Gardens Manager Karen Nantz, Harold Lawrence of the Parker County Historical Commission, Mayor Dennis Hooks, heritage society members Bill Warren and Jamie Bodiford-Brinkley and former mayor Joe Tison flank the new state historical marker at Chandor Gardens. David May/Democrat Photo

The Democrat welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed. No guest or anonymous comments allowed.

comments powered by Disqus

January 27, 2013

Historic gardens

State historic marker newest planting at Chandor Gardens

Anonymous Weatherford Democrat The Weatherford Democrat Mon Mar 04, 2013, 10:19 AM CST

By BRIAN SMITH

Three years in the making, but well worth the wait.

City and county officials came out Friday afternoon for the unveiling of a Texas historical marker at Chandor Gardens. Weatherford City Manager Jerry Blaisdell said the marker is just one of the things that makes the city great.

“It signifies the best part and why people come here, for our historical heritage,” Blaisdell said. “The marker honors this historic property and is what makes Weatherford unique in so many ways.”

The marker is placed at the entrance of the facility and is a fitting tribute to the Chandor family, according to Chandor Gardens Manager Karen Nantz. The garden is reportedly one of four peace gardens in the world.

Bill Warren with the Parker County Heritage Society, who wrote the application to have the marker granted, said the process involved several months of research before being submitted to the county level for review and editing application and then on to the Texas Historical Commission. Warren said the application for the marker was approved in Feburary 2011, but making the markers and inscribing them took the most time.

“We actually received the markers (in December) but with everything going on with the holidays, we decided to wait before having the ceremony,” Warren said.

Warren praised Weatherford officials for helping with the nomination process. Former mayor Joe Tison told a crowd of about 50 people he was asked by resident Jamie Bodiford-Brinkley to buy the property back in 2001 but contended the city didn’t have the money.

“I had never been out there and I saw the place and I knew we had to buy it,” Tison said. “It’s a wonderful way to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy some peace and quiet.”

Tison said the city did not buy the property for now but for generations to come. He said the city parks and recreation department have done a tremendous job of keeping the facility up over the years.

Harold Lawrence, president of the Parker County Historical Commission, said he was proud the application was approved after some editing of what would go on the marker and said there are other markers being considered for county areas, including parts of the Bankhead Highway and the Mount Pleasant Colored School.

Text Only

Front Page

Group plans events to benefit Okla. storm victims
You've Been Tagged is a non-profit organization located here in Weatherford. The group is planning three local events over the next three weeks to support the victims of the storms in Oklahoma. All proceeds from these events will go to those in need.

May 24, 2013
VFW to honor Patriot Guard
At funerals all over the world, one might occasionally hear the distant hum of a motorcycle prior to the procession.

May 24, 2013 1 Photo 1 Link
Forgotten storm victims
CRESSON – Needed help has been slow to arrive for one of the Parker County neighborhoods hardest hit by the tornado-producing storm last week.

May 24, 2013
Work progressing swimmingly on new water park
HUDSON OAKS — Work continues fast and furious on the Splash Kingdom Wild West WaterPark here, scheduled for completion later this spring.

May 24, 2013 1 Photo
Free outdoor stockmanship clinic Wednesday
A free outdoor stockmanship clinic focusing on increasing ranch profitability through reduced stress and improved cattle performance is Wednesday, May 29, at the Wagley Ranch, near Graford, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

May 24, 2013
VALS & SALS: Brock's Wallace, Drillette top 2013 class
The Weatherford Democrat is profiling the valedictorians and salutatorians at area high schools. Today's feature is on Brock High School and its top two 2013 graduates Taylor Wallace and Abbey Drillete.

May 24, 2013 1 Photo
AP: Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation's leading youth organization.

May 23, 2013
Shelter From a Storm
With the recent tornado outbreak in Texas and Oklahoma, many people are looking into areas that can keep their families safe in the event of a storm.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo 1 Story 2 Links
TORNADO DRILL: Schools monitor weather, practice safety
Monday’s killer tornado in Moore, Okla., showed that reliable shelter above ground is hard to come by when Mother Nature’s biggest and most powerful cyclone sweeps across the ground. That includes school buildings.

May 23, 2013 1 Story
Weatherford, ESD No. 3 consolidation proposed
Weatherford and Hudson Oaks area fire officials are exploring the possibility of combining resources to provide fire service to the area.

May 23, 2013
More Front Page Headlines