AREA ATTRACTIONS - Visit all of the gems of Caldwell

AREA ATTRACTIONS

LOCAL TREASURES Must see sites in Caldwell

VISITORS WILL WANT TO CZECH OUT ALL OF THESE CALDWELL GEMS

Davidson Creek Park boasts activities for the entire family, even duck families.

A Little Free Library will be installed in the nine public parks in Caldwell, including Davidson Creek Park, San-

ta Fe Park, Freeman Park, KC Field, Shaw Street Park, Molly Street Park, Noack Field Park, 7th Street (Duff

Street) Park, and Woodson Park. The city of Caldwell will now be joining those who have placed over 100,000 Little Free Libraries that are in more than 100 countries, sharing 42 million books annually, as part of Little Free Library.org.

Davidson Creek Park is a green space filled with activities for the entire family. It is open to the public and maintained by the City of Caldwell. Visitors of the park can enjoy a variety of ammenities and activities including: fishing ponds, horseshoe pits, washer pits, soccer fields, baseball fields, batting cages, covered basketball court, covered pavilions, picnic tables and charlcoal grills, shaded seating, walking and jogging trails, playground areas, and a 9-hole disc golf course. Davidson Creek Park is located off of Highway 36 at South Wright Street in Caldwell and online at www.caldwelltx.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation.

In an effort to bring books and the gift of literacy outside the doors of the Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library and to reach further into the community, the city of Caldwell is working with local nonprofits and businesses to establish 11 Little Free Libraries in Caldwell’s nine public parks, as well as at the Civic/Visitors Center and Caldwell’s public library.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led little libraries by encouraging participants to place book-exchange boxes within their community.

“In a large city, patrons will be served by library branches which are strategically placed to reach citizens that live in out-lying areas,” added Heidi Frazier, community development program coordinator. “In effect, these take-one/leave-one boxes, erected in each of our parks, will serve as our city’s library branches.”

“This exhibit is simply the beginning of this large project. Our next step is not only to install these libraries, but to offer free programs to the public with each ribbon cutting, to be held in the next few months,” said Frazier. Although there is no cost to attend the art exhibit, visitors are encouraged to donate any new or used book to be placed in the Little Free Library of their choice.

The Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library is located at 704 TX-21 and online at www.caldwelltx.gov/departments/library. CALDWELL, TEXAS | 6

AREA ATTRACTIONS

For over 35 years, Dr. Joe Carlyle Smith’s sculptures have been an attraction that’s hard to miss when one is driving along TX 21 in Caldwell. The eye-catching art pieces stand out, encouraging one to stop and explore the unique, imaginative creations.

One of the most notable pieces is of a man’s head on a goose’s body standing on one leg called Impossible Dream. Other works by Smith can be seen in Caldwell at the McDonald’s restaurant; the Civic Center, 103 TX 21; and at the Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library, which once housed Dr. Smith’s medical office, at 704 TX 21.

“We have a sign up that says JLyle Medical Clinic and Gallery, located at 501 N. Stone,” added J. Griffis Smith, son of the late Dr. Joe Carlyle Smith. “My Dad came up with JLyle as his artist name so when he put art up at his clinic the patients would not know he did them and he liked hearing their true opinions. Tours available by appointment. Leave a message at 512-294-4997. Half of the house is a clinic and the other half is a gallery or museum of his paintings, photography, and sculptures.”

In 2013, a concerted effort was made to build the farmers market on the square in downtown Caldwell in support of the Main Street project growth. Originally called the Caldwell Texas Farmers Market, the name was changed in 2018 to Burleson County Farmers’ Market.

The market is open from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday, year-round, rain or shine. The Burleson County Farmers’ Market usually has three to 20 vendors from Burleson County, as well as adjacent counties. When garden production is at its peak during the summer, farmers meet at the pavilion on Buck Street on Wednesday evenings to provide produce to the public in the shade.

Nichole Hejl hosts a truck market in Snook at County Road 269 and Farm to Market 2155 Spur next to the Watering Hole (the old grocery store) typically from May through July on Wednesday evenings.

Joe Hairston has a truck market at the corner of Farm to Market 908 and Highway 21 during the spring, summer, and fall.

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Visitors enjoy viewing Dr. Joe Carlyle Smith’s sculpture named Impossible Dream.

Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library is a progressive library that serves the entire county.

Displayed are the recently refurbished newspaper racks that serve as Little Lbraries throughout Caldwell.

Burleson County Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday, year-round, rain or shine.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Additional information on farmer sale locations in the county may be found on the Caldwell Texas Farmers’ Market Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Caldwell-Texas-Farmers-Market-362362477223656).

Sign up for the Burleson County Farmers’ Market is available at the Burleson County Ag Extension office in the courthouse during weekday office hours. Vendors may obtain a form with rules at 100 West Buck Street, Suite 105, in Caldwell. Vendors are encouraged to read Texas Cottage Food Laws also as these are the governing rules for farmers markets across the state. The Burleson County Farmers’ Market supports local growers in Burleson County and adjacent county growers. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Copperas Hollow Country Club provides golfers of all skill levels a challenge with every hole. This nine-hole layout has tricky dog legs, towering pine trees and knee buckling Par 5’s to test the nerves of the most seasoned golfer.

With a clubhouse that boasts a large banquet room to host your next event, a swimming pool available to members for those long summer days and a driving range to perfect your skills, Copperas Hollow has something for everyone.

Copperas Hollow Country Club is located at 995 Country Club Drive and online at www.copperashollowgolf.com.

The congregation of the First United Methodist Church, organized in 1840, is one of the oldest in Texas. It was one of 12 appointments on the Nashville Circuit, Galveston District, Republic of Texas. Samuel A. Williams was the presiding elder, and Robert Crawford was the Circuit rider. When Caldwell was designated as the new county seat of Milam County in 1841, the commissioners named to select the site donated “certain lots … for the purpose religious worship.” Accordingly, on September 18, 1841, Elder Williams appointed trustees to receive title to the property for the Methodist Episcopal Church.

First United Methodist Church is located at 306 West Fox Street. Worship is on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Copperas Hollow Country Club’s nine-hole course provides golfers of all skill levels a challenge with every hole.

First United Methodist Church as it stands today. The church is one of the oldest Methodist churches in Texas.

A historical photo of First United Methodist Church in Caldwell, reportedly taken in 1854. Photo courtesy Laura Kellough.