About the Cover

Pastor Rick Mitchell and L’dena Mitchell are the owners of the early 1900’s home on Buffalo Street. They have been residents of Caldwell since 1991, when they came because they knew Rick’s mother needed help. That same year Rick left his church in Woodson, Texas, to relocate here. but it wasn’t long before he was serving as interim at Calvary Baptist Church. Then he was called to a permanent pastorate in 1993. L’dena taught at First Baptist Church, beginning at the end of December of 1991. After that, L’dena took a job at Caldwell High School teaching Home Economics, which is her field. She stayed 23 years at CHS, then retired in 2018. Rick and L’dena have four children, Michael, Kristy, Daniel, and Stephen, all graduates of Caldwell High School. All are married and have given Rick and L’dena 10 precious grandchildren, five girls and five boys. They bring Rick and L’dena much joy.

Their wonderful home at 503 Buffalo was bought by Redmond James Savage in the 1920’s and remodeled in the 1930’s, and the Mitchells uncovered a board during recent renovation with a name written on it along with the date 1924. A hotel had been behind the original house, close to the railroad tracks. Bill and Barbara Savage remodeled the house in the 70’s. And at one point, the structure had been a duplex, with one entrance facing Buffalo Street and one entrance at the back of the house.

When coming to Caldwell, Rick and L’dena rented the house from Byron and Elaine McAllister who’d purchased it. Later they bought it in 1994. It is believed that Dr. Savage, a dentist back in the day, had the home built, along with two others on either side of the Mitchell home. After the hail storm in the spring two years ago, the siding needed total replacement since the blue siding could not be matched. Chance Norman contracted the work, and did an excellent job of coordinating white, grey, and black. L’dena said Chance had poured love into the house, and done an excellent job!

When asked, “Do you use the front porch much?” The answer was “Oh, yes, we do. We are always using the front porch.” Further comment was that it is the place to sit and visit, or relax alone, or maybe drink coffee. There they often watch grandchildren play at “Meme’s Park,” aka First Baptist Church Park which is located across the street. Another use during this time of Covid has been visiting and occasionally counsel. The porch is large and out of hearing of neighbors, so, it is not uncommon for a friend or church member or someone needing to talk to find his/her way to the front porch to do just that, and in the process hopefully to be uplifted

Finding the way to The Front Porch