Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
History Every Day in Rockdale
Rockdale Reporter - March 21, 2013
More than depot and Kay Theatre Rockdale has made major strides in preserving its historic buildings in the past decade with major projects at the former I&GN Depot and Kay Theatre.
But there’s still a lot of “living history going on with public buildings almost, and over a century old still serving the community almost every day. Here are three:
• The 89-year-old former Henry Garage, now vacant, is virtually unchanged from a 1932 “block party” photo of North Main. Legendary Rockdale businessman and civic leader, E. E. “Buck” Henry was in business there for seven decades.
• Rockdale’s police station was built in 1895 as a city hall and remained one for 107 years. It once contained the town’s auditorium and hosted, among other activities, RHS basketball games.
• The “new” home for RHS basketball in 1936 was a gymnasium that’s still in use today at Rockdale Elementary School. The gym was constructed only 14 years after a new three-story Rockdale High School was built next door.
Rockdale Reporter - March 21, 2013
More than depot and Kay Theatre Rockdale has made major strides in preserving its historic buildings in the past decade with major projects at the former I&GN Depot and Kay Theatre.
But there’s still a lot of “living history going on with public buildings almost, and over a century old still serving the community almost every day. Here are three:
• The 89-year-old former Henry Garage, now vacant, is virtually unchanged from a 1932 “block party” photo of North Main. Legendary Rockdale businessman and civic leader, E. E. “Buck” Henry was in business there for seven decades.
• Rockdale’s police station was built in 1895 as a city hall and remained one for 107 years. It once contained the town’s auditorium and hosted, among other activities, RHS basketball games.
• The “new” home for RHS basketball in 1936 was a gymnasium that’s still in use today at Rockdale Elementary School. The gym was constructed only 14 years after a new three-story Rockdale High School was built next door.
All credit for this article goes to
the
Rockdale Reporter
the
Rockdale Reporter
Former Henry Garage,
Bell at Main, is currently vacant but has been in use many times in recent years. Earlier this month the garage hosted the Tejas Fest plant exchange.
Garage was the cover photo for Dr. Lucile Estell’s photo book on Rockdale last year.
The Henry name is still faintly visible in the brickwork.
Bell at Main, is currently vacant but has been in use many times in recent years. Earlier this month the garage hosted the Tejas Fest plant exchange.
Garage was the cover photo for Dr. Lucile Estell’s photo book on Rockdale last year.
The Henry name is still faintly visible in the brickwork.
This gym, constructed in 1936, has been an athletic facility for the high school, junior-high and elementary over the years. A stunning renovation project in 2011 restored the gym’s old look outside and resulted in several historical artifacts recovered from forgotten rooms high above the building’s stage.
Rockdale’s city hall was built in 1895 and had a high middle tower (photo at right). It served as City Hall until 2002 when it became the city’s police station.
photos less than 70 years old - Mike Brown - Rockale Reporter
