Reporter-News Archives

Tuesday, February 17, 1998

Abilene State Park undergoing renovation

By KEN ELLSWORTH Senior Staff Writer

BUFFALO GAP - The unique sandstone structures at Abilene State Park, including those at the park's swimming pool, are undergoing a face lift.

The buildings have gone virtually untouched since they were designed by Abilene architect David Castle, then erected by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in 1934.

"The way those guys worked this rock back then was unreal," said Mickey Clayton of Austin. "This is one of the nicest rock buildings that we have in the entire (state park) system."

Clayton is a construction foreman and construction engineer for the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. He is supervising the $62,000 renovation project at the Abilene State Park.

"What makes this place different is that it is one of the best examples of fitting the buildings with the natural locale," said Okie Okerstrom, the park's manager.

Clayton's main concern is authenticity. He wants the current effort to match the work and duplicate the materials used in 1934.

"You've got to do your research and do your documentation. Then you've got to use the old tools to make them (replacement stones) fit right. You want them to look just like they were born on these walls," Clayton added as he looked at the walls, columns, and arches surrounding the pool.

Fortunately, Clayton did not have to go far to find replacement sandstone that matches the deep red color of the old stones. The replacement stones are being donated by Dr. R. Lee Rode.

Rode is a rancher, a retired Abilene physician and the founder of Buffalo Gap Historic Village.

"Thank goodness for Dr. Rode," Okerstrom said.

The stones, which have their own history, had been sitting on Rode's ranch southwest of Buffalo Gap.

They had originally been quarried, cut, and erected in 1883 to create Taylor County's oldest institution of higher learning, Buffalo Gap High School, which soon became Buffalo Gap Presbyterian College.

The college, which was a single, two-story structure, was attended at its peak by 300-400 students but was closed in 1896. Part of the stones from the old college are also incorporated into the present day Buffalo Gap Elementary School.

The sandstone in the park and the sandstone of the old college are identical in appearance and are thought to have been taken from the same quarry in the hills a few miles north of the park.

Some of the sandstone is also being used to restore original picnic tables and benches.

Workers on the project include several masons and carpenters from the parks department and also work crews from the French Robertson Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The masons fit the stones precisely using hammers and chisels.

"The members of the crew work very hard, and we are proud to have them at the park," Okerstrom said, noting that many of the prisoners possess construction skills.

Other prisoners are working on landscaping and brush clearing projects at the park. The old wood and stone water tower that stands near the swimming pool is also a part of the restoration effort.

Okerstrom said that work is expected to be completed by the end of March and officially will be showcased during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 12, the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Texas State Park system.