Centennial Notebook
By Ben Slack
The Bicentennial BandstandIn this period of American life when our nation's 200fh birthday is commemorated by red, white and blue fireplugs and a Cleveland bison name "Centennial'" if seems appropriate to counter such misapplied enthusiasms with a more pertinent community enterprise, something that looks with pride toward the nation's past, and points to the future with hope and confidence. In Palestine our Bicentennial celebration started with a project that symbolizes America's heritage and exemplifies our faith in the future.
In 1974 Chamber of Commerce manager Carroll Pouncey was looking for such an idea, and he recalled that local artist Ancel Nunn had once remarked that Palestine should have some visual identification with its past, such as a bandstand in the town park. So Nunn and Pouncey and local architect Ted Maffitt put the idea into action. The artist and the architect visited several South Texas towns, noting early architecture and discussing ideas, and Carroll Pouncey organized a committee to finance and construct the bandstand.
Ted Maffitt's design, featured in the special Centennial issue of "The Texas Architect" magazine, utilizes eight supports of antique brick spaced with lattice-work, a redwood deck 29 feet in diameter, a railing supported by turned wood newels, turned wood columns supporting a cedar shake roof, with more turned wood newels and gingerbread scroll work under the eaves. The floor, octagonal in shape, is several feet above the sloping ground level. Access is by a railed stairway and the entire structure is surrounded by a cement walk edged with shrubbery.
When the idea of a community bandstand was made public, the architect's floor plan and elevation were displayed at a local bank. Public response was immediate. Pledges of financial support and offers of construction materials deluged the Bandstand committee. More than half the proposed cost was subscribed in the first few days, ten percent of it from the Royall National Bank and the Royall family. Architect Maffitt donated his time and creative services. Artist Nunn drew a sketch of the bandstand, a print of which was given to all subscribers. Contractor Johnny Williams donated his time and much of the labor costs. Through the Mayor of Palestine, Harry Brown, the delicate wooden turnings and scroll work were secured at cost. The Independent Lumber Company of Palestine donated the shake roof and supplied most of the materials at cost and Ancel Nunn gave the antique brick used in the supporting columns. The Palestine Business and Professional Women's Club donated the paint and their labor in painting the bandstand. Palestine Concrete Tile Company contributed cement blocks; Palestine Transit Mix poured the surrounding sidewalk and other cement work, and the Dogwood Garden Club planted the shrubbery. Alcoa cast the dedicatory plaque.
But like most projects, additional expenses crept into the Bandstand budget as refinements were added. The Bandstand committee wrote letters of solicitation, made personal calls, sought funds from individuals and organizations. Every donor's name was .included on scrolls mounted under the eaves of the bandstand. And finally there remained bills outstanding of more than $600. At this point the students of Palestine High School, through their various class organizations, raised enough money to pay the final bills. At a special assembly Student Body Council president Bill Crook presented Bandstand Committee chairman Ben Slack with a check for $650. "We want to be a part of it, too," said Bill Crook, and thus the nation's third centennial begins with a commitment from its youngest generation.
The Glorious FourthPalestine dedicated its Bicentennial Bandstand July 4, 1975, as the nation began its 200th year. It was a celebration from the pages of the past, with fireworks, music by several bands, choral singing, patriotic speeches, and family picnics.
The Herald Press reporter, caught up in the day's excitement, described the crowd in Reagan Park as the largest ever to assemble in Palestine on any occasion, four to five thousand persons. And indeed it was a gala event. The Palestine High School and the Chamber of Commerce Bands set the mood with patriotic airs, the school chorus sang traditional numbers, the VFW, DAV and American Legion presented the colors, Boy Scouts were on hand to help, Judge Wayne Lawrence reminded us of our national heritage, Congressman Charles Wilson made a fiery speech, Representative Fred Head addressed the crowd, local dignitaries were introduced, Mayor Harry Brown accepted the Bandstand on behalf of the City, the Bicentennial Committee and Texas State Historical Society members wore period costumes and sold souvenirs, and later in the afternoon picnic baskets were unpacked and entire families, from great-grandparents to toddlers, enjoyed supper in the park. As twilight fell there was a special event several passes over the grounds by a low-flying airplane, to the delight of the youngsters and the nostalgia of their parents who might have been remembering such an occasion from an earlier Fourth.
The program which was broadcast on KNET, was arranged by Jack Selden who planned something for everyone -- including a fireworks display of set pieces handled by the City Fire Department.
As America celebrates its 200th birthday Monday, July 5th, our City Will again hold a celebration at the Bandstand in the Park, where a 30-foot flagpole has now been erected by the Business and Professional Women's Club.
This year the observance is arranged by the three local veterans organizations, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, under the chairmanship of Lavoy Lasiter. There will be a symbolic construction of our American flag, appropriate music and speeches, and of course, fireworks. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic lunch, and there'll be concessions supplying watermelon, candy, and soft drinks. The 200fh birthday party begins with a parade at 4 p.m.
It is a time when America will look back with affection upon its heritage and look forward with anticipation toward its future. The Bicentennial celebration honors our past, our present, and our future.