Arissa Viering | 7/4/2020 | Goodday Mineral Wells | Wishing Well of Mineral Wells
Yesterday evening, the city of Mineral Wells received a lovely surprise from the Leadership Class of ’25: The long-awaited WELCOME sign lit the night sky in red, white, and blue.
For over one year, the Leadership Class of ’25 has put so much hard work into revitalizing the infamous WELCOME sign. Between bake sales, volleyball tournaments, golf tournaments, ornament sales, shirt sales, and community dinners, the group has been busy raising the funds needed to complete all renovations. Revitalizing the WELCOME sign of Mineral Wells took a great deal of work!
Working from the original frame of the sign, the group had to repair and reinforce the metal, repaint the metal, clear brush and trees from atop the mountain around the sign, and test and install the lights. Along the way, some delays were seen including various repair work needed on the cell phone tower adjacent to the sign, but that didn’t stop the team from continuing to pursue their goal.
The history of the WELCOME sign is a beautiful journey:
“The WELCOME sign was donated to the city of Mineral Wells in 1922 by George Holmgren, President of the Texas Rotary Club, in appreciation for the hospitality extended the Rotary Club at its State Convention in Mineral Wells that year.”
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth25067/?fbclid=IwAR1NVIWlwMVLSBsCPkB1tkyDksqVHxWFS5M_RrQzT8ZWDp1Fsrw7x1sDTnw#description-content-main
Built by Holmgren in his San Antonio Iron Works, “he gave the sign to the people of Mineral Wells with the understanding that they would maintain the sign and the many light bulbs required to light it.”
The bulbs were later replaced with lower-maintenance red neon lights by the Mineral Wells Jaycees. In 1972, the sign was moved from the East Mountain to the east side of Bald Mountain by a Warrant Officer Club Company from Fort Wolters.
“It is reported that this sign inspired D.W. Griffith, to promote possibly the most recognizable landmark in the United States, the HOLLYWOOD sign in California, following his visit to Mineral Wells in 1928.”
Once again, the great city of Mineral Wells has added another piece to its history with the gracious help of some amazing people. The Leadership Class of ’25 has done so much amazing work to revitalize the WELCOME sign. The new LED lights change colors, allowing for a variety of designs for future holidays and celebrations.
The Leadership Class of ’25 includes:
- Amy Jones
- Bob Neal
- Brad Bennett
- Brandon Glover
- Brandon Jordan
- Bret Brown
- Brian Nierman
- Joe Erwin
- John Richardson
- Karen Glover
- Kelly Strain
- Kristen Hull
- Lexis Nix
- Machelle Coleman
- Martin Buzbee
- Matt Sudderth
- Monica Riedlinger
- Nikki Elms
- Shelle Crenshaw
- Sheree Patterson
- Stacy Melton
- Taylor Hickey
- Tracy Richards
Way to go, Leadership Class of ’25! We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication! Happy 4th of July, Mineral Wells!
Former Co-Founder | June 2020-Nov 2020 | Graduate of Texas Christian University with a background in medical anthropology, psychology, and creative writing. Passionate about writing novels. Loved the Mineral Wells community and all that it had offered her and her family.
