Heath Stone is a craftsman with skill and tradition running deep within his veins. A native of Baytown, he lives and works his trade designing and building one of a kind knives for collectors and outdoorsman.
Heath’s family is rooted in Linden history. His mother – Brenda Chamblee Stone and father – Roy Stone were raised in Linden. Brenda graduated from Linden-Kildare High in 1965 and Roy in 1964. In his youth, Heath spent much of his time in his parents’ hometown.
Desiring to assist historical work being conducted by the Linden Heritage Foundation, Heath donated a customized knife, with case, for Foundation fundraising.
Readily recognized as engraved on the knife handle and case is the Iconic 1934 Linden Water Tower
A member of the Linden Heritage Foundation has made a generous donation for the knife and placed ownership back to the Foundation on condition the knife be placed into the silent auction to be held as part of the fundraising for the T-Bone Walker Day at Music City Texas, Saturday, October 20th.
The Linden Heritage Foundation, Linden Main Street, Pleasant Hill Quilting Group, and Linden Macedonia Church were well represented on August 8 and 9 at the recent Preservation Texas Summer Summit in Nacogdoches. Founded in 1985, Preservation Texas is Texas’ principal member-supported advocate for historic resources in Texas.
Linden resident Sue Lazara is currently secretary of the state organization. Other participants were JoAnna Duncan, Judy Simons Gunn, Allie Anderson, Flo Stevenson, Ether Blaylock, Bennie Rodgers, Suzanne Richey Morehead, and Sandra Westbrook Skoog. The event brought people from as far as Brownsville and San Angelo for three days of historic preservation education and touring of special historic sites in East Texas.
Back row L-R: Flo Stevenson, Sue Lazara, Ether Blaylock, Sandra Westbrook Skoog – Front row L-R: JoAnna Duncan, Judy Simons Gunn, Allie Anderson
Day 1 a tour of historic sites included the Halfway Inn in Chireno; in San Augustine – 1885 William Lewis Railroad Hotel: 1927 San Augustine County Court House; 1919 Jail; 1930’s Knight Parker Building, and 1839 Matthew Cartwright House; in Center the 1885 Shelby County Court House, and “Big Momma’s Dogtrot,” a restored early 1920’s farm house in Arcadia.
Preservation Education was the focus of Day 2 with many speakers presenting topics such as Preservation Planning, National Register of Historic Places, National Trust’s HOPE Crew, and grant funding for local projects. Presentations also included Most Endangered Building Case Studies, including Endangered School Houses of Texas. The day ended with a networking reception in the 1859 Old Nacogdoches University Building.
Day 3 consisted of a walking tour of the Zion Historic District, including the historic Oak Grove Cemetery and two African American local heritage restoration projects in Nacogdoches — Zion Hill Baptist Church and the Clay House.
Each year, Preservation Texas announces the Most Endangered Places list that includes a range of historic structures that merit the attention of Texas statewide. At the local level, grassroots organizations (such as the Linden Heritage Foundation) are working to save specific resources that, if lost, would diminish their communities. Preservation Texas believes that the protection of at-risk historic places, large and small, ensures that architectural, historic, and cultural landmarks endure amidst an ever-changing landscape, enriching our quality of life. The historic 1939 Linden Fire House was named the Most Endangered List in 2016.
For more information, please reference the Linden Heritage Foundation and Preservation Texas Facebook page or their websites: lindenheritage.org and preservationtexas.org.
Give Linden a gift that gives back! Summer will soon be coming to an end, then autumn will be upon us, and we all know what comes after that! While others are having an end-of-summer sale, we’re offering you “a gift for giving”.
1934 Linden Historic Water TowerCover of Don Henley’s Album “Cass County”
With just a $20 minimum donation to Linden Heritage Foundation, you can receive one of these beautiful ornaments that replicates the landmark 1934 water tower that stands in Linden today and is seen on the cover of Don Henley’s “Cass County” album.
To get ahead on your holiday shopping, make your donation at lindenheritage.org
Be sure to fill in your name and mailing address so you can receive your “gift” with free shipping included.
All donations go directly to Linden Heritage Foundation and are tax deductible. Don’t delay!
On behalf of the Linden Heritage Foundation, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of our recent event, “Downtown Linden Live – Music on Main Street.” To have over 100 people of all ages show up in July heat is amazing!
Photo Courtesy of Ben Woods – Cass County Sun
The response to our third event exemplifies the spirit of optimism that is in the air and that the citizens and friends of Linden support opportunities to gather in our beautiful, historic downtown, socialize, and listen to live music.
Jana Clinkscales Bounds & Dick Haynes dance the “Texas Two Step”
Judging by the popularity of “Downtown Linden Live,” we plan to host more events in the future, so check our Facebook page or website, www.lindenheritagefoundation.org for news.
Dancing in the street! Photo Courtesy of Ben Woods – Cass County Sun
Better yet, join us in our mission to preserve the architecture and cultural heritage of Linden by becoming a member (info on website) and joining one of our committees. We take our charge very seriously, but we also have fun! Since its inception, our group has secured a place for the 1939 Firehouse on Preservation Texas’ 2016 List of Most Endangered Places and obtained competitive grant funding from Texas’ prestigious Preservation Trust Fund toward professional planning work on the Firehouse restoration. We have much work ahead of us, and we need your help.
Many thanks to the following individuals who donated time and talents for our event: Johnny and Janet Points, Phil Cox, and friends for sharing their musical gifts; Bob Swisher, city manager, for logistical support, and Ben Wood of The Cass County Sun for publicity and photos.
Several individuals performed special songs with the band including Jerry Arnold, Cathy Cox, Jim Barron, Brett Peek and John Knapp. Johnny played in Mickey Gilley’s band at Gilley’s in Pasadena before it burned. Later he played with Loretta Lynn. Johnny and Janet play with another group of musicians on Tuesday night at Don Juan’s Mexican Restaurant in Hughes Springs from 6:00 to 8:00. They accept no pay for this but have blue donation buckets around and all donations go to St Jude’s Hospital for which the band as raised over $40,000.00.
Photo Courtesy of Ben Woods – Cass County Sun
The band includes – Johnny Points – keyboard and vocals -Janet Points – vocals – Phil Cox – lead guitar – Donnie Lowry – drums – Randee Turner – bass guitar – Scott Venable – rhythm guitar – Janice Turner and Vickie Carver – vocals..
Again, please consider becoming a member of the Linden Heritage Foundation—we need you! A quote from William Murtagh, first keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, best sums up our mission:
“It has been said that, at its best, preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future.” God bless and here’s to the future of Linden!
Linden Ice House “Before” and “After” Chad Buice’s work.
Additional artwork was recently added to the old Linden Ice House and Sweet Shop at the corner of Houston and Smithland. Recall an earlier posted article on this website –“Linden’s Ice Co. and Sweet Shop: Frozen in Time”– for a full history of the building. Chad Buice—a schoolteacher, artist, and musician living near Atlanta, Georgia—has recently returned to Linden to complete his work. Photos follow.
Chad Buice and recently added mural work to Linden Sweet Shop facadeSue Morris Lazara, owner of the Linden Ice House building, with sister, Becky, memorialized in the entry.
