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Chamber party to celebrate Home of Hereford

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By Kathy Thomson

The Albany Chamber of Commerce’s bi-annual party at the Aztec Theater at 7:00 p.m. next Friday, Aug. 23 will feature both a look backwards into local history and will also honor three people who are helping Albany shine brightly toward the future.

The “Home of the Here-ford” sign celebration and recognition party is for all Chamber members and prospective members, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

“Watch for your invitation, or come join us at the party,” said Jones. “There’s not a football game that Friday, so bring your instrument or voice and join in the fun, the food, the fellowship, and the music.”

Heavy hors d’oeuvers and water will be served, the “Home of the Hereford” sign will be honored, and three “Lights of Albany” will be named.

Attendees should RVSP by calling Jones at 325-762-2525 by Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Lights of Albany

Three people will be honored as “Lights of Albany” at the party.

“We want to recognize those that go above and beyond to keep Albany the special place it is,” said Jones. “And we need your input!”

Members of the public are asked to submit nominations for people who should be considered as a Light of Albany.

“Call, text, or message me and let me know who you think needs to be recognized and why,” said Jones. 

Nominations need to be submitted to Jones by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 so the board has time to select three top candidates. The winners will be revealed at the party. 

Home of the Hereford

Jones researched the “Home of the Hereford” sign and shared her findings.

“Years ago when asked ‘Where is Albany, Texas?’ someone might say, ‘It’s 130 miles west of Fort Worth, or 40 miles east of Abilene’,” said Jones. “Now days we are more known for The Fort Griffin Fandangle or as Blake Shelton referred, for hunting.”

Jones added that there was a time when Dick McCarty of The Albany News wanted the town to be known as “The Home of the Hen, the Sow and the Cow.”

“Luckily for us, that did not stick!” Jones said. “Later he coined us as ‘The Home of the Hereford’.”

The newspaper publisher also wanted the area carved into family farms.

“McCarty wanted a family on every 40 acres,” said Jones. “However, we are in the center of 30 square miles of some of the best ranching country in the state of Texas, and ranch owners in Shackelford County were not very suited to that idea. But some 2,000 souls did come settle and make our little town.”

According to Jones, Albany has some of the best traits of urban and rural life.

“Albany has grown with all the conveniences found in larger cities, but we still are fiercely proud of our past,” she said, “and through little things like the Home of the Hereford sign, we intend to stay that way.”

The First Signs

The original Home of the Hereford sign was across the top of the old bridge. That sign had to be removed when the new concrete structure was built two years after the flood of 1940.  

“The width of the new bridge was such that the old sign could not be used overhead,” Jones said. “So for a while, the only marker that advertised you were approaching Albany was the State Highway 180 sign, and that was only two feet tall. After much thought, planning, and generosity of Albany citizens, firms, and cattlemen, a new, more modern and attractive sign was placed and still stands today.”

White lettering on a dark red oval base reads “Albany, Home of the Hereford.” 

“The sign rests majestically on a 15-foot breakaway base,” said Jones. “Its lights shine, and it welcomes all visitors to Albany or reflects their goodbyes. It remembers when our principal industry was ranching with many award-winning registered Here-ford cattle.”

The 1942 sign was paid for by the Shackelford County Hereford Breeders Association, but they were not alone in the endeavor.

“Sixteen firms and individuals, through their kind help and generosity, made this illuminated display of Albany’s pride happen,” said Jones.

W.G. Webb was extremely loyal to Albany, and he gave his time and thought in unlimited quantity, according to Jones.

“Webb secured a gift from Humble Oil and Refining Company of the forms from which the sign was built,” Jones said. “Through his support, as well as their supervision, the sign was built, painted, wired, and the project completed.”

Several others also worked on the sign, most or perhaps all of them donating their time and materials.

“Cecil Dye and F.A. Hudson welded the framework, West Texas Utilities Company furnished the sign post and the work necessary toward wiring for lights, and the city’s water superintendent, Roy Matthews, did the excavating and furnished the pipe for conduits under the highway,” said Jones. “Roe-ser and Pendleton, Inc., through G.P. Crutchfield, furnished a truck and four men to position the sign on its base, Byrne Mitchell furnished the forms and did the concrete work for the base, and Rockwell Bros. & Co. provided the cement and sand. H.S. Hooker did all the hauling, and Joe A. Kendrick painted the sign.”

Eual Lieb, Stephen Hardware, and Jim George rounded out the principal contributors. 

More Recent Activity

The sign has not exactly remained unscathed the whole time, according to Jones.

“In 1988, the Texas Department of Transportation discussed moving it to a new location during the repavement of Highway 180,” Jones said. “The sign was to have a new home at Spudder Park.”

Mayor Wayne Hogan received the brunt of the protests.  

Hogan told The Abilene Reporter News, “My phone began ringing and rang for two to three weeks.”

The Abilene Reporter News wrote that on Aug. 11, 1988 TxDOT met with approximately 20 concerned citizens at a special meeting on the Shackelford Courthouse lawn.

The citizens did not want the sign moved.

“Despite its current appearance, it still holds a special place in our townfolks’ heart,” the Albany citizens reportedly said.

They also informed TxDOT officials that the sign had been in existence (referring both to the one over the road and the current one), for anywhere from 60 to 71 years.  

The Abilene paper added that Hogan told state officials, “The majority of the people want it left where it is.” 

The Albany contingent persuaded TxDOT to leave the sign where it was.

“The sign was repainted during the highway repavement project, but went right back up to welcome visitors as they come into Albany and to wish them well as they leave,” Jones said. “The sign has been knocked down, repainted, and put back up a few times since then. The latest was this year.”

The Chamber offered to have the sign repainted in 2018.

“But it is a chore to take it down and put it up,” said Jones. “So, if you want to call it fate, it was once again knocked down.”

Albany city manager Billy Holson, the city council, and the Chamber worked together to give the sign a face lift. 

“Now, once more, this majestic sign illuminates a welcome to everyone that passes through,” said Jones. “Our pride, our history, and our traditions are what keep Albany alive. We love for people to come and hear the story of our town.”

The Home of the Hereford sign is a prime example of the unique history of Albany.

“We are special, and we love to tell everyone,” Jones said. 

The Chamber manager said that Albany is a place where people can hear the “whisper of history over the noise of time.”

“Yes, the sign has been knocked down, just as the town has had its ups and downs,” said Jones. “But one thing is for sure, we will always join together and rise again!”

(All of Jones’s information was gathered from archives of  the Albany News and the Abilene Reporter News.)