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Mineral Wells Rotarians on Wednesday heard of a good sign to come. The historic Crazy Water sign that once spanned Hubbard Street is nearing a return, thanks to the efforts of Leadership Mineral Wells Class 24 and a couple of recent major donations.
Rotarian and class member Cory Crenshaw led an update on the project that he said is now close enough to its funding goal that he is almost ready to place a deposit for the making of the sign and its supports.
The replicated, two-sided sign is planned to go across West Hubbard Street just west of U.S. Highway 281. While the west side of the sign will not be visible to passing westbound traffic, it will be seen by pedestrians downtown – especially once the proposed downtown park is created – and give people a chance to photograph it with the Baker Hotel in the background.
A complicated and expensive project, the class – which graduated almost two years ago but has persisted in seeing its sign project through to conclusion – has conducted a number of fundraisers to raise the monies and has an upcoming golf tournament. There are still several ways to donate and support the project. For instance, the group is selling engraved bricks and pavers and other items.
Two financial donations helped move the project forward quickly. The Bill and Lorenda Raffaele family donated $5,000. Tony Raffaele, while not a part of the leadership class, has also been actively engaged in helping the project, Crenshaw said.
The sign project then received a major boost when the Horne family, upon recently selling the Baker Hotel to the redevelopment team, made a $50,000 pledge toward the Crazy Water sign.
Crenshaw said TxDOT is supportive and has approved the project. The sign will provide vertical clearance of about 20 feet, he said. Also the support structure will be erected outside TxDOT's right-of-way.
He said the group is considering two designs for the double-sided cabinet-style sign that are not far apart in costs, but one includes illumination. Crenshaw said he expects class members will soon meet to select which design and manufacturer to go with. The sign will be made of aluminum – not expensive porcelain like the original one – mounted on a steel frame.
Once the order is placed, Crenshaw said it would take about 90 days to make and install it.
Unfortunately, no one has been able to find any remnants of the original sign. The new sign will be made to replicate exactly the original.
To find out more information or make a tax-deductible donation to help Leadership Mineral Wells Class 24 reach its final fundraising goal, contact the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce at 940-325-2557, and follow the project's progress on Facebook.
Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets at noon every Wednesday at Palo Pinto General Hospital for lunch, networking, updates on club news and events and a program of interest. Meetings are for club members, invited guests and prospective members. For information on becoming a member, tour the club's website at mineralwellsrotary.org or seek out a Rotarian.