SCENES FROM EARLY-DAY DOWNTOWN ROCKDALE

NEW LIFE FOR PRESENT-DAY DOWNTOWN ROCKDALE

As you walk the downtown streets of Rockdale in 2010, evidence of storefront restoration and a vibrant downtown business environment is evident all about you which shows what a group of determined citizins with vision can do to preserve their town for future generations.

SCENES FROM PRESENT-DAY DOWNTOWN ROCKDALE (courtesy Len Kubiak)

Wolf Park Pavillion across from McVoys





Brazos Trail Informational Sign points out Historic sites in Rockdale and Milam County











Restored Train Depot and McVoy's Feed Store





Mural dipicting Rockdale's Rich History adorns the east side of the "Bit of History" Building, another Beautiful Downtown Renovation





Bit of History Building, Located on the South Side of Cameron Street (US HW 79)





Looking East from the Intersection of Cameron and Main Streets





Cameron Street view (looking South) near the Main Street intersection





Restored Depot and McVoys Feed Store





Another Cameron Street View





In 1961, Dr. George Hill Patterson made a generous donation and the city provided matching funds for Rockdale's Lucy Hill Patterson Library. Later Dr. Patterson provided a generous gift in his will for library expansion. In 1980 the library was completely remodeled, tripling in size with a second story.

The library offers a variety of programs and services for patrons of all ages and plays a major role in the Annual Tejas Art and Book Festival.





Intersection of Cameron and Main looking East





Main Street looking south



Intersection of Cameron and Main looking South (east side of Main)





Main Street looking North





Northeast corner, Intersection of Main and Cameron





West Side of Main Street Looking North





Main Street looing South, West side of Street







Bit of History Building with Restored Depot Visible in Background




The Kay Theater Foundation members restored the old Kay Theater starting in 2003. This theatre was originally built in a Quonset hut frame in 1947 and operated as a movie house until the 1960’s. The restored Kay Theatre is used as a performing arts center for the Rockdale area.

MORE ROCKDALE HISTORY

See Len Kubiak's history of Rockdale website for more photos and detailed history of our little town. More Rockdale Texas History