Denton Civic Center
In 1966, the contract for the new Community Building in the Denton Civic Center Complex was awarded to Cain & Cain, Inc. of Fort Worth, for $416,284 and foundation work began in August of that year.
The circular building was designed by architect, O'Neil Ford. About this particular style, he said, "our circular building idea was the best one we ever had... They made a bicycle wheel steel spoke style and made a circular room because people gather around; people dance in a circle... And it's the cheapest way to build because you can enclose more space in a circle...a certain amount of wall, than any other shape." (1)
The carved front doors were made by Lynn Ford. Globe-shaped pottery lamps hang outside under the pergola, while flush-mounted pendant lamps adorn the outside walls. All are made by Beaumont Mood, including urn-shaped pendant lamps inside.
Formal dedication ceremonies took place on November 18, 1967.
Notes
- Interview with O'Neil Ford, 1976., Institute of Texas Cultures Oral History Collection, OHT 721.9 F 711, UTSA Special Collections. p.16-17
- "DEDICATION, OPEN HOUSE. Weekend's Events Centered on Community Building." DRC 11/14/1967, p1A.
The following are excerpts from letters from O'Neil Ford to staff which can be found in the Denton Municipal Archives | Denton Public Library Records | 2019.010 Box 1, Folder 1-3.
To Mayor Warren Whitson, March 11, 1964:
"The most prevalent problem in passing such a bond issue seems to arise from the groups or individuals who do not quite understand that Denton changing fast, and also, that the use of Civic facilities such as you plan do their own generating of activities. It is rather difficult to explain that what one doesn't have is not missed and considerable imagination is required to visualize the great importance of a gathering place, a center, and a thing of beauty right downtown."
