AREA ATTRACTIONS
LOCAL TREASURES
Must see sites in Moulton VISITORS WILL WANT TO EXPERIENCE ALL OF THESE MOULTON GEMS Texas saddlemaker and leather artist Don Gonzales runs Don Gonzales Saddlery with his wife, Claudia. Although Gonzales has a strong passion and a long history of building custom saddles, today it is the teaching of his craft that motivates him most in his work. “Five or six years ago, we started a YouTube account and kind of threw a few videos up there,” added Gonzales. “They got a few views and we had fun making the videos. Then we started offering a few patterns on our website and selling the digital file of the artwork, because learning to draw is the hardest part. I can teach anybody to do the leatherwork part but learning to actually do the artwork, that takes a lifetime to learn. Ha, I’m still learning! Recently, we’ve expanded to offering actual material packs and people can tie it in with a workshop video, making their own belt, wallet, purse or whatever. We have lots of patterns for different items.” Don Gonzales Saddlery is located at 110 South Main and online at www.dgsaddlery.com. Listeners can also follow his podcast, Lost Trade with Don Gonzales, on Spotify or his website. The Veteran’s Memorial was donated to the City of Moulton by VFW Post 6971 and the Ladies Auxiliary. Landscaping for the Veteran’s Memorial was donated by the Keep Moulton Beautiful organization. It is located at 102 Veterans Drive.
Don Gonzales trims a leather belt in his workshop in downtown Moulton. Photo by Emily Henderson.
A historical marker located at the downtown gazebo recognizes Adolph Hofner (1916-2000) for his role as a pioneer of western swing music. He was the first to record the classic Cotton-Eyed Joe in 1941. Sam and Will Moore Institute’s name honors brothers who gave site and half costs of building; the community matched their donation. The architect was H. Struve and the building contractors were Joel Meyer & Co. The Order of Sons of Hermann laid cornerstone July 31, 1901, in a gala celebration including a parade, band concert, barbecue, ball, and orations in English, German, and Czechoslovakian. The North wing was added in 1923. After laying the cornerstone on July 31, 1901, a great party ensued. The City Band and the Lone Star Band opened the
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