Being an “old school” writer, I keep a dictionary on my desk to help with spelling, or to define the meaning of unfamiliar words. Somewhere in a box is my Webster’s paperback edition from college that divided itself into multiple sections from wear and tear. My present Webster’s was gifted to my daughter upon her high school graduation in 1989. I could Google, or do Internet searches to help me write, but again, I am of the old school. I like to hold a dictionary in my hand, turning the pages as I look at the top for “word prompts” to locate my word. That is how I found a new word for my vocabulary.
The first listing on page 123 was “architectonic” or “architectonics.” Words with Latin and Greek origins meaning “of or relating to, or having qualities to, architectural structure or design,” or “structural design (as in a musical work)”, or “the scientific systematization of knowledge.” How about “the design or system perceived by humans,” example, applying human perceptions to space, i.e. “the architecture of the solar system.” I am not sure how I will fit that word into my story, but here goes!
We all know what “architecture” is: the art and science of structural design. Worldwide, the planning and construction of structures takes many forms, from monumental to functional; from historic to typical; from significant to commonplace; dwellings are a part of every culture – from igloos, Egyptian pyramids, palaces, Greek temples, plantation homes, dugouts, and high-rise towers. Traveling the Lakes Trail Region through the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we can admire skyscrapers, stately homes, massive shopping or entertainment complexes, while marveling at the new and “futuristic” versions of how and where people live, work and play.
Being a historian with a need to look for new ways to interrupt the past finds me looking at architecture of Texas in a new way, perhaps with my own sense of Texas “architectonics.” Let’s begin in the Plains Trail Region, my own back yard, to see architecture of the plains. Our major cities of Amarillo, Lubbock, and Big Spring each have historic residential districts, downtowns with stately business towers, and college and university campuses with wonderful buildings to admire. Amarillo has several amazing new office and condo buildings downtown. Lubbock’s Metro Tower, once called the Great Plains Life Building, withstood a direct hit by a tornado in 1970, and is now being made into condos. The Plains Trail’s true pride and joy is Big Spring’s Settles Hotel. The fabulous multi-million dollar renovation transformed downtown Big Spring!
But…how about the massive grain elevator in Plainview? When traveling northbound on Interstate 27, the path seems to be heading straight into the massive structure, but the highway curves to give you an up-close look at the concrete storage building. This utilitarian agricultural structure is replicated, in all sizes, all across our region. Many are abandoned. I wonder if they could become “condos”?
Let’s skip across the state to the Forest Trail Region to one of my favorite places, The Caddo Mounds State Park. Here, ancient people fashioned massive mounds of dirt for ceremonial purposes. Their homes and meeting spaces were half circle structures made of branches and mud. Warm and cozy, the huts were wonderfully designed and have a proper fit within the forest environment. Native peoples also used animal hides to fashion iconic teepees that were a part of Plains Indian culture. Easily portable and designed to allow for inside campfires with the smoke drafted through the crossed lodge poles at the top, again, made life comfortable.
Other Native Americans of the Mountain Trail Region and Pecos Trail Region, looked to caves and rock ledge overhangs to seek shelter from the elements. At Hueco Tanks State Park near El Paso, and Seminole Canyon State Park near Langtry, the inhabitants used rock walls for their art, perhaps for religious purposes, to draw, paint, or carve images from their daily lives. Tours take us into the environment of the rock shelter people to see how they lived, and to witness their legacies.
Next, let’s look at the Tropical Trail Region and Independence Trail Region coastlines to see another of my favorite dwellings: houses built on stilts to avoid storm surges from the Gulf of Mexico. Houses with legs are so multi-purposed. You have a great shaded-patio underneath and the upper home has a great view. You can sit outside in the rain and park your car from the hot sun. If clothes lines were still in fashion you could string a cord between the posts to dry your laundry. Or, perhaps you could fashion fencing around the edge to provide your pet with a shaded place to play. All this design was meant for one purpose, to keep Gulf waters from getting your things wet. Great idea!
The Hill Country Trail Region has many “Sunday Houses” and dance halls. Erected by immigrants for fun times, many dance halls are still in use and utilize screen wire walls to let the breezes through to keep you cool while you dance. Sunday Houses, simple dwellings, allowed country folks to come to town, like Fredericksburg, for weekend shopping and church going.
The Brazos Trail Region gives us a look at old town charm at Salado where we can visit 40 historic buildings including Salado College and a historic stagecoach stop. Another style found throughout the Brazos, Forest and Hill regions are dog-trot homes: houses build in twin fashion with an open breezeway/porch in the middle. People cooked on one side and lived in the other.
Fort Mason up on the hill in Mason is built in dog-trot style and allows you to walk around and through to see the view. Speaking of forts, the Forts Trail Region with its nine military post complexes is a wonderful example of how the military made use of local products, wood and rocks, to make numerous structures for the soldiers and their animals, even chapels. Fort McKavett, one of my favorites, sits atop a hill and comprised of all whitewashed buildings which makes for a beautiful setting.
How fortunate we are to have the Texas Historical Commission helping to preserve so many historic structures across the state. The Plains Trail has the most recent THC Historic Site, the Goodnight Ranch Home. You can visit Texas landmark structures like Washington-on-the Brazos, or the French Legion; historic homes such as the Verner-Hogg Plantation, Starr Family Home, or the Magoffin House; churches like Mission Dolores or the Presidio la Bahia; businesses such as the Kreische Brewery, Fanthorpe Inn, or Landmark Inn; the Port Isabel Lighthouse, former statesmen or American Presidents homes; or numerous state monuments. Many community structures are also preserved by our dedicated County Historical Commissions. Finding a historic dwelling to visit is easy to locate and preview. Make sure to look around to find other unusual types of Texas “architectonic” on your next road trip!
