New Breckenridge sign installed on city’s west side

New Breckenridge sign installed on city’s west side News Staff Tue, 07/02/2024 - 4:20 pm A collaborative effort involving the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council, Texas State Technical College and local donors led to the installation of a new Breckenridge sign outside of the Breckenridge Country Club golf course. Photo/Mike Williams By Mike Williams news@breckenridgeamerican.com The first of four planned city of Breckenridge signs was completed last week with the help of the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council, Texas State Technical College and local donors. The sign was completed Tuesday, June 25 at the Breckenridge Country Club, located at 4111 W. Walker St. BDDC Chairman J.B. Sparks said three other locations are planned around the city when funds are raised.  The BDDC wants to add similar signs at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 180 East and Hwy. 67 as well as smaller signs north and south of the city near the Breckenridge ISD bus barn and the water plant. Made up of 13 members, the BDDC is an advisory committee of the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation. The project started in 2022 when local designer Katherine Parker Post, Spark and TSTC Welding Technology instructor Stephen Hope met and worked to create the design and renderings. Two years later the finished product was put together by TSTC welding students. Inviting visitors to stop and take a photo with the sign, there is an opening to a concrete foundation that will be lighted. Sparks said the finishing touch to the project will be Oncor completing the process of turning on the electricity to the sign. Stone pillars hold up each side of the sign with a cut-out of the Breckenridge Buckaroos logo. The city name arches over the Buckaroos logo with the words above stating “Home of the Buckaroos.” At the top of the sign is a small pump jack. Sparks said the idea for a sign came from what he and other BDDC members saw when traveling to and from other cities. “Myself and a lot of our members visit other cities like Granbury and Stephenville often,” Sparks said. “A lot of these towns have signs that show off the identity of their city. I thought this was something we could do to help show off the growth and the changes happening in Breckenridge. There have been a lot of things going on over the past couple of years.” Sparks said he hopes the sign can be a beacon of hope for the city to show community members both in Breckenridge and Stephens County what can happen when it works together. Funds were donated by the County, Rotary Club of Breckenridge and other community members. Local contractor Johnny Wade donated labor for the electrical work and the city of Breckenridge assisted with getting a 9-1-1 address assigned for the location. “Everybody got to be a part of a finished project that could’ve just been left on a piece of paper,’ Sparks said. “Working together is the focus of this. …It’s not about the downtown development council, it’s not about the EDC. …It can be so much better when we work together. I knew at the end that this could be a unique thing. Wait until we get it all done. Then it’s going to be (a source of) pride for Breckenridge.” News