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Giddings
Post Office Mural
"Cowboys Receiving the Mail"
Photo courtesy of Mike McCann |
Just
east of Hwy 77 and on the northside of Hwy 290 you'll see the tidy
Giddings Post Office. Open 24 hours for your mural-viewing pleasure.
Stop in and see "Cowboys Receiving the Mail" by Otis Dozier
circa 1939.
This is one of the better murals.
Others nearby include Elgin,
Rockdale,
and Smithville. |
Detail
of Giddings PO Mural
"Cowboys Receiving the Mail"
TE Photo |
Forum:
Subject: Otis Dozier
I stumbled across a familiar sight while poking around on [your magazine]
namely, the mural by Otis Dozier in the Giddings, Post Office. I was
born and raised in Giddings and have seen that mural daily the vast
majority of my 57 years here. I cannot recall the date, not even close,
but some time in the 70's or possibly the early 80's on one of my
daily visits to my P.O. Box, I noticed a gentleman on a ladder lightly
dusting off the old mural with a small brush high on the east wall.
I also believe he was securing a loose corner. I was in no hurry and
most curious so I watched awhile then went and checked my mail. I
cannot remember if he was alone or a second person was watching from
below.
A bit later I do remember a gentleman stepping over to me and extending
his hand. He introduced himself as the author of the mural, "just
call me Otis" is what he said, to the best of my knowledge. We spoke
the better part of 45 minutes and he explained he had bid on painting
the mural back when there was a Federal Works program of sorts that
contracted him to do it. He went on to mention he had murals in other
states and was either teaching or had retired from or was considering
retiring from teaching art, of which he had taught in many places
during his career. I remember little to nothing of his physical description,
but for some reason I see him as being a bit thin and had a moustache.
He could have been in his late 60's.
I may be getting this part of my story all confused after all these
years, but I asked why the cowboy theme. He said "it was either chickens
or cowboys and the Post Office liked cowboys"! I've never understood
this but I bet there's a story behind it, assuming I remember the
event correctly.
He also went on to explain he visited his Texas murals as often as
he could to simply check their condition and make minor repairs if
needed and since he happened through this area occasionally and the
Post Office was right on the highway, it was no bother.Sorry for the
somewhat vague and rambling account of a brief visit with a stranger.
For some reason this event has stuck in my mind all these years.
Oddly enough, I think I answered my own question regarding the choice
of "chickens or cowboys" as the theme. I did a Google search of Mr.
Dozier after I emailed you and followed a number of links. One was
an interview, I believe in 1965, which the mural was mentioned in
detail. And you are correct, a regional industry was a popular theme,
however, when Mr. Dozier turned in a drawing of processing chickens
for approval, the Post Office wasn't impressed by such a bloody industry
and substituted a cowboy theme. Probably a wise choice since it wouldn't
be accepted today, more than likely!
Thanks again for the reply and sharing that mural with others. It
was only this morning while waiting at the window in the Post Office
that I glanced up for the thousandth time at that old mural. Mr. Dozier
did indeed sound like a unique individual and it is so odd that after
all these years, in a matter of a few hours, I have one less mystery
in my life... - Don L. Spivey, Giddings, Texas, March 10, 2007 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
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