Corsicana, Texas

Is anyone reading this blog who grew up in Corsicana, Texas? Did you know that your hometown was named by Jose Antonio Navarro, a famous Texas statesman, who was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence . The county is named for Navarro. When he was asked to name the town, his response was "Call it Corsicana in honor of the island of Corsica, the birthplace of my father." The Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce reveals more interesting tidbits about their famous town. Anyone looking for Corsicana art can see Michelle Rideout's beautiful pencil drawing of the town by clicking on this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/texas/corsicana-tx/. These limited-edition prints make excellent gifts for any occasion. Many people purchase one for each of their children and grandchildren. Anyone who grew up in Corsicana, TX and later moved away will treasure one because it brings a little bit of home back to them.

If you are from Corsicana, TX, you surely know about the town's famous fruit cake. Corsicana is best known for its Corsicana fruit cake, baked by the famous Collin Street Bakery and marketed under the name "Deluxe." The cake is possibly the world´s most famous and is shipped each year to every state in the nation and more than 290 foreign countries. I have visited the Collin Street Bakery several times and enjoyed their delicious cakes.

Corsicana is also famous because oil was first discovered west of the Mississippi River in this Texas town by a drilling firm that was searching for water for the growing town. Thus, Corsicana became the first Texas oil boom town. Corsicana was the site of the first use of crude oil as fuel for locomotives. The state's first oil refinery--known today as Mobil Oil was built in Corsicana. The Texas Company, Texaco also traces its origin to Corsicana. Russell Stover Candy Company built its largest plant in Corsicana. Russell Stover is the nation's largest handmade candy company.

Corsicana, Texas is just one of the towns that the Village Prints artists have captured on paper. Village Prints has completed pencil drawings of more than 300 towns in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas and has produced limited-edition prints of these drawings. The originals are pencil drawings, featuring composites of outstanding landmarks and historical buildings such as those in Corsicana, Texas.

Art prints, which portray the historical and architectural heritage of Corsicana, Texas, quickly become collectors' items. Each print is signed and numbered. The prints are especially appropriate for professional offices. Some professional people have collected all of the prints of their particular regions.

Pencil Drawing of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Michelle Thompson Rideout created this drawing of Fayetteville, Arkansas, which was used as a fundraiser to benefit the Children's House, a nonprofit, therapeutic day treatment center for preschool children who have been extremely neglected, and/or physically, emotionally or sexually abused. The Fayetteville civic club that sponsored this project had this to say about artist, Michelle Rideout:

"Michelle Thompson Rideout is fast becoming a modern day Norman Rockwell. Concentrating on towns of the South, she is one of the region's most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana.”

Rideout graduated from the University of North Alabama with a bachelor of science degree in graphic design. Soon afterwards she began working with her father, Tommy Thompson, also known for his sketches of Southern towns.

Rideout's composite pencil drawings reveal a meticulous attention to detail, which gives a delicate quality to the overall print. Her prints have often been used for fundraisers, raising money around the country and receiving greater prominence through features in national magazines.

Rideout has done drawings of the homes of the late record producer Sam Phillips and late author Alex Haley. Because her art prints are limited editions, they represent an investment that increases in value with time.

Henderson, Tennessee Drawing

One of Tommy Thompson's daughters, Michelle Rideout, created the pencil drawing of the town of Henderson, Tennessee. Rideout is known for her meticulous attention to detail in drawing and this one is a good example.

Henderson, Tennessee, was founded in the 1850s as a railroad stop on the Mobile Railroad. Most of the town was built around the railroad, but a college caused growth as well. Freed-Hardeman University was founded in Henderson in 1907.

Henderson has had several interesting natives who made an impression upon our nation. Sue Shelton White became one of the great leaders of the Woman's Right to Vote Movement of the early 1900s. She later helped design the U.S. Social Security System under the Roosevelt Administration.

Henderson's most famous son is country music singer and songwriter, Eddy Arnold, who was born in Henderson in 1918. Arnold was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.

To purchase one of the limited-edition prints of Henderson, Tennessee, please check out http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/tennessee/henderson-tn.

Cleveland, Tennessee Drawing

Cleveland was established in 1837 as a county seat for Bradley County, which had been created the previous year. The town was named after Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, a commander at the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolution. Cleveland, TN, is the fifth largest industrial city in the state with 12 Fortune 500 manufacturers. A few of the products that are manufactured in Cleveland include Coca Cola, Dasani Water, M&M Mars, Coppertone, Dr. Scholl products, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Tappan appliance, Catnapper recliners, and Duracell batteries. Cleveland is home to Lee University and Cleveland State College. Lee is the second largest privately owned university in the state, second only to Vanderbilt. To order a print of Cleveland, TN, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/tennessee/cleveland-tn. 

Adamsville, TN Drawing

Adamsville, Tennessee, is located at the crossroads of Highway 64 and Highway 22 in southwest Tennessee. Adamsville is a thriving community with many amenities and all the charm of Southern living without the big city problems. This town has easy access to Memphis, Nashville, and Jackson, TN; Corinth and Tupelo, MS; and Florence, AL. To order a print of Adamsville, TN, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/tennessee/adamsville-tn.
 

 

Due West, South Carolina

Due West is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina. Due West is the home of Erskine College, a private Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. To order a print of Due West, SC, please click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/south-carolina/due-west-sc.

Monroe, North Carolina Drawing

My wife Marie and I enjoyed a visit to the beautiful town of Monroe, North Carolina. Everyone we met was so friendly and helpful. We enjoyed meeting people like Helen Thomas of the First Citizens Bank, who is also president of the Breakfast Rotary Club. Matthew Sganga, chef/owner of Stone Table Cafe and Catering in Nottingham Plaza fed us well.

The pencil drawing of Monroe was done by our daughter, Michelle, whose work has been published in national civic magazines. She has been called "one of the South’s most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana." Her interest in art was sparked while she was a small child looking over her father’s shoulder as he was drawing. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in graphic design; soon afterwards she began working with her father, Tommy Thompson, also known for his sketches of Southern towns. The artist's composite pencil drawings reveal a meticulous attention to detail, which gives a delicate quality to the overall print. Her prints have often been used for fundraisers, raising money around the country and receiving greater prominence through features in national magazines. She also produced drawings of the homes of the late record producer Sam Phillips and late author Alex Haley. To order a print of Monroe, please click here: 

http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/north-carolina/monroe-nc.

Columbia, Mississippi Drawing

Columbia, MS, was first settled by John and William Lott in the early 19th century, giving the town its original name, Lott's Bluff. It was incorporated as Columbia in 1819. It served as the temporary capital of Mississippi until Jackson was selected as the permanent capital. Former Mississippi governor and Columbia native Hugh L. White introduced white squirrels to the area, and they are still common in Columbia City Park. In the mid- 1930s, Columbia became the historic “Home of Mississippi Rodeo.” The first rodeo of 1935 was held at Columbia’s City Park and is now known in rodeo history as the world’s first outdoor night rodeo held under electric lights. In 1936, Mississippi’s first permanent rodeo arena was constructed in Columbia. To this day, rodeo remains a popular sport in Columbia and Marion County. To order a print of Columbia, MS, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/mississippi/columbia-ms.

Franklin, KY Drawing

Franklin, KY, was founded on November 2, 1820 on a 62-acre tract of land. This land was purchased from William Hudspeth and was named for Benjamin Franklin. The post office was established on September 29, 1822, with Robert W. Simpson as postmaster. To order a print of Franklin, KY, please go to: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/kentucky/franklin-ky

Sylvania, GA Drawing

The European-American town of Sylvania was founded in 1790 by settlers' migrating to the area after the American Revolutionary War. It was part of the Black Belt of Georgia, developed for cultivation after the cotton gin made it easier to handle short-fiber cotton. Cotton was the most important commodity crop until late in the 19th century. Planters imported many enslaved African Americans to cultivate the crops. The county seat was moved from Jacksonborough to Sylvania in 1847. Sylvania calls itself the "Azalea and Dogwood City." The area was inhabited for thousands of years by various cultures of indigenous peoples. By the time of European encounter, historic tribes included Iroquoian-speaking Cherokee, as well as Siouan-speaking tribes. To order a print of Sylvania, GA print, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/georgia/sylvania-ga.

Gainesville, GA Drawing

Established as "Mule Camp Springs" near the crossing of two Indian trails followed by settlers in the 1800s, the City of Gainesville has maintained and built upon its historical legacy as a regional transportation and trade center for almost two centuries. Less than three years after the creation of Hall County, the village of Mule Camp Springs was chosen to serve as the site of government for the new county. The city was given the name "Gainesville" in honor of General Edmund P. Gaines, a hero of the War of 1812 and a noted military surveyor and road-builder. To order a print of Gainesville, GA, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/georgia/gainesville-ga.

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Known only as "opposite Little Rock" until the Civil War, North Little Rock grew as a crossroads that linked river and overland traffic. In 1866, surveyed and platted, an unincorporated town of mills, factories, hotels and saloons became known as the town of Argenta. In 1890, the community of Argenta filed papers to incorporate as a city. However, Argenta's southern neighbor, across the Arkansas River, quickly passed legislation to annex the little town and make it the eighth ward of that city. Years later a group of north side businessmen led by William C. Faucette (who was elected to the Arkansas state legislature) introduced a bill to allow a new city to be created by annexing the eighth ward of Little Rock. In 1903 North Little Rock and Argenta town residents voted to merge. Little Rock mounted a court challenge, but on February 6, 1904, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in favor of the 1903 merger of North Little Rock and Argenta (named for silver mines), with more than 8,000 residents. In January 1906 North Little Rock changed its name to Argenta, but in October 1917 renamed itself back to North Little Rock. Visit the History and Historic Commission's page for information on historic buildings, landmarks and sites, learn more about the colorful stories of the people and places that shaped the North Little Rock of today. To order a print of North Little Rock, AR, check out this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/north-little-rock-ar

Conway, AR Drawing

The city of Conway was founded by Asa P. Robinson, who came to Conway shortly after the Civil War. Robinson was the chief engineer for the Little Rock-Fort Smith Railroad (now the Union Pacific). Part of his compensation was the deed to a tract of land, one square mile, located near the old settlement of Cadron. When the railroad came through, Robinson deeded a small tract of his land back to the railroad for a depot site. He laid out a town site around the depot and named it Conway Station, in honor of a famous Arkansas family. Conway Station contained two small stores, two saloons, a depot, some temporary housing and a post office.To order a Conway, AR, print, check out: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/conway-ar.

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Clarksville, AR Drawing

Clarksville, Arkansas, is located in a central, beautiful area of Arkansas, strategically located on I-40 in the Arkansas River Valley. The town borders the Arkansas River and Lake Dardanelle to the south and the Ozark National Forest to the north.
Clarksville offers its residents outdoor adventure, small-town environment, low cost of living, and outstanding recreational opportunities. Spadra Creek, a tributary that runs into the Arkansas River, traverses through the heart of downtown Clarksville and is known for the adjacent walking trail where people walk, run, bicycle, bird watch, and picnic. The Ozark National Forest and the many lakes, rivers, and streams provide an abundance of opportunities for outdoor activities. To order a Clarksville, AR print, check this out: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/clarksville-ar.

Concord, NC Drawing

When the new county of Cabarrus, North Carolina, was formed, there was controversy over the selection of the county seat. Finally, a compromise was reached and a new city was formed in 1796. The city was to be located on a 26-acre site and was to be called Concord, which means harmony. The founders felt the name appropriate since there was a coming together of the two factions to create the city. Concord was incorporated in 1806.

The Village Prints drawing of Concord depicts several historical landmarks such as the old court house, the old mill, the post office, the old high school and other buildings. Concord is located in the Piedmont. Gold was discovered near Concord in 1799, sparking the North Carolina gold rush. The city was the filming location for the 2001 movie, "Shallow Hal." Well-known residents have included William "Billy" Goodman, baseball player. Attractions in Concord include the Concord Motorsport Park, the Lowe's Motor Speedway, and NASCAR Speedpark. To purchase a copy of the print pictured above, see this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/north-carolina/concord-nc/.

Bunkie, LA Drawing

Bunkie is a city in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. It is the birthplace of jazz drummer Zutty Singleton. Since 1987, Bunkie has hosted the annual Louisiana Corn Festival during the second full weekend of June. Bunkie is also well known as the rice, sugarcane, sweet potato, waterfowl, boiled crawfish, fried fish, and cajun capital of the world.The print of Bunkie above can be purchased at this link: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/louisiana/bunkie-la.

Canton, Mississippi, Drawing

Canton is a city in Madison County, Mississippi. It is the county seat of Madison County and situated in the northern part of the metropolitan area surrounding the state capital, Jackson. Much of Canton is on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse square is a historic shopping dist          rict and host to the Canton Flea Market. The east side of town is a large part of the historic district with many homes. Although not a major battle site during the Civil War, Canton was important as a rail and logistics center. Many wounded soldiers were treated in or transported through the city, and as a consequence it has a large Confederate cemetery. To order a Canton, MS, print, check out http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/mississippi/canton-ms

Yazoo City, Mississippi, Drawing

Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle in 1682 as "Rivière des Yazous" in reference to the Yazoo tribe living near the river's mouth. Yazoo City is also known as the "Gateway to the Delta" due to its location on the transition between the two great landforms that characterize the geography of Mississippi. A few of the notable people who hail from Yazoo City, MS, include Haley Barbour, former Governor of Mississippi; Jerry Clower, famous country comedian; Willie Morris, writer who was born in Jackson, MS but grew up in Yazoo City; and Zig Ziglar, personal development speaker and trainer. To order the Yazoo City, MS, print, check out http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/mississippi/yazoo-city-ms.

A Place Called Hope

What two famous men were born in Hope, Arkansas? Former President Bill Clinton, and former Governor Mike Huckabee came from this famous little small town.To learn more about the print of Hope, AR, check out this link.

The drawing of Hope was done by Tommy Thompson's daughter, Michelle Rideout, who is the one of the South’s most prolific artists in capturing small town Americana. Her drawings are known for their meticulous attention to detail.

To purchase one of the prints of Hope pictured above, click here: http://www.villageprints.com/drawings/arkansas/hope-ar.

Greenville, TX

Are you longing for a memento of your birthplace, Greenville, TX? Are you searching for that unique gift for a loved one who has a special place in their heart for Greenville, TX/? Do you belong to a club or organization that is looking for an unusual fund-raising idea? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to check out the Greenville, TX print.