On The Record, Vol. 3, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, August 12, 2011 Page: 32 of 44
forty four pages : ill.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
- >
1V V . MBrmi'lTHl mi:.
v*.:> Dr. Livelonqs i
" ^^edicine Sh ouii
DQDQOQ
i
After 100 years of existence, Denton
commemorated its early years with a
centennial celebration from April 21 to
April 27,1957. Festivities included a parade,
fireworks and costumed residents gath-
ering at the Courthouse-on-the-Square.
Various members of the Denton commu-
nity acted out "The Centurama," a play
on the h istory of Denton showcasing "100
Years of Progress."
Split into 18 episodes, "The Centurama"
covered everything from the city's role in
the Civil War to the construction of the
Opera House on the Square, according to
the event's program.
Former Denton Mayor Jack Bryson
encouraged residents to get into the spirit
of the event and dress up in old-fashioned
apparel for the celebration.
Men without beards, ties and top hats
were thrown into a mock jail until they
paid a5-centfine.
Several Denton organizations, including
churches, businesses and schools, came to
support the celebration, entering floats in
the parade and joining either the "Brothers
of the Brush" or the "Centennial Belles."
Former Texas Governor Price Daniel
attended the parade and the naming of
the Centennial Queen, 18-year-old Denton
High School senior Patsy Pitner.
"Dr. Livelong's Medicine Show," a
comedic parody of traveling medicine
shows common in the U.S. at the time,
arrived at the Courthouse-on-the-Square
in a donkey-pulled wagon. Homer B.
Bronstad of Denton High School acted
as Livelong, peddling his patented "Over
the Top Tonic."
The event concluded with the last act of
"The Centurama," called "The Wheel of
Progress," followed by the national anthem
and a fireworks display.
Harwell V. Shepard, former president
of the Denton Centennial Commission,
wrote in the event's program that in the
last 10 decades, the world had seen enor-
mous change.
"We believe that Denton and Denton
County have been in the van of this prog-
ress," Shepard said. "And that our own
progress has been due in great measure
to the pioneering spirit, the courage and
the love of freedom exemplified by such
God-fearing men as John B. Denton, for
whom our county and city were named."
Lighthearted and entertaining, the cele-
bration reflected on Denton's hundred-
year history with the hope that the "Wheel
of Progress" would continue turning for
another hundred years.
-Alex Macon, Senior Staff Writer
32 Explore
ntdaily.com
On The Record
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Zucker, Shaina. On The Record, Vol. 3, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, August 12, 2011, periodical, August 12, 2011; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth209156/m1/32/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .