The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 23, 2006 Page: 91 of 110
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THE CLIFTON RECORD — BOSQUE COUNTY, U.S.A.
FRIDAY JUNE 23,2006
73
Valiev Mills. Texas
Gateway To Home Of The President
Bosque’s Southernmost City
VALLEY MILLS —The
City of Valley Mills is lo-
cated near the southern
banks of the Bosque River,
in the southeast corner of
Bosque County. Due to its
proximity to Crawford and
the “Western White
House,” it now proudly
touts itself as the “Gate-
way to the Home of Presi-
dent George W Bush.”
The origins of the city
date to around 1849, when
the first permanent set-
tlers in Bosque County
settled in the area. How-
ever, the city was formed
in the late 1860s, on the
other side of the river. The
city moved to its present
location when the railroad
came through in the early
1880s. Valley Mills incorpo-
rated as a city in 1896.
The First National Bank
of Valley Mills was orga-
nized in 18%, and received
its national charter in 1908.
It has been located in
Independence Day
Celebration Held Each
Year By Valley Mills
VALLEY MILLS — Beginning with a morning parade
on Sunday, July 1, the City of Valley Mills will celebrate
the Fourth of July with its annual Independence Day cel-
ebration. The parade features horse-drawn wagons and
riders, antique cars, floats, marchers, and children on
bicycles.
A patriotic program is usually held in Santa Fe Park
following the parade. Throughout the day, entertainment
is provided, and a variety of foods are available. Arts and
crafts booths and a pet parade are also highlights of the
day, as are live and silent auctions. The event normally
culminated with a street dance hosted by the Valley Mills
Volunteer Fire Department.
The annual celebration is the major fund raiser for the
Bosque Valley Heritage Society, which maintains the de-
pot and caboose in Santa Fe Park.
Valley Mills took on an old-time look at a recent 4th of July parade.
downtown Valley Mills since
that year. Now known as
First National Bank of
Bosque County, it has
branches in Clifton and on
Highway 6 near Waco.
The city was recognized
by a regional magazine in
VALLEY MILLS
City Government
City Hall — 401 Fifth St., Phone (254) 932-6146,
FAX (254) 932-5608, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to
noon, 1 to 5 p.m.
Elected Officials
• Mayor—Bill Lancaster
• Aldermen—Jackie Dulus, David Fisk, Jason
Strawser, Curtis Weithom, and Tom Wilson.
• City Council meets the first Tuesday each month
at 7 p.m.
Departments
• City Clerk—Diane Merghart
• Municipal Court—Madolyn Johnson
• Police Chief — Tommy Roach
• Police Department (254) 932-6300
• Emergency—9-1-1
City Services
• Volunteer Fire Department—9-1-1
• Waste Disposal—Centex Waste Management
(254) 840-5506
• Water Office — (254) 932-6146
• Electric Service —First Choice (866) 469-2464
• Gas Service—Atmos (800) 460-3030
• Telephone Service—Alltel (800) 622-5226
School
Valley Mills Independent School District —
Administration Building—(254) 932-5210, FAX
(254) 932-6601
Valley Mills Elementary—(254) 932-5526
Vblley Mills Junior — (254) 932-5251
Valley Mills High—(254) 932-5251
Superintendent—Dr. John Spies
Board Of Trustees
President, Ray Bickerstaff; Thistees, Bert Johnson,
| Terry Faubion, Donna Mueller, Ben IhunmeU, Brad
Cox, and Byron Whitney
1928 as the most unique
town in Bosque County. At
that time, Valley Mills
boasted of “more cement
sidewalks, more beautiful
shade trees, and better
paved and graveled streets
than any other place its size
in Central Texas.”
Valley Mills Trade Days
and other business promo-
tions kept the town busy dur-
ing the early to mid 1900s,
but after World War II, the
city lost businesses and
population. However, the
agricultural base of the
county has kept Valley Mills
prosperous.
The Bosque Valley Heri-
tage Society was founded
in 1968-69, and established
a museum in the old rail-
road depot in Santa Fe
Park.
The Lions Club has a
Valley Mills Tour Of
Homes Held Annually
VALLFTY MILLS — During the first weekend in
December, the Valley Mills Library hosts the annual
Valley Mills Tour of Homes, which features historic
homes and buildings in the Valley Mills area, all
decked out in the holiday theme.
Friends of the Library sell tickets as a fundraiser,
and usually other fundraising activities coincide with
the event, such as a bake sale or the sale of other
items.
Visitors from throughout Texas eqjoy the event and
surrounding activities, which add perspective to his-
tory and get people into the swing of the Christmas
and New Year holiday season.
Christmas program each
year in the park, which is
also the site of the city’s
annual Fourth of July cel-
ebration. Valley Mills Care
Center, auctions every Fri-
day, and a vibrant church
community and school sys-
tem keep the little town on
Highway 6 active.
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Smith, W. Leon. The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 23, 2006, newspaper, June 23, 2006; Clifton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth790015/m1/91/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Nellie Pederson Civic Library.