This image solved a mystery for me. I've had a photo of my sons' great-grandfather standing in front of what I thought was an old weathered tree and was told it was probably taken in California. When I saw this black and white image, I realized where it had been taken.
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| Frank Dillard, my sons' great-grandfather |
When you look at the image above, you can clearly see it is the same tree.
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| Back of card: This replica of the crag of an ancient tree was built of concrete by the noted Aztec artist Señor Dionicio Rodriguez. The bark, interior grain of wood, etc. are perfectly reproduced in concrete. The artist's theory was that seats were shaped from the partially decayed interior. This huge hollow stump of crag is directly in front of a large modernistic designed stone walled lily pond. Lilies of every color cover this pond in the Spring and Summer. |
Upon looking further, I found this color postcard of the same tree. The paragraph on the back of the card explained what the tree was.
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| Back of card: In designing the structure shown on the reverse side of this card, Señor Dionicio Rodriguez's, the noted Mexican concrete artist, conception was as follows: A great cloudburst washed out and exposed the roots of this sturdy tree but the tree maintained its upright position. Early settlers, noticing that it would make an ideal resting place, theoretically hewed off the tops of the roots and, cutting off the limbs at the proper positions, nailed on a rustic framework and made a straw roof fastened at the top with a homemade rope. |
The above was my next discovery, also in the Lakewood Subdivision and from the same artist.
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| Back of card: The central part of a design comprised of several pieces of unusual work in concrete, reproduced to look like wood, executed by a Mexican artist engaged to do this particular work. This old mill is turned by a water wheel, all being made to look like hewn timbers; there are bridges all over the stream, rustic seats, etc., all of concrete, but colored and textured in minutest detail with such perfection as to deceive the closest observer. |
Some of you may recognize the old mill in this postcard. It was in Gone with the Wind, an American classic film. This is still located in North Little Rock, Arkansas and is a memorial park.
The other two sculptures are still in Little Rock. The tree and natural umbrella remain on the Lakewood properties.
Señor Rodriguez's work can be found in several states. Located mainly in Texas, which became his home state after coming to the U.S. from Mexico, his works can also be found in Maryland, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Arkansas, of course. Several have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Please correct the location of the Old Mill. It is actually in NORTH Little Rock. We are located north of the Arkansas River from Little Rock. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCorrected, thank you.
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