Bosque County, Texas

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The Painted Hills

Bosque County…A Cultural Center Focusing On History

Bosque County, Texas is becoming one of the fastest-growing cultural centers in Central Texas, with substantial investments being made to restore historical and ethnic attributes that bring together the region’s rich heritage and its keen eye on the future.

The award-winning Bosque Museum, which has captured history and promoted its influences since its inception in 1924, has constantly expanded and will be unveiling one of its most aggressive and impressive exhibits, the Horn Shelter, in October. The museum, located in Clifton, has long been recognized as a significant repository for the wide range of ethnic cultures that have influenced Central Texas, notably the Norwegian elements, as Clifton is known as the “Norwegian Capital of Texas.” It was in this area that the father of Norwegian immigration to America, Cleng Peerson, is buried. He encouraged his countrymen to settle here during the mid-1800s, joining with pioneers of German ancestry in promoting a progressive community through prosperity and brotherhood.

Clifton, the county’s largest city, is also home to many famous western artists and to the Bosque Conservatory, a unique area-wide venue for the visual and the performing arts. The complex, located on “college hill,” has a nationwide following, with artists regularly converging there to display their works. Academically, individuals come here to further develop their talents and learn more about a wide variety of endeavors related to the fine arts. During the past year, The Conservatory has been undergoing major renovations and expansion to bring state-of-the-arts capabilities to its ever-growing family of associates.

Clifton, a national Main Street City, with a current population of approximately 3,500, is located about 35 miles north of Waco, Texas. Clifton is famous for having one of the top rural healthcare centers in the nation, the Goodall-Witcher Healthcare Foundation, which is also undergoing substantial renovation and expansion. Too, there is an active Chamber of Commerce, a recently renovated municipal airport, plus numerous clubs and organizations, festivals, top-rated schools, and pro-active city government that add character to the city. Its diverse business community is continually growing, as is the community’s status as a tourism destination.

Nearby, the county seat of Meridian, Texas is also looking forward by looking back. The statuesque Bosque County Courthouse is being completely restored to its original brilliance, to bring back elements of yesteryear while making way for future efficiencies. Also on the square in Meridian is the Bosque County Collection, an elaborate archive of the history of Bosque County preserved for generations to come.

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