Keep Nacogdoches  Beautiful

The historic post oak once played an important role in the religious life of early Texans,  it was under its branches that the settlers secretly met and worshipped.

A storm in 1925 nearly destroyed the tree when almost the entire crown was blown off. It healed and hid its wound with a dense crown of branches and leaves. In September of 2005, Hurricane Rita struck Nacogdoches completely destoying the Old North Church Oak tree.  Recently a tree propogated from the Old North Church Oak was planted by Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful at the site of the original tree.

The First Edition Keep Texas Beautiful Ornament is modeled after KTB’s official seal which includes images of the state of Texas and a bluebonnet.

The ornament of a bouquet of wildflowers set above a gold-brushed Texas is dedicated to the late Lady Bird Johnson.

“It is important to me that the bouquet was as perfect as we could get it,” Nelda Laney, designer of the ornament series, explained, pointing out the tiny flecks of blue depicting the bluebonnets shown below a ribbon. “Those dots were white and I knew they should be blue since they were part of the bluebonnet. I really want all of the ornaments to be perfect, but particularly this one dedicated to Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson, who has meant so much to Texas.

“Lady Bird died the day before her daughter, Lucy, and I were to reveal the ornament,” Nelda said.

“Lady Bird had seen the ornament and I was told she was thrilled and loved it.”

Proceeds from the sale of the ornament fund beautification projects in Nacogdoches County.