Where it all began...
Andy and I love to renovate spaces, and we’re always on the lookout for a “project.” For years I have dreamed of owning my own boutique, but the timing has never been quite right. Until NOW! While searching for our next fixer upper, we were drawn to a property in downtown Breckenridge with great bones. Little did we know that the rich history of the Caldwell building dated all the way back to the early 1900s.
In 1912 Mr. Caldwell was elected county attorney in Stephens County. He served until 1916. In the years that followed he was appointed county judge and then district judge. In 1917 Caldwell and his partner, Breck Walker, formed the Walker-Caldwell Oil Company, which was a great success during the Ranger and Breckenridge oil booms. Both Caldwell and Walker invested much of their time and profits in the future of Breckenridge. They financed the city's first water system and convinced three railroads to come to town. In the 1920s, and again in the 1950s, Caldwell served as director of the Texas and Pacific Railway.
In 1922 the family moved to Abilene, where Caldwell had close ties through his work in the Baptist Church and his friendship with Jefferson Davis Sandefer, president of Simmons College (now Hardin-Simmons University). Caldwell served as chairman of the Hardin-Simmons board of trustees for many years, and was a member until his resignation at the age of eighty-five.
We were astounded at the many “connections” we made with Mr. Caldwell while researching the history of Breckenridge. Our journey unfolds almost exactly 100 years after Mr. Caldwell’s. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church where Andy is now the Senior Pastor. Mr. Caldwell and his wife Cora Belle sent their children to Hardin Simmons University, where our daughter AnnaKate graduated in 2022. He also donated the land for Hendrick Medical Center, where Andy was born 40 years ago. We felt a special kinship with Mr. Caldwell when we ran across this statement he made: “The Lord has been good to me, and any man who fails to take God into his life to rule and guide him is a failure to a very large degree.” We may live 100 years apart, but I think that Andy and I would have loved to sit down with a cup of coffee and learn from such a wise man.
Though the name Caldwell has since been covered on the face of our building, I can’t help but think of the legacy that Mr. Caldwell left in Stephens and Taylor counties. Andy and I hope to continue the kind of legacy that stretches far beyond the walls of this historic building.
Our vision for this space is not just to own a boutique and offer “things” to purchase. We hope to create a beautiful sanctuary where you can come and feel welcomed, loved and cherished. Yes, our shop will be filled with apparel, home goods and gifts, but our ultimate goal is to point you to Jesus, the author of ALL beautiful things.
Andy and I are thrilled to own a piece of downtown Breckenridge. Like Caldwell and Walker, we are excited to continue investing much of our time and profit in the future of Breckenridge. We may be a small town, but we have big dreams.
Let’s grow together!
-Ashley Rodgers