Historic Midland

Preserving History: the City
of Midland Records Center
By Bill “Mr. Secretary” Clanton
The genesis of the City of Midland Records
Center commenced with the advent of the socalled
“James Bond Ordinance No. 7007,” adopted
by the Midland City Council on April 24,
1990. The city secretary was named as Records
Management Officer (RMO).
A suitable building was needed. The gymnasium
in the former Public Safety Building was
selected and was dedicated on June 18, 1993.
George Whitfield, Jr., San Antonio Records
Management Officer, presented a dedicatory
address.
Prior to the dedication ceremony, the new site
had been renovated. The archival section of the
Records Center will preserve items of historical
significance, including priceless tax records from
1909 to 1979; more than 1,200 scrapbooks,
which were donated by Bill Cogdell.
Council member Claudia Egan served as
chairperson for the Records Center Planning
Committee, with Glen Hackler, assistant city
manager, and Lyn Miller, deputy city secretary,
serving as members.
Clanton visualized that a panoramic mural on
the east wall of the Records Center could portray
the history of Midland and the Permian Basin.
This “vision” was presented to the planning committee,
and a mural committee was appointed.
Bobby Burns served as chairman for Phase One.
Burns later became an outstanding mayor for
Midland. Dr. Richard Jolly, vice president of
Midland College, served as chairman for Phase
Two. Bill Collyns, editor emeritus of the Midland
Reporter-Telegram, acted as advisor.
The mural project was presented to the council
and officially approved, whereupon the city
secretary and members of the mural committee
commenced solicitations and received from private
contributors funds totaling $22,000.
Artist Leilani Pinard of Ruidoso, New Mexico
was selected to paint the mural and was assisted
by local artist Tom White.
The concept of the mural design is to depict
the Midland/Permian Basin Area beginning some
200 million years ago. Also depicted is the
“Midland Man” skull, discovered several years
ago on the Scharbauer Ranch. It is the oldest
skeletal remains found on the North American
Continent.
Highlights, through the passage of time to
the present, are portrayed on a 50-foot wall, 12
feet in height, beginning with a landscape containing
buffalo, wild horses and smaller animals.
The skyline of Midland, at the turn of the century,
progresses from the early 1900s to the present.
The skyline portrays a flock of geese gliding
overhead in “V” formation. Placed chronologically
are: the Pliska Aeroplane, circa 1911, and a
modern jet, depicted on the upper level of the
mural.
A scroll in parchment color tones unfolds
across the mural on which objects are painted to
correspond with the appropriate time period.
Representation includes Indians, Spanish explorers,
Capt. Randolph B. Marcy, a wagon train, the
railroad, cowboys, the cotton industry, the Santa
Rita No. 1, Midland as the oil and gas headquarters
for the Permian Basin, Kentucky Derby-winning
race horses Tomy Lee (1959) and Alysheba
(1987), the rescue of little Jessica McClure
(1987), depictions of the educational and religious
influences, as well as a caduceus reflecting
Midland as a regional medical center. The prominent
Scharbauer Hotel and Petroleum Building
are portrayed. Also included on the scroll are the
first Hispanic to serve on the Midland Police
Department, and a painting of Dr. Viola Coleman
representing the Black community.
Another informative scene on the mural illustrates
former United States President George
H.W. Bush during the 1950’s era, when he and
his young family resided in Midland.
“Fifi,” the World War II B-29 Superfortress, is
indicative of Midland as the headquarters of the
Confederate Air Force.
Highlighted in the center of the scroll is MID-
LAND in illusory relief.
The Records Center’s Archival Section-which
includes the 12-foot by 50-foot panoramic
mural-was dedicated on October 6, 1994.
State Senator Teel Bivins was keynote speaker
at the dedication ceremony.
The future of the Records Center and the
Archival Section is contingent upon the actions
of the mayor and council of the City of Midland.
74 ✦ HISTORIC MIDLAND