COUNTY LIFE
Old Nocona Boot factory becomes development centerpiece
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/nocona-boot-factor.jpg)
By DANI Blackburn
To understand the history of the Nocona’s leather goods industry one need look no further than the old Nocona Boot Factory Building.
The town has been known for its quality leather goods for more than a century due in large part to the success of the Nocona Boot Company.
However, the 100,000-square-foot building, home to the boot factory until it closed in 1999, has sat vacant on U.S. Highway 82 a shell of its former glory.
Many were fearful of taking on such a massive renovation, but not Craig Carter. The building’s future now includes plans for an event venue with a stage, restaurant, consignment store and a food bank.
Carter chose to purchase the building just as plans to bulldoze the historical building were in the works.
“They were gutting the building to bulldoze it, and I’m big on preserving history type stuff and it is pretty cool,” said Carter.
Read the full feature on the plans for old Nocona Boot Factory in the weekend News.
COUNTY LIFE
Bowie, Nocona libraries wrap up summer reading this week
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1.jpg)
Local libraries wrap up their children’s summer reading programs this week.
The Bowie Public Library brings the popular Creature Teacher with all their spectacular animals for the final event on July 23 at the Bowie Community Center.
The program begins at 10 am. The children also will receive their prize books for their summer logs.
The Nocona Public Library ends its program at 10 a.m. on July 24 at the H.J. Justin Building at 100 Clay Street. The program will be “Our Own Action Heroes -” Nocona fire, police and EMTs.
Top photo – Smokey Bear visiting Bowie last week at summer reading.
COUNTY LIFE
Color added to outside kennels at Bowie Animal Shelter
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_0081.jpg)
Rachel and Roger Whitaker gave this metal storage container a fresh look with this colorful mural at the Bowie Animal Shelter. (Photo by Barbara Green)
COUNTY LIFE
Youngsters attend swimming lessons this week
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_0115-scaled.jpg)
Swim lessons for youngsters of all ages were conducted the past two weeks at the city pool. It was a good place to be during this summer heat. See more photos in the weekend News. (Photos by Barbara Green)
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/jumping-off-the-board-970x1024.jpg)
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/learning-to-float-1024x967.jpg)
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