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Tolar Tabernacle historic marker Texas outdoor attraction destination display education information landmark marker tourist attractive educating historical marker Historical Site Historical Sites Hood County info meeting place Place of Interest Places of Interest road side Roadside Roadsign sign tabernacle Tolar tour tourism tourist attraction Tourist Destination Tourist Destinations travel Travel Destination Travel Destinations United States appealing no people sightseeing signage United States of America attract history nobody sightsee daytime destinations displays historic markers landmarks markers South tourists appeal color image educate historic vertical Jason O. Watson / historical-markers.org day historical markers meeting places road sides signs tabernacles tourist attractions tours colour image historical outside day time TX day-time US color images daylight outdoors USA verticals colour images natural light outsides U.S. U.S.A. historic site sign with text |
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TOLAR TABERNACLE
Tabernacles such as this one once served an important function in communities throughout Texas and the southern United States. Prior to the advent of air conditioning, a place to comfortably hold outdoor gatherings was essential during hot summer days. Tabernacles served not just as the locations for revivals and other religious meetings, but were also used for weddings, reunions, homecomings, fairs, picnics and other community events. Although simple in construction, the tabernacle was much more durable than its forerunner, the brush arbor, which required periodic rebuilding or repair.
The Tolar Tabernacle was constructed circa 1897, and churches within the community contributed to the cost of the construction. While the community as a whole built and owned the tabernacle, trustees selected from local church congregations were chosen to manage the tabernacle association. In 1904, Emma D. and J.P. Broughton sold the property on which the tabernacle stood to the association for the sum of $75.00. The open air structure consists of a rafter system supported by timber posts and sawed lumber cross members. A hip roof of corrugated metal in ribbed panels shelters the site.
Although use of the Tolar Tabernacle has declined through the years, it is still used as the location for community fish fries, and the annual Tolar School Homecoming has been held at the site since 1954.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark -- 2009
Marker is Property of the State of Texas |