by Kristi Reeves
Is Texarkana rich? Why, of course it is! Bill O’Neal, history professor at Panola Junior College, said, “Texarkana and this area are especially rich in historical architecture. From its commercial buildings and old houses to old churches, it’s tremendously rich in that sort of thing.”
O’Neal, who attended Navarro Junior College, East Texas State University, and the University of Texas at Austin, was at TC Nov. 4 to present a slide show entitled “Historical Architecture of the Ark-La-Tex.”
The presentation, which was attended by approximately 20 TC students and members of the community, showcased a considerable amount of architectural structures within the Texarkana area.
“There is a great richness in architecture, varied uses of buildings such as for hotels, exploring old streets, old churches, forts and even castles and churches in Europe,” Tins said. “You really need to become aware of the small towns; people need to research the rich history of this area. Our heritage is the only tangible reminder we have of the past.”
Bill Hughes, dean of students, said, “We’re delighted that Bill came up to visit with us. He always gives a very informative and interesting program. He’s one of the few teachers I know that can teach something where you can have a good time learning it.”
Hughes also said that it is a shame that there aren’t more history teachers like him, ones that can make history come alive.
Last year O’Neal visited the TC campus and presented a program on the Old West, which he has written about. “Most of my articles and books are histories of the Old West,” he said.
He has three non-fiction books published already and a fourth is due to come out this month. A fifth book is with the publisher while he continues to work on his sixth. And he also had over 200 articles published, all of which have pertained to Western history, sports history or have been historical in nature.
O’Neal, who has given a variety of presentations from Montana to Nevada, said that he really enjoys his work.
“History is the story of people. And you’ve got to be able to make it come alive. History’s anything. It’s music, architecture, guns, knives, or anything you want it to be.”