Brownwood is about to celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of their most historic buildings.

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Harvey House Centennial Celebration event on Monday, December 15th to mark the 100th anniversary of the Brownwood Harvey House.   The celebration will consist of a series of events including tours of the building, a ceremony to unveil a commemorative plaque and Harvey Girl statue, and a book signing by the author of “Harvey Houses of Texas.”

“We will also have three special guests during the centennial event,” Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ray Tipton said.  “Three Harvey Girls, who worked at waitresses during the 1940’s, will also be in attendance to share their fond memories in Brownwood.”

The documentary “Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound” will be shown at the Lyric Theatre at 7:30 PM.   A  special Harvey House menu will also be served for lunch and dinner at the Turtle Restaurant in Downtown Brownwood.

“Brownwood’s Harvey House originally included a lunch room, kitchen, dining area and dormitories for the employees,”  said Tipton.  “Today the building houses the offices of the Chamber of Commerce, Gordon Wood Hall of Champions Museum, and Council Finance.”

The Brownwood Harvey House was built and opened in 1914 immediately east of the Brownwood Santa Fe Railroad Depot and was one of a series of restaurants across the country operated along the Santa Fe line by the Fred Harvey Company.    The Harvey Houses were the concept of railroad agent Fred Harvey whose idea was to provide superior food for travelers.

For more information about the Harvey House Centennial Celebration, call the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-646-9535.

Harvey House Centennial Celebration Schedule of Events
December 15th

8:00 AM—5:30 PM
Tours of the Brownwood Harvey House
Free
600 E. Depot Street

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Book Signing by Rosa Walston Latimer author of “Harvey Houses of Texas”
at the Harvey House (Brownwood Chamber of Commerce)
600 E. Depot Street

4:00 PM
Proclamation and unveiling of commemorative plaque and Harvey Girl Statue
at the Harvey House (Brownwood Chamber of Commerce)
600 E. Depot Street

7:30 PM
Showing of Documentary
“Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound”
Brownwood Lyric Theatre
Tickets $5 each
Purchase at Brownwoodlyrictheatre.com

Lunch & Dinner
Turtle Restaurant Serving Harvey House Menu
514 Center Avenue
theturtlerestaurant.com