Day Trip: Enjoy City of Mosaics’ mix

The gazebo in downtown Levelland, Texas, is the center of activity for a variety of of celebrations held in the city. Here a music group performs at Sounds of Texas. (Courtesy Photo)

Compiled by Casey Peacock: Freedom Newspapers

A Texas MainStreet city, Levelland is home to an eclectic mixture of art and entertainment that will provide a chance to enjoy a day of shopping and exploring.

“We are the City of Mosaics,” said Mary Siders, Levelland Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet president.

Mosaics are works of art created with cubes of glass tile placed in a pattern in a 6,000-year-old technique, according to the Chamber’s Web site, levelland.com. Levelland has nine mosaics, including three at South Plains College, and others at Methodist Hospital, Levelland Clinic, Adult Learning Center, Hockley County Library and the Levelland Area Chamber of Commerce.

South Plains College in Levelland is worth a visit. The college is known for its music program, where stars such as Lee Ann Womack and Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks have attended. The college is also home to the Tom T. Hall productions, a Nashville, Tenn.- style recording and production facility, said Siders.

“We have literally had people from all over the world attend the college,” said Siders.

South Plains College also has a small but impressive art collection, donated by Marjorie Post Merriweather, said Siders. She was the daughter of C.W. Post, one of the pioneers of breakfast food who developed Grape-Nuts cereal, according to http://www.kraft.com.

Levelland also has many other offerings. On the square several shops provide a variety of items including home decor and novelty items that cannot be found in chain stores, said Siders.

“For a town our size, we have some really great stores on the square,” said Siders.

Dining and hotels are also among the attractions to Levelland. According to the Chamber Web site, several area restaurants offer cuisine from chicken fried steak, green chile burgers, gourmet specialties and baked goods. Currently there are two hotels and one bed and breakfast in the area.

A Holiday Inn Express and a Best Western Inn and Suites are being built and scheduled to open soon. This will add more than 100 new hotel rooms to the area, said Siders.

“Levelland is a great place to work, raise a family and call home. We also have some great attractions that make a nice venue for a day,” said Siders.

Driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Directions: From Clovis, travel east on U.S. 60/70/84 approximately 62 miles. Turn right onto U.S. 385 south and travel approximately 22 miles.

More information: Contact the Levelland Chamber of Commerce, 1101 Avenue H, phone (806) 894-3157, or visit its Web site at levelland.com.