In the 1940s, it was Forister’s. Then it became the Dinner Bell. And in 1981, it was purchased by the Calkins family and became the Cypress Creek Café.
Now, in the Oak Park Welcome Center, on property by Wimberley Square that was owned by their family for nearly 30 years, members of the Calkins family have joined together to design, build and install a special piece of functional art – a park bench.
“The city is grateful for the donation of this special piece of artwork that is so fitting for the site,” said Wimberley Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Minnick. “It will evoke memories for residents and be appreciated by visitors.”
A collaboration of sculptors Susan Calkins and partner James Hendricks, the bench is made of quarter-inch steel with a copper acid finish, with granite slab seating. It weighs over 400 pounds and is perched in the shade of the restroom building.
“[The café] was my life and my brother Dave’s for 28 years,” remembers Bruce Calkins, well-known Wimberley local, foodie and music lover. “I feel like we broadened the food and entertainment options in the Hill Country.”
Bruce and Dave brought numerous performing artists to the Cypress Creek Café’s Buzzard Bar over their almost-30-year run. Some of their favorites included Pat Malone, Lee Roy Parnell, Hal Ketchum, W.C. Clark, Willis Alan Ramsey and a long list of talented musicians. In 2000, Willie Nelson put on a big show there, which was a joint charity fundraising effort of Bruce and his wife, Mardee.
The bench illustrates those things that the Café was known for, but also the connection that the Calkins clan has to their parents. The hearts depicted on the bench are “in loving memory of our parents, Earl and Dorothy,” said Susan.
Earl and Dorothy Calkins were born and raised in New Orleans. Bruce recalls that their Cajun influence came into play on the café’s menu. It started with gumbo and grew into a full-fledged crawfish festival. The boil began in the Square parking lot, but quickly grew where it required building an outdoor stage to accommodate the crowds. Wayne Toups and his Zydeco band headlined most of the festivals, with a great lineup of gifted opening acts.
The Art Bench Intricate crawfish designs are depicted on the bench and are “reminders of the fun festivals,” Susan notes.
Also part of the New Orleans heritage was the Calkins’ love for jazz, which is represented on the bench.
“In those days, January was a super slow business month,” Bruce recalls. “We missed live jazz and it wasn’t common in the hill country until we brought it here.”
Jazzfest was an annual event for about 20 years. Running over two weekends, the festival brought a new diversity to live music offerings in the area.
Jazz performers included Paul Glasse, Mitch Watkins, Bobby Doyle and noted local resident and vocalist Joyce Webb along with other numerous top-notch musicians.
Finally, holding up the bench are three steel buzzards, namesake of the open-air “Buzzard Bar,” longtime center of Wimberley Square and a popular gathering place.
“It was my life and I’m proud of what we did,” said Bruce. The family agrees that the bench is a tribute to their legacy in Wimberley.
A QR code engraved on a plaque on the bench links to the history of the Cypress Creek Café that resides on the city of Wimberley’s webpage.
