The historic pavilion at Jim Hogg City Park in Quitman came crashing down Monday, in preparation for rebuilding the iconic structure, which hosts the annual Wood County Old Settlers Reunion and other events.

The pavilion is being reconstructed after it was determined that it could not effectively be repaired. This marks at least the second major rebuilding project for the pavilion.

Quitman mayor Randy Dunn, on site to see the demolition begin, expressed being sick to his stomach at the prospect of the structure coming down, but that its safety was no longer acceptable to use.

Plans for the new structure will use the same footprint as the previous one, employing a single outer row of metal supports, with new timber for the roof.

In 1969, when the park was operated by the state, it was renovated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and according to a story in the Wood County Democrat, the hand-hewn center pole from 1902 became a part of the new structure but was six feet shorter than its original 50 feet.

A section of the center pole will also be used in the latest reconstruction. 

A crew of 16 prisoners from the state penitentiary assisted in the 1969 project.