Lufkin’s Demolition Uncovers A Long-lost Dr Pepper Treasure

Over the past several weeks, the demolition of the old Angelina County Jail has been proceeding in Downtown Lufkin. This jail was first opened in 1984 before being replaced in 2003 with the Angelina County Sheriff's Office located on East Lufkin Avenue. This facility can house a maximum of 279 inmates.

READ MORE: New Chief of Police Named at Angelina College

An Unexpected Discovery

During the process of tearing down brick walls and old facades, an unanticipated discovery was made. A mural advertising Dr Pepper was painted on a brick wall that had been covered up for decades. It reveals the old marketing slogan of "Dr. Pepper, Good For Life."

When was the mural painted, and who was the artist? No answers have been offered as of yet. However, a social media outcry to preserve the mural began and quickly gained momentum. Apparently, the City of Lufkin has taken notice.

The City's Plans To Preserve This Nostalgic Find

A post was made on the city's Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon, offering details about the discovery and the hope to safeguard and preserve this unique and historic revelation.

"The City of Lufkin recognizes the historic importance of this mural, and we’re currently exploring opportunities to preserve it. While we can’t yet confirm the outcome, we’re optimistic and grateful for the chance to re-engage with this unique piece of our past."

The post goes on to thank the community's passion and love for local history. It will be interesting to see if city officials can find a way to preserve or somehow incorporate this mural into the property's design, and how this could cause a few changes to demolition plans and timeline.

Thank you to the City of Lufkin for responding to the public's outcry in this matter.