Chandor Gardens in Weatherford captures both the ornate design of ancient Chinese architecture and the elegance of a formal English garden. The 3.5-acre estate leads its visitors on a meandering path of beauty and wonderment. From the 30-foot man-made waterfall, to the various soothing fountains, the gardens have something new and exciting to offer at every turn.

About Douglas Chandor

Douglas Chandor was born in Surrey, England, on August 20, 1897. Chandor attended Radley College, Berkshire from 1910-1914, and promptly left college to enlist in the 1st Life Guards of the British Army.

He later transferred to the Scottish Lovat Scouts, but was soon discharged due to his bout with typhoid and an injury that impaired his knee. During his time with fellow soldiers, Chandor began his first attempts at portraiture, and upon his discharge, was admitted to the Slade School in London. After six months of study, he progressed as a portraitist and within two years held his first one-man exhibition.

His talent was sought world-wide, thus producing painted portraits of Edward, Duke of Windsor, the young Prince of Wales, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth, just to name a few of his some 200 recorded paintings.

When he came to American and was living in New York, he met Ina Kuteman, fell in love, married in 1934 and moved to Ina's hometown, Weatherford, Texas.  Chandor married Ina Kuteman Hill of Weatherford, Texas and soon embarked on his greatest masterpiece with four acres of barren land as his canvas. The project began in 1936 with the aid of picks, shovels and dynamite - and a man’s fortitude to construct a "living artwork."

Chandor devoted sixteen years to his gardens before he suffered a major stroke from which he never recovered. He died January 13, 1953 at the age of 56. On March 4th of the same year, Ina Chandor opened the gardens to the public for a nominal fee of $1.00. She used the proceeds to help absorb the high costs associated with the gardens’ maintenance. The gardens were drawing several thousand visitors annually. Ina joined her late husband in 1978, and the gardens slowly died with them.

Today, the grounds show new life - a place to escape from the cares of the world. It is a gardener's paradise for people young and old, horticulturist or amateur, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature.

Douglas and Ina Chandor are buried at Old City Greenwood Cemetery in Weatherford.

Home of Crazy Water — In the late 19th century, Texas was well known for its mineral water resorts. People flocked to Texas by the thousands and were consumed with the mineral springs for one reason­—to benefit from the healthful qualities of the waters. The greatest spa resort growth in Texas was from 1890-1919, during which time over one hundred new watering places were established.

The story of the now-defunct Baker Hotel begins in 1925, when citizens of Mineral Wells, concerned that non-citizens were profiting off of the growing fame of the community's mineral water.  Famous for ghost or haunted stories.

The first public school building in Mineral Wells, the building that is now the Rock School Museum was erected in 1884. The museum is devoted to the preservation of the historical memorabilia of the city of Mineral Wells.

The jail, built in 1880, served Palo Pinto County until abandoned in 1941. It lay vacant until 1968, when it was converted into the headquarters of the Palo Pinto County Museum.