Locals Happy For Resurrection of 'God's Country' Signs in Hondo, Texas
The famous welcome signs in Hondo, Texas that read, “This is God's country. Please don't drive through it like hell,” have been erected once again.
The welcome signs were taken down in 2009 when a state construction project to expand U.S. 90 began and found the signs were in the way, KSAT news reported.
A donation from Hondo’s local gardening club will go to improving the land around the signs, adding on an additional $25,000 worth of landscaping to Highway 90, according to KSAT.
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"They were missed and a lot of our citizens would ask when they're coming back," Hondo's City Manager, Robert Herrera, told KSAT.
A new nearby monument to Hondo citizens will also be complete in the coming months.
"I think people are happy to have them back, especially the old timers like me. I remember the original sign when it didn't say please," one long-time Hondo resident told KSAT.
Other residents are hopeful that the newly raised signs will bring tourism to Hondo.
"Hopefully it'll bring a lot of tourism into the city. People will stop and take pictures and do some shopping locally,” said another Hondo resident.
The U.S. Highway 90 project cost $100,000 in total, according to KSAT.
The Hondo welcome signs have been on display since the 1930s, with no sign of residents wanting to end their tradition. In May, Hondo will hold an official re-dedication ceremony for both the signs and the new monument, KSAT reported.
