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much like school work.
Start with a stroll through Chandor
Gardens, a magical garden that offers
a unique world-class paradise with
an enchanting story and an astound-
ing array of creativity, color and
beauty.
The gardens were lovingly
designed and created by renowned
English portrait artist Douglas
Chandor more than 70 years ago.
Today it remains a spectacular
marvel.
To most, this chalky hill in North
Central Texas would seem an unlike-
ly place for a garden of such imagina-
tion and splendor. But when Douglas
Chandor married Weatherford native
Ina Kuteman in 1935, she convinced
him to build their home and garden
in the heart of her hometown.
Although his claim to fame was
his talent as an artist, Douglas found
his real passion as a gardener. He
once told Ina that his talent for paint-
ing was merely a means that enabled
him to fulfill his dreams of building a
“living artwork”. Douglas Chandor’s
destiny would be to turn these
dreams into a reality.
The gardens, originally called
Chandor Gardens entrance
Photo by Steve Schillio
White Shadows, were carved from
4 acres of rock-hard terrain that was
once a cow pasture. The project
began in 1936 with the aid of picks,
shovels, dynamite and mule-drawn
plows. Truckloads of topsoil and tons
of boulders were brought in to trans-
form the barren cactus-dotted proper-
ty into a peaceful haven enclosed by
hedges and walls. Chandor devised
a series of garden rooms, each with
individual character and stunning
views, all connected by meandering
walkways. His creation combines the
styles and ambiance of Chinese and
English gardens with such delights as
fountains, grottos, and even a moun-
tain waterfall.
The Chandors worked tirelessly
together in the gardens until Douglas’
death in 1953, at which time Ina
renamed them Chandor Gardens as a
tribute to her husband. The gardens
remained open to the public until
shortly before her death in the late
1970s. Because there were no direct
heirs, the property remained unat-
tended, overgrown and deteriorating
for 20 years.
In 1994, local residents Charles
and Melody Bradford purchased
the estate and took on the enor-
mous task of restoring the gardens
and home. In what could only be
described as a true labor of love,
they painstakingly spent years clear-
ing and cleaning away the debris of
decades of neglect. Many large old
trees, Douglas’ original wisteria and
boxwood plantings, and his magi-
cal hardscapes remained. Everything
else was replanted by the Bradfords,
and thanks to their efforts Chandor
Gardens was once again transformed
into a lush tranquil delight.
In time, the Bradford’s decided
to sell the property, and the City of
Weatherford purchased Chandor
Gardens in May 2002. After minor
renovations necessary for compliance
with the American Disabilities Act
and City building codes, Chandor
was re-opened to the public in the
fall of 2002.
The gardens are available for
public and private tours. The gardens,
along with the Chandor mansion,
are available for rental. It is an ideal
and picturesque setting for weddings,
photography, meetings, and special
events.
Toddlers to teenagers will be
enchanted by Weatherford’s most
spectacular treasure.