The former Texas Gas building has become the latest Owensboro landmark to be commemorated as the annual ornament benefiting the Imagination Library of Daviess County.
The 2026 pewter ornament features the iconic Frederica Street headquarters, a building many longtime residents remember for its modern design, elaborate Christmas displays and role as one of the area’s largest employers. Ornaments are available for $20, with proceeds supporting the local Imagination Library program, which provides free books to children from birth through age 5.
The landmark ornament series began in 2004 under the local nonprofit Grandma’s Corner before the Imagination Library of Daviess County assumed the fundraiser in 2011. The RiverPark Center was the first ornament released after the transition.
Since then, the series has featured many of Owensboro’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Glover H. Cary Bridge, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Big Dipper, Rolling Pin Pastry Shop, Wonder Whip and Reid’s Orchard.
This year’s selection honors a building that opened in the early 1960s as the headquarters of Texas Gas Transmission Corp., a major natural gas pipeline company. Designed by the nationally recognized architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the headquarters became a symbol of Owensboro’s postwar growth and remained a prominent part of the city’s skyline for decades.
Diane Bowers, executive director of the Imagination Library of Daviess County, said the building evokes memories that extend far beyond those who worked there.
“Even if they didn’t work there or know anybody who worked there, people would drive up there at Christmas, get out of their cars and look at all the beautiful lit reindeer and decorations,” Bowers said. “It just brings back a lot of good memories for people.”
The property later was redeveloped into what is now known as The Shoppes at 3800 Frederica after Texas Gas relocated many of its operations downtown.
Bowers said the ornament series often reflects landmarks that hold a special place in the community’s history. She noted that the 2020 Gabe’s Tower ornament generated tremendous interest as the downtown landmark was being demolished around the same time.
“We sold about 1,000 of those and were just blown away,” Bowers said. “Then the next year we did the Big Dipper and sold even more.”
The Big Dipper ornament, released in 2021, remains the organization’s best-selling design.
While the ornaments celebrate local history, they also help fund a program that places books directly into children’s hands each month.
The Imagination Library currently serves about 3,400 children in Daviess County. Children enrolled from birth receive one free, age-appropriate book in the mail every month until their fifth birthday. The first book each child receives is The Little Engine That Could, while the final book is Kindergarten, Here I Come!.
Bowers said the statewide partnership established three years ago allows Kentucky to cover half the cost of the books, while local affiliates raise the remaining funds.
“Our bill runs a little over $4,000 a month, but that’s for about 3,400 books being purchased and mailed,” Bowers said. “The Dollywood Foundation does an incredible job of keeping the costs low.”
Parents can register eligible children at imaginationlibrary.com.
The 2026 Texas Gas ornament, along with previous years’ ornaments, is available locally at Crazy Me Gifts, the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden gift shop and the Owensboro Museum of Science and History. Willow & Pine is also expected to carry the ornaments soon. Those outside the area can arrange shipping by contacting the Imagination Library of Daviess County through its Facebook page.
Previous Owensboro landmark ornaments
- 2004 — Old Smothers Park
- 2005 — Sassafras Tree
- 2006 — Union Station
- 2007 — Campbell Club
- 2008 — Longfellow School
- 2009 — Trinity Centre (Theatre Workshop)
- 2011 — RiverPark Center
- 2012 — New Smothers Park
- 2013 — First Christian Church
- 2014 — First Baptist Church
- 2015 — Executive Inn
- 2016 — Settle Memorial Church and Glover H. Cary Bridge
- 2017 — St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- 2018 — St. Joseph & Paul Church
- 2019 — First Presbyterian Church
- 2020 — Gabe’s Tower
- 2021 — Big Dipper
- 2022 — BBQ Kettle
- 2023 — Rolling Pin Pastry Shop
- 2024 — Wonder Whip
- 2025 — Reid’s Orchard
- 2026 — Texas Gas Building
