Blog 3726 – 01.23.2026

Restoring A Bronze Sundial

Three months ago I closed on an almost five acre tract of land (4.938 to be exact) in Bon Wier, Texas that once belonged to Alton Mitchell whose friends and family called him Uncle Jack. Jack had horses and cattle and even raised and sold game fowl.

My son and I have been clearing the place by hand and had two large piles of mostly small pine trees and Yaupon Holly that we hired a local man to haul off for us this week. Next week I plan to start creating another huge pile to be removed later.

I am also in the process of spending a few hours each week attempting to restore Jack’s last residence. It is a big job but like the old adage that answers the question, “How does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” I intend to take on this big project one small step at a time.” 

Several weeks ago I was cutting the old and badly rusted ball receiver yoke off of the rear trailer and discovered in the dirt a tarnished and almost unrecognizable bronze sundial. I wish I had taken a picture of it then as it was mostly cover with green and black corrosion and tarnish. Two bottles of Tarnx, a half a bottle of Brasso, several wire wheel drill attachment and more than a few hours of elbow grease and one can begin to see it as it once was. Here is a picture of a new bronze sundial advertised on Etsy. 

The restoration of this old bronze sundial is emblematic of my desire to restore Jack Mitchell’s ranch to what it once was as well, and to make it even better. This will not happen easily nor over night. It will take proper planning, and mindful execution with considerable investment of time and funds.

I will keep you posted on my progress both with the sundial and the larger project. Having something worth doing always makes time seem to fly by.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David James White