Sugar Land Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Holiday lights at Sugar Land Town Square.

Sugar Land, Texas – a sprawling business and residential community southwest of Houston – is wrapping up its year-long 50th anniversary celebrations at this holiday season with a special event to recognize prominent names in its history.

A $30,000 commemorative artwork has been designed by Austin-based sculptor Joe Kenney and will be unveiled on New Year’s Eve during a special city event. Everyone in the city is invited to the party.

Six bronze panels forming a hexagon will convey the values and themes of Sugar Land’s history, with a focus on the roots Imperial Sugar Company, a prosperous economy, diverse and safe neighborhoods, and the transformation of the area into one of America’s Best Cities. Imperial Sugar’s corporate headquarters at located in the city.

Austin scultptor Joe Kennedy working on the Sugar Land commemorative tribute.

Corporate and individual sponsorships helped underwrite the project, which is planned as a permanent and elegant tribute to Sugar Land’s collective history. Among the $80,000 raised to fund the bronze sculpture and celebration events, Imperial Sugar donated $7,500.

“Imperial Sugar’s generous donation ensured the creation of this bronze sculpture as a salute to our company town sugar roots and the incredible growth and accomplishments of our 50 years as a city,” said Mayor James Thompson.

“We owe our existence as a city to Imperial Sugar, so it’s fitting that their donation will help preserve and celebrate the city’s unique background and provide a lasting legacy for years to come.”