Watson Signs & Monuments

11/06/2026

A couple of days ago, I shared an article that talked about a cornerstone and the contents of a time capsule that was discovered inside of it.

We were the company that cut the cornerstone for the YMCA building at Texas A&M University. These are the images we took of the contents of that time capsule.

Based on the information I was told, these contents are held in extremely high regard and importance. To the point that under any power failure, they are documents that would be removed for protection. Kept to the same level of importance as some of the Lewis & Clark maps.

That class was very important. In 1911 the majority of the students had gone to war. There was also a yellow fever outbreak. The mortality rate of that class was less than stellar. So these documents are important.

11/06/2026

The sky becomes a unique setting for this memorial, giving a intentional place for the aircraft to stretch across the center and the couple to dance together framed by sunlight.

We’re grateful to the Stevener family for trusting us to bring these meaningful details together in a memorial that is personal to them.

11/05/2026

Cool to see a post about something we worked on back in 2011. Was one of the absolute coolest finds we have had.

A stonemason's saw was cutting into an old cornerstone at Texas A&M in 2011 when the blade went through the side of a copper box nobody knew was in there.

It was the cornerstone of the old YMCA Building. The building was being renovated, and the crew from Watson Signs and Monuments was recutting the stone so it could be reused, shaped to fit around a support column in the new west wing. The blade sliced right along one long side of the box. It was copper, about four and a half by five by ten inches, and it had been sealed up inside that stone since 1912.

Mary Manning, the assistant university archivist, explained who had put it there. "The cornerstone was a gift of the class of 1914," she said. "This class also put together the capsule and placed it in the cornerstone sometime in 1912." Those boys would have been undergraduates then, cadets on a campus a small fraction of the size it is now.

What they had tucked inside was a picture of the place in their day. The college catalogue for 1911 and 1912. A 1912 student handbook. A Battalion article about breaking ground for the YMCA. Pieces of a document listing the YMCA officers and their bylaws. And a list of the members of the class of 1914.

The crew got it out with only a little damage to what was inside, and it went to the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives, where the university keeps its history. The cornerstone itself went back to work in the new west wing.

Almost a hundred years those boys' names sat in the dark inside a block of stone, waiting on somebody to find them. In the end it took a saw blade.

11/02/2026

Are you having a difficult time deciding what to include on your memorial?

When you have a lifetime of memories to draw from, choosing what to include on a memorial can feel overwhelming. A photograph, a meaningful verse, and several favorite images may all feel equally important.

If you’re unsure where to begin, consider these questions:

• What feels most like them? Think about the words, places, or familiar details that immediately bring your person to mind.

• What would you most want to see when you visit? A photograph, a treasured saying, or a meaningful image may hold a particularly strong connection.

• Do several ideas express the same memory or belief? One thoughtfully chosen detail may capture what you love about several possibilities.

• Which words mean the most? An entire passage may be important, or one familiar line may hold the meaning you want to share.

Traditional monument sizes have a defined amount of space, and each element needs room to be clear and readable. Identifying your priorities helps us give those choices the attention they deserve.

You don’t need to arrive with a finished design. Share what matters most, and we will help you explore how those memories can fit together.

10/30/2026

Finding the right lettering:
Often times a change in lettering is just what a design needs to pull it together.

The same name can feel quite different in a different font. Its size, spacing, and placement also affect how it works with the rest of the memorial. Should it be elegant, classic, rustic, or modern?

With the thousands of options out there, we help families narrow down the typeface that complements the design and feels right to you. Our designers offer a thoughtful eye for readability, proportion, and balance.

10/28/2026

Some of the most meaningful parts of a memorial can be the details that are personal to your family.

The pattern on the kitchen wallpaper, where you sat and talked for hours. Lyrics from the song that always gets turned up in the car. Mom’s pendant, worn close to her heart.

Verses highlighted in the Bible on the nightstand. The view from Nana and Papa’s back porch, down to the old oak tree. Or the phrase that still makes the entire family break out in laughter.

Details like these give a memorial personal meaning, whether incorporated as a main focus or a subtle nod. We take care with how each part of the story fits together, creating a tribute that feels thoughtful, balanced, and true to your family.

10/23/2026

A little time away from the office and a whole lot of learning!

Abbey recently attended the Elberton Granite Association, Inc. Monument Retailers Course for a up close look at how granite becomes a finished memorial. Classroom sessions, demonstrations, tours, and hands on experiences offered a better understanding of each stage in the process. It was a great chance to ask questions, exchange ideas, and connect with suppliers. She even got to see some Watson Signs & Monuments pieces in production!

We’re grateful for opportunities like this to keep learning and bring that knowledge back to Texas. It keeps us inspired to create, striving to improve, and making sure we care for the families who trust us to tell their stories in the best ways possible!

10/15/2026

Hey, A&M Consolidated Tiger Club. Look what is ready to head the 4 miles up the road to the stadium!!!

10/09/2026

We’re excited to share that Watson Monument Company won 1st place in the Etching category at the American Institute of Commemorative Arts design contest this week!

Zack loved his kids more than anything. As a skateboarder it only made sence to include the images of his kids on the bottom of the board, and their handprints on the top as if to be cut into the grip tape. The front includes one of his photos he took of the family ranch. But if you are going to make a skateboard, you need to make sure that the marble wheels spin too.

We want to make a special thank you to the Zepeda family for allowing us to create Zach’s memorial and to share his story. We’re deeply honored by this recognition and the families who entrust us with creating their monuments. Your memories, ideas, and trust give us the opportunity to design truly unique memorials that continue their legacy.

Thank you for letting us to be part of something so meaningful.

10/03/2026

A lasting place to remember.

This original bench concept pairs flowing floral details with the clean lines of American Black granite. Polished and sandblasted finishes create the contrast naturally, without paint.

Designed as both a memorial and a place to sit, reflect, and feel close to those we love.

At Watson Monument Company, we create personal designs that honor the lives and stories behind them. What would you want yours to tell?

📍 College Station, Texas
*Conceptual rendering*