South Texas Room - Hall of State

On the rear wall of the South Texas Room there is a colorful mural painted by James Owen Mahoney, Jr. Like the other murals it is full of symbolism. In the center of the mural is a female figure representing South Texas. She is a lovely young barefoot girl wearing a white cotton dress and broad-brimmed hat. She wears flowers in her hair and holds a fan in her right hand. Behind her kneels a beautiful white horse. Large white birds fly overhead.

To the girl's right (viewer's left) is a mermaid holding a net, an anchor and a fish representing the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico. Another mermaid holds a conch shell and coyly looks away. Behind her can be seen a paddlewheel boat. To the girl's left is a young farmer holding a pig. By his side is a basket of fruit representing the bounty of the land. The background scenery is lush - full of palm trees, flowers, and broad-leafed plants. A banner at the bottom of the mural reads: "Witness the land and sea enriching with prodigal hand the tranquil South."