Dionico Rodriguez was a Mexican concrete sculptor who created detailed concrete structures in the 1930s for parks in Arkansas that emulated wood and stone. He developed specialized concrete mixes and carving techniques that were closely guarded secrets. His most famous work is the T.R. Pugh Memorial Park in North Little Rock, where he constructed the old mill floors, staircases, footbridges and more to look like individual wood and stone structures. Rodriguez took great care with his concrete mixes, reinforcement, and craftsmanship to achieve natural appearances. His unique concrete work at Pugh Park remains in excellent condition over 80 years later and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

1. 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
ARKANSAS READY MIX
ASSOCIATION
Local Concrete History at T. R. Pugh Memorial
Park. Gone with Wind opening scene featuring
1800s look is actually concrete . Located in
North Little Rock Arkansas with 80 years of
durability

2. T. R. PUGH PARK IS UNIQUE IN FACT MANY
PARK DETAILS ARE ACTUALLY CONCRETE
 Built in 1933 the Old Mill floors and staircases, foot bridges, seating
areas tree stumps are individual concrete structures made by
hand by Mexican concrete sculptor Dionico Rodriquez
Located at Lakeshore Dr. & Fairway Ave.

3. EARLY DEVELOPMENT IN LITTLE ROCK
Developer Justin Matthews used Mr. Rodriquez
at both the Mill Park and Lakewood
developments in Arkansas. So concrete
contributed a major role in theme settings as
1939 Gone with the Wind scene shows

4. ATTENTION TO DETAIL
 His work in Little Rock was entirely made of cement. Rodriguez
worked with many architects but his cement mixes and tinting
methods remained mostly a secret. He layer 2-4 coats over the
rougher base material , careful consideration to water-cement
ratios and careful measuring of color formulas were key to
success

5. CREATING PETRIFIED WOOD LOOKS
 Using mixtures of Concrete Steel reinforcement and expert
Craftsmanship, in Mexico the work is called El Trabago Rustico
 Rodriquez work is second only to Frank Lloyd Wright on National
Historic Records

6. CONSTRUCTION METHODS
Reinforcement was placed into footings and
bent at many

7. THE PARK WAS DEDICATED IN AUGUST
OF 1933
Then Governor Charles H Brough praised both
Mathews and Rodriquez at the ceremony.
Dionico spoke of his other work in Texas but
stated he most proud of the work completed
in Arkansas. In 1986 it was placed on National
Register of Historic places. Dogwoods are in
bloom is excellent time to visit.

8. DIONICO RODRIGUEZ
 Born in Toluca Mexico about 1893 , though little is known about
him and for all his work in the States he never learned English. It is
known he began developing his talent with cement type
materials in Mexican foundry. His job was to reproduce ancient
looks from old European buildings. This work led Texas based
Alamo cement to bring him to United States. We are not sure if he
was ever married but he was a mostly loner with closely guarded
secrets on his concrete mixes. He did pass some secrets to Carlos
Cortez a nephew. He worked in Mexico and United States from
around 1920 to 1955 he passed away December 16 1955

9. WORKING WITH CONCRETE
 It was not until the 1940s that air was first introduced into
concrete construction, so it is testament to the creativity and
workmanship[p that these concrete structures remain in excellent
condition in central Arkansas

10. SUPER AIR METER
Gives readings telling entrapped air from
entrained air = Good air vs Bad air

11. OLD MILL PARK
 Some of Rodriquez’s work was renovated in early
1990s by a distant relative Carlos Cortez . The site is
now overseen by North Little Rock Parks Department

12. THE MILL WATER WHEEL
While when first viewed the water
wheel may give the appearance
of wood but actually concrete
over 80 years in age. The work
done by Mr. Rodriquez is termed
Faux Bois

13. INSIDE THE MILL
The 3 story structure is highlighted by stairs, handrails
and floors all made to look like wood

14. WALKING BRIDGES IN
THE PARK
Was built in 1933 by Justin Matthews
in honor of his friend Thomas Pugh this
is how parks name came about.
Architect Frank Carmean chose
Dionico Rodriquez
To use little known material at the
time concrete to achieve a different
look and setting

15. DIONICO RODRIGUEZ ( 1891-1955)
 Born in Mexico he became noted for his unique work with
cement to create a construction style imitates wood. Some of his
work is also at Alamo cement company with structures of fences
and fountains. His work is also in San Antonio on Japanese tea
garden. He has several projects on National Register of Historic
places . Including Arkansas own Mill Park which has free
admission. In 1940s President of Arkansas Power and Light
Harvey Couch selected him for sculpture works at his retreats in
Hot Springs

16. PARK HILL DEVELOPMENT IN LITTLE
ROCK
Frank Carmean architect and building construction superintendent toured the southwest
where he came across Mr. Rodriguez working in San Antonio with Alamo cement company

17. OTHER SITES IN ARKANSAS
Lakewood park Couch wood historic district in Hot Springs

18. BOOKS ON MR. RODRIQUEZ
Seeing his work in Texas Arkansas and Tennessee
Inspired Patsy Pittman Light to write a book on his
work
Fauzbiosconcrete.com

19. “
”OWNER JUSTIN MATTHEWS
Use concrete to give me a 1900s look, can you make petrified forest look
Dionico who began as brick mason with little formal education, also served as
apprentice for Italian artist Robles Hill who made imitation rocks. Dionico worked with
straight cement with many “tricks” known only to him on mixes. To create the natural
worn appearance he used his hands, forks, spoons and homemade tools.
He was very selective on who helped him and he never worked off of plans or
drawings. It would appear all mixes passed away with him as no records were ever
seen
His favorite
tool was fork
to carve

20. “
”
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
HTTP://WWW.CONCRTEARKANSAS.ORG
HTTP://WWW.CONCRETECARES.COM
Thanks to past and present directors , Members and Officers
50 years OF EXCELLENCE

22. LEARNING OBJECTIVES MET TODAY
 Concrete will meet our needs when done correctly and attention
to detail is followed. Support the ACI Flatwork program in
Arkansas Rita will be examiner at the Kansas City Convention
Contractors day APRIL
14 Kansas City