One broom at a  time

Artisan crafts beautiful and historical tool
DAVID STEPHENS

R on Cox, a Fort Davis native, hand makes old-fashioned brooms following a method that began over 300 years ago.
    Cox has been making brooms in the area since 2000, officially opening his shop in 2005. His main ingredient is a material called sorghum, more commonly known as "broom corn." Sorghum was popularized in 1797 by Levi Dickenson of Massachusetts, who made the first sorghum broom for his wife. She was tired of her brooms falling apart after a few uses. Broom corn proved to be a much more durable material than straw, and retained its quality for years after it was made.
    Over the years Cox has mastered his art. He can make up to a thousand brooms a month depending on demand. He selects material for the shaft using cedar, yucca, cholla, or pecan wood. He then pedals a piece of equipment that rotates the broom's shaft while tying bundles of broom corn to the head with wire. Once firmly in place, Cox trims away stray pieces of broom corn and weaves in a colorful yarn pattern before securing it all with a well-placed nail.
    Each broom is unique. The variety of shafts and colorful thread patterns ensures that no two brooms are alike. They are beautiful to look at, and will last for years, both as a decoration or a practical household item.
    Be sure to stop by Cox's shop in Fort Davis to see him execute his timeless craft. He is always happy to demonstrate how it's done.   

TOP - Ron Cox, custom broom maker, beginning the process.
BOTTOM - Wiring the broom corn to the handle.

TOP- The finished product.
BOTTOM - Gathering the broom corn.