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L. Ron Hubbard Scientology books printed in Fort Worth


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#1 bclaridge

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Posted 14 January 2025 - 08:17 PM

This isn't architectural history, but it is an interesting history nevertheless. Some of the L. Ron Hubbard books that now constitute the canon/scripture of the Church of Scientology had their first printings in Fort Worth.

In the 1950s, L. Ron Hubbard used the services of a Fort Worth-based printer, E. E. Manney of The Manney Company, to print various Scientology publications, including the first edition of the foundational Scientology text "Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought." One of the original 1956 editions of this text notes that it was "Printed by The Manney Company, 1041 Isbell Road, Fort Worth 14, Texas," as seen in the following image (from a digitized version of a Manney-printed copy of that text):

scientology.png

Hubbard used other printers elsewhere during this era too; another 1956 printing of "Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought" used Foundry Press, Ltd. in the UK. I've seen other digitized versions of Manney-printed Scientology books too, including the "ACC Preparatory Manual." The following link is to an eBay listing, but it shows an image of a copy of the ACC Preparatory Manual printed by Manney in Fort Worth.

For those curious, the former location of The Manney Company is now an empty, fenced-off lot. I'm not sure when the buildings Manney used were torn down, although I am definitely curious.
 


Sydney B. Claridge

Proud Horned Frog (TCU Class of 2017) and lifelong Fort Worth resident with a hobby interest in urban planning and design.

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#2 FortWorthian

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Posted 14 January 2025 - 10:29 PM

Apparently there was a Blue Bonnet Recording Studio at 1041 Isbell Rd too!

QJhSglZ.jpeg

Appears to be a car wash here too: https://maps.app.goo...1Q4VEe8?g_st=ic

#3 txbornviking

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Posted 15 January 2025 - 08:27 AM

looking at histoc

 

This isn't architectural history, but it is an interesting history nevertheless. Some of the L. Ron Hubbard books that now constitute the canon/scripture of the Church of Scientology had their first printings in Fort Worth.

In the 1950s, L. Ron Hubbard used the services of a Fort Worth-based printer, E. E. Manney of The Manney Company, to print various Scientology publications, including the first edition of the foundational Scientology text "Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought." One of the original 1956 editions of this text notes that it was "Printed by The Manney Company, 1041 Isbell Road, Fort Worth 14, Texas," as seen in the following image (from a digitized version of a Manney-printed copy of that text):

scientology.png

Hubbard used other printers elsewhere during this era too; another 1956 printing of "Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought" used Foundry Press, Ltd. in the UK. I've seen other digitized versions of Manney-printed Scientology books too, including the "ACC Preparatory Manual." The following link is to an eBay listing, but it shows an image of a copy of the ACC Preparatory Manual printed by Manney in Fort Worth.

For those curious, the former location of The Manney Company is now an empty, fenced-off lot. I'm not sure when the buildings Manney used were torn down, although I am definitely curious.
 

 

 

looking at historic aerials it looks like perhaps in the 1970's it was demolished?

https://www.historicaerials.com/viewer



#4 FortWorthian

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Posted 15 January 2025 - 08:14 PM

I had read that in 1950 Enos E. Manney was charged with murder for driving while intoxicated in Montague County but later was acquitted by a jury based on what was largely character witness testimony stating they had never seen him intoxicated. Was a different time back then, seven character witnesses along with factors of fog could avoid a conviction whereas now the means of gathering physical and video evidence likely paint a much different picture for the jury. Oddly enough, this accident occurred 75-years ago yesterday Jan 14, 1950

#5 steave

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Posted 16 January 2025 - 12:02 AM

They probably acquitted him out of pity for being born with a horrible name like "Enos".



#6 FortWorthian

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Posted 16 January 2025 - 12:07 AM

They probably acquitted him out of pity for being born with a horrible name like "Enos".

 

At some point in his (probably adult) life, "E.E." just had a better ring to it....perhaps less name calling too.






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