2013 Spring Remembrances Newsletter 1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Spring Edition
2013
Congratulations again this quarter to Steel High School boys’ and girls’
basketball teams. The girls were runner-ups in the Girl’s 5A State Championship. The
boys went as far as the State semi-finals.
Several significant Texas historic events were celebrated since publication of our last
newsletter. March 2nd was Texas Independence Day, the day in 1836 when Texans
adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence. On March 6, 2013, the battle of the
Alamo (March 6, 1836) was celebrated. The slogan “Remember the Alamo” became the
rallying cry for the Texas Revolution and the Alamo became the shrine to fallen Texas
heroes. March 7, 2013, was the celebration of the same day in 1901 when the Texas
legislature proclaimed the Bluebonnet the state flower. March 19th was the anniversary of
the 1840 massacre of some thirty Penateka Comanche leaders and warriors at the Council
House Fight in San Antonio which prompted much of the subsequent violence of the
frontier. March 25th was the anniversary celebration (Good Friday - 1845) of the
founding of New Braunfels, Texas with Joseph Schertz and his family being among the
first founding families. March 30, 1870, President Ulysees S. Grant signed the act that
readmitted Texas to the Union. The Battle of San Jacinto occurred on April 21, 1836 and
ended with the surrender of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s army. The victory
was won by General Sam Houston and was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.
New member joined us during the Spring quarter. Clements High School senior Julian
Bugarin has already joined a subcommittee to work on a special project in the months
ahead.
March was the delivery date for the Comal Settlement Community historic plaque
providing State of Texas recognition to the Comal Settlement’s historic past. The plaque
conveys the story of the community from its historic beginning. The installation and
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dedication ceremony will be scheduled at a later date. Meanwhile, at the April 25, 2013
City Council meeting, a majority of Schertz city councilmen expressed reservations
regarding efforts by Richard Campos to obtain a zoning change which would allow for
construction of a restaurant/bar/grill facility at the Comal Settlement site of the former
historic Kneupper General Store (circa 1907). At Mayor Carpenter’s suggestion, the
Council agreed to take no action on the rezoning request at this time pending a possible
resubmission by Mr. Campos for a different type of rezoning consideration. Committee
Chairman Weirtz spoke in favor of allowing Mr. Campos to pursue his planned project as
a historic preservation initiative meant to assure retaining the property’s sense of historic
time, purpose, and place. We will keep you informed of events as they occur.
New initiatives for 2013 have begun to be worked by Committee members to include
reviving City staff involvement in revision of the Unified Development Code (UDC) to
incorporate policy and procedures for the historic preservation designation program,
proposing and supporting adoption of a City Coat of Arms, and development of a historic
photo album that captures City of Schertz history. The latter project could use your help
if you might have any historic (late 1800s to 1980s) photos of early Schertz history in
terms of its people, it places (buildings/structures) or its events that you would be willing
to donate (copies can be made). If you can donate something contact Dean Weirtz at Tel.
210-651-0394 or weirtz1@yahoo.com.
The Committee Chairman is scheduled to visit our sister-city historic society in
Riedisheim, France during May 2013. This will be the first visit to Riedisheim since
2009 when the Chairman was welcomed by the Mayor, City Council representatives and
Riedisheim historical society members. The trip offers the opportunity for our two
organizations to renew our continued commitment to mutual support and friendship.
The Spring edition of our Remembrances Special Edition articles #2013-4 thru #2013-
6 have been published. The titles include: Bicycling Into History; Our Neighbor’s Early
History – Cibolo, Texas; and, City Road Signs Reveal Meaningful Past – Pfeil Family.
Copies will be sent soon.
The City of Schertz Volunteer Open House event held on April 25, 2013 at the Schertz
Civic Center provided the Committee an outreach opportunity to advertise its activities
and spread awareness of the City’s historic preservation program.
The Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association was awarded a GVEC grant in
April that will help support the placement of a historic mural on the exterior (West side)
of the Randolph Masonic Lodge building situated at 507 Main Street. Keep watching for
the new mural to appear later this summer.
New banners will soon be delivered for use along Hwy. 78 advertising the Schertz
Heritage Neighborhood. The current banners are easily torn with high winds. The new
banners will be put in place as the old ones are removed because of damage and wear.