2017 Fall Remembrances Newsletter 1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Fall Edition
2017
, In September, the Committee welcomed new member Rosalyn Wise, leaving one vacancy in the fourteen-member roster. Publication efforts were aided this period by the donation of a 38 page historical
manuscript written by Patricia Ezell, San Antonio Conservation Society’s Historic Farm and Ranches Complexes Committee. The manuscript, titled: Bracht-Stapper Farmstead,
Cemetery and Jacal, describes and discusses the ownership history of a historic home (Jacal) along the Cibolo Creek and a cemetery (Bracht-Stapper-Rhodius) close by the Jacal homesite. The Committee placed copies of the manuscript at the Schertz Public
Library and the Sophienburg Archives Museum at New Braunfels for use as public research. The quarterly REMEMBRANCES Special Edition Articles 2017-5 and 2017-6 were published and distributed to interested parties. Additional copies were placed at the
Schertz Public Library for patron pick-up. The twelve-rendition input for the 2018 “Looking Back” feature of the Schertz Magazine was produced and submitted for next year’s additions of the magazine.
An application for a Main Street Restoration Project Grant was submitted by the owner of the property at 817 Main Street. Our Committee examined the application and recommended approval by City Council. City Council approved the application. The winds and rains that were remnants of Hurricane Harvey caused some damage to the
banner inventory at the City’s two heritage neighborhoods. Replacement banners have been ordered and will soon be available for placement.
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Signage recognizing the route of the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas National Trail
through Schertz has been put in place in what was once called Comal Settlement (today
North Schertz) along FM 482.
The Committee participated in discussions regarding the disposition of the Lower Valley School Building situated at Northeast Lakeview College campus. It appears the iconic school house will soon be destroyed. (see REMEMBRANCE Article 2017-6).
The Committee conducted a review of its by-laws and amended portions of the document
where needed. The subcommittee studying membership in what is known as the Bibliotech Project has been meeting and making progress toward preparing committee documents and data for
placement on the “Biblioboard” for sharing with library users throughout Bexar County
and beyond. Restoration projects at two of the Committee’s satellite artifacts galleries required temporary removal of historic displays. The Schertz Senior Center began restoration
work in early June and all artifacts/photos were removed while work was underway.
Restoration work also began at Clemens High School library in June and the Committee’s two display cabinets had to be cleared for the project. We’ve since replaced the artifacts at Clemens High School and placed the Senior Center artifacts in storage until restoration projects are fully completed.
The Committee participated in the October 23rd Community Clean-up project at Pecan Grove Mobile Home Park . The Committee will participate in outreach events in early November to include: November 2nd – Judging of the SCUCISD Student Art & Essay Contest; November 4th – Clemens High School 50th Anniversary Celebration; November
4th – Presentation to the Schertz Genealogical Society on November 7th.
The Schertz photo history book remains on sale at the Schertz Public Library, the Schertz Visitors Center and the City Hall Water Department at a price of $25.