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2020 Spring-Summer Remembrances Newsletter1 Remembrances Newsletter of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Spring/Summer Edition 2020 Like all business and social groups, our Committee has been under quarantine for the past few months due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Our Spring meeting was cancelled and participation in any outreach activity was impossible. However, a few members kept in contact and even did some research work. The Committee received some unwelcome news this Spring in the form of the resignation of our Committee Chairperson, Elizabeth Strong. Elizabeth received an offer for a teaching position in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and she accepted. She will be missed. We wish her success in her new position. Elizabeth was a transforming force for the Committee as she introduced the membership to the 21st century communication links of the various social media outlets. She also introduced the Committee to Native American cultural traditions and personalities. Remembrances Special Edition Articles 2020-2, 2020-3 and 2020-4 have been published and are attached to the newsletter. The Remembrances 2020-5 article is to be designated as a coronavirus 2020 special report that traces the activities of the federal, state (Texas), and local (Guadalupe County and Schertz City) government jurisdictions in response to the pandemic. That report will be provided to the Schertz Public Library for placement in its historic research archive files for use by future researchers who might be interested in a single source that discusses the various jurisdictions responses to the pandemic. The Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association (CVCMA) continued to develop historical exhibits for placement in the newly redesigned Guadalupe County Service Center and in the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio (G,H, & S.A.) railroad caboose that sits adjacent to the Service Center Building. The project was the inspiration of Guadalupe County Commissioner Jim Wolverton. Commissioner Wolverton oversaw the restoration of both the Center and the caboose. The exhibit placement project at both facilities was completed, with assistance of many community volunteers, during the early months of the pandemic. The overall theme of the exhibits at the Service Center features an early historical review of architecture and persons in place throughout the Cibolo Valley communities of Selma, Schertz, Cibolo, Santa Clara, and Marion, Texas. Additionally, a portion of the exhibit space is devoted to early development of military 2 flight and flight training at Randolph Air Base. The exhibits contained within the railroad caboose tell the story of one of the first railroad lines to enter Texas (G.H. & SA) and its first passage through Schertz in 1877. The caboose exhibits also celebrate the significance of the railroad’s economic and social importance to the Cibolo Valley area. The County Service Building exhibits are available for viewing any time the Center is open. The caboose exhibits are open for small group viewing by contacting Dean Weirtz at Tel. 210-651-0394 for an appointment tour. CVCMA approached of the management of Tropical Smoothy Café (IH 35) with a proposal for placing historical Schertz exhibits on two interior walls of the restaurant. The management welcomed the offer and the Association placed a portion of its Schertz historical exhibits thereon (see below photos). A couple of Clemens High School seniors bid farewell to their classmates in a unique celebratory way by placing an artistic graffiti mural on the west wall of the Schertz Law Office at 206 FM 78. The mural was the idea and product of Clemens High School seniors Morgan Householder (pictured left) and Hanah Lopez (pictured right) both of whom serve as interns for the Jodi Head Lopez and Associates Law Firm. The law firm’s owner approved the graffiti project and has committed to an eventual replacement mural that will celebrate some aspect of the City of Schertz’ history. The Committee looks forward to collaborating with the firm in development and production of the historic mural. 3 Clemens Seniors Morgan Householder (L) and Hanah Lopez (R) Graffiti Mural Committee member Daniel Bourgeois was nominated and selected unanimously for the position of Committee Chairman. The Committee’s Christmas in July Schertz history book sale (narrative and photo book) is underway. Either book makes a wonderful Christmas gift for you or a friend/family member. Just reply to this email with your address and a book (or books) will be sent postage paid. Book cost will be $15 (narrative) and $25 ( full color photo history). Pay only after book(s) received. Books are high quality and offer a complete coverage of Schertz history.