2021 Winter Remembrances Newsletter1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Winter Edition
2021
The last Newsletter (October 2020) reported that the coronavirus pandemic was
weakening as America was coming closer to developing a vaccine. However, the
optimism of that time has been lessened by the rise in new infections in many
sectors of the nation. The good news is that the development of a vaccine has
occured and the delivery/immunization process is underway
The Committee’s special project of documenting the history of the response to the
pandemic by each level of government from federal to local (Guadalupe
County/Schertz City) has continued. As noted earlier, the report of the
Committee’s research has been divided into two parts. The first avenue of inquiry
was undertaken by Committee member Howard Alperin, the results of which
comprises Part I of the Remembrances Special Report 2020-5. Part II of
Remembrances Special Report 2020-5 provides reporting on the history of each
government entity’s involvement in the struggle to curtail spread and provide an
effective cure for the disease. The first installment for Part II reporting covers the
period from early 2020 when the pandemic struck the United States until
October 2020 when a noticeable downturn in infectious cases was underway in
the nation. The second installment of Part II reporting covers the period from
October 2020 until January 2021, a point in time when the virus was spreading
and a new strain of the virus was detected.
The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad Line caboose situated at
FM 78 has been designated as a historic museum venue. The caboose’s interior
décor has been video tapped and made available for public viewing at the City of
Schertz webpage under “Historical Preservation Committee.
The Committee has prepared its annual year-end report to City Council. That
report will be briefed to the Council in early February.
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Committee outreach has continued with the Cibolo Valley Community Museum
Association and the Schertz City Council’s Main Street Subcommittee. The
Association’s historic mural project at 206 FM 78 (Jodi Head Lopez Attorney
Office Bldg.) was completed in December and the mural depiction appears below:
The Main Street Subcommittee continues its staged improvement project work to
include road repair, bench/trash receptacle placements, historic statue
placements, etc.
Research continues regarding the historic nature of the home at 800 Roy
Richards Blvd. (Former Dietz family homestead) with possible nomination of that
home for Landmark designation should all indicators suggest it to be worthy of
the designation and owners agree to its designation.
A survey conducted by the Committee within the Aviation Heights Heritage
neighborhood has determined a need for additional historic banner placement
throughout the neighborhood. Placement of additional banners is to occur in the
first week of January 2021.
Exchange of season’s greetings between our Committee and our sister society
(the History Society of Riedishiem, France) occurred in December. The Society
provided an article regarding their historic railroad depot.
Committee officers for CY 2021 have been selected to fill the positions of
Chairman and Vice Chairman and the selectees are as
Chairman and as Vice Chairman.