2010 Spring Remembrances Newsletterwelcome Spring -time
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Spring Edition
2010
What beautiful landscape we are seeing this spring after a long and wet winter season. If you haven't spent some time
on the roads looking at the colorful wildflowers you've missed something very special this year. Especially picturesque
is the road (Alt. Highway 90) leading from San Antonio to Gonzales and Shiner, Texas. But there are many others just
as lovely. There are many historical markers along that Highway 90 route as well. And, if you visit Shiner, Texas
don't just spend all your time at the Spoetzl Brewery since there is a great history museum (Wolters Memorial
Museum) for free viewing as well as the most beautifully designed and decorated Catholic church (more like a
cathedral) that has the most unbelievably beautiful alter and stained glass windows. Also springtime brings May
flowers and celebration of National Historic Preservation Month during the month of May.
Congratulations (and Thanks) Military Aviators
American military aviation celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The contributions of the men and women who
have served as military aviators and of those who have supported the military air missions are beyond any description.
Suffice it to say, that were it not for such brave and talented men and women our existence as a free and prosperous
nation would not have been possible. Our own Randolph Air Force Base has had a major role in supplying the training
for those aviators. We are proud that military aviation began its first operations (March 2, 1910) next door at Fort Sam
Houston and that the first military training flights likely flew immediately over the airspace that is now Schertz, Texas.
Many of the advances in the fields of agriculture, medicine, business, travel and of course military have resulted from
the work that has gone into aviation research. On March 3, 2010, Fort Sam celebrated the Foulois (Maj. Gen. Benjamin
Foulois) Centennial Military Flight Celebration in grand style by launching a replica of the Wright `B" Flyer from the
parade field at Ft. Sam.
Welcome Gift from the 1948 Era
There was a donation made to the Committee of a reproduced copy of the 1948 Farmers Rural Telephone Company
Directory. This is a gem of a directory. It not only records the names and telephone numbers (short and long rings) of
Schertz and neighboring community members but also identifies many of the business then in the area. Now, if we
could only find a place to display this and other artifacts.
Look For Remembrances Special Edition 2010 -1
As a part of National Historic Preservation Month (May 20 10) the Committee will publish its first special edition
newsletter. The topic will be "Remembrances of Old Town Schertz — Main Street, Schertz' First Transportation Czar ".
Other special edition articles will follow from time to time. Please e -mail us to let us know that you remain interested in
receiving future copies of these special edition articles as well as future Remembrances Quarterly Newsletters.
Committee By -Laws Changes Approved
Changes to the Committee By -Laws that involve authorizing the disposition of donated property, the frequency of
meetings, and the elimination of our accepting property on loan were discussed and approved at the February meeting.
Museum Development Planning
The Committee has a representative on the Schertz Blue Ribbon Bond Committee. That committee is considering
whether it is feasible for the City to propose a bond issue to its citizens that would include the funds for construction of
a history- heritage museum. At the moment, the prospects for such a bond issue are slight since there are many
competing quality of life projects (soccer field improvements, indoor swimming pool, covered pavilion, etc) that would
claim interest in being included in such a bond proposal but probably little apatite by the public for spending money for
such projects. Thus, we are at a near stand still in our search for a place to display the City's, area and the air base's
history.
Schertz Community Museum Association (SCMA) 501(c) (3)
Our application for non - profit status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been acknowledged as received. The
IRS indicates that it will begin its review of our application soon and will communicate its findings in the near future.
Schertz Historic Neighborhood and Historic District Proposal Work
Preliminary survey work done by the Committee in the vicinity of Schertz' oldest neighborhood (South of Hwy 78
enclosed by Mill St., Zuehl St. and the Cibolo Creek) and its oldest commercial area (500 block of Main St.) suggests
that the two may be good candidates for designating as "heritage neighborhood" and a "historic business district ",
respectively. The first step towards such a project is to have the City's Unified Development Code (UDC) amended to
reflect how such designations would be handled within the City. The neighborhood has structures (old Methodist
Church (circa 1904), Gerlich, Schulz & Co. Mercantile (circa 1910) and a few houses still standing that represent the
earliest residential structures built in Schertz. Some of the homes in the neighborhood were occupied by early leaders
of the community (Wuest, Wiederstein, Pfeil, Bolton, etc.). The commercial business district on Main St. (500 block)
has the former Schertz Mercantile Building (circa 1916) and the building that housed the first Schertz City Hall, fire
station, police department, and library building (circa 1958).
Welcome to the Hispanic Heritage Center of Texas
The Hispanic Heritage Center of Texas has recently been created in San Antonio. The Center will eventually consist of
a museum, a world -class research library, archival space and a vibrant Tejano Living Heritage Village.
Congratulations!
California Man "Top Banana" in Museum World
The March 23, 2010 issue of the Wall Street Journal (page 1) reported on the demise of a thirty -eight year old (1972)
museum project in Hespeia, CA. (town of 85,000) owned by Ken Bannister. The "Banana Club & Museum" as the
museum is called claims a collection of over 17,000 banana - themed artifacts. But the fruit has apparently spoiled and
Mr. Bannister is now selling the museum's assets since the land will be put to another use. As silly as the idea of a
"banana" museum sounds, the fact is that there are other such "fruit' ' and "vegetable" museums around the world. In
England, reports the Journal, is the Carrot Museum that boasts more than 1,000 items. There is the National Apple
Museum of Bigerville, PA. And the Vidalia Onion Museum in Georgia which will soon open a new 1,500 square foot
addition. We promise a "no food allowed" museum environment if and when we open a Schertz - Randolph AFB
museum.
E -Mail Addresses Appreciated
If you receive this Newsletter and have an e -mail address, we would be appreciative of receiving that address so future
issue of the Newsletter can be sent to you via e -mail. Please e -mail your address to weirtzl ci�yahoo.com. If you no
longer wish to receive this newsletter, just let us known via an e -mail message. Thanks.
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