2011-8 Remembrances Special Edition 1
City of Schertz - Remembrances Publication Special Edition 2011- 8
Presented by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Schertz Senior Center and Visitors Center Feature City’s History Sometimes events come full circle and surprise the observers by the eventual outcomes. Such has been the case with the efforts of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in their three-year attempt to locate a facility for a Schertz historical and heritage
museum. The first proposal offered the Committee three years ago was space in the old Schertz Public Library building. That offer was kept alive for nearly a year and one-half until it was decided that other uses for the space would be more advantageous to the community. The Committee then explored a renovation project of a city owned home and discovered the expense too great to undertake. Next came the possible passage of a bond
issue for the construction of a fine arts and historical museum. The bond issue failed to gender enough voter support leaving the Committee without hope of an alternative solution to its venue search. But, “hope springs eternal” as the old saying goes and before long ‘necessity met opportunity’ as the newly opened Schertz Senior Center began searching for a solution to filling the space on its attractively renovated but empty wall
spaces. Then Senior Center Director Ida Hardy met with the Committee Chairperson Dean Weirtz and together they plotted a plan for decorating the Center with historical exhibits reflective of the early history of the Schertz community. Decorating began in early January 2011 and has culminated in a mini-gallery of early Schertz history that is captivating the interest of Senior Center members and visitors alike.
The gallery’s decor ranges in its historical perspective from the time Native American Indians occupied the area through the mid-1950s. The story of Schertz’s founding is set forth in a series of short narrative exhibits grouped together yet separated by subject into two separated historical periods - “Republic of Texas Years 1836-1845” and the
“Settlement Years 1850-1890”. A follow-on exhibit tracks the founding families of Schertz from their homeland locals of Germany and Alsace France to the Texas gulf coast. A special portrayal of the cultural, social and environmental composition of the Riedisheim (Alsace) France locale is featured since the ancestors of three of Schertz’s prominent families (Schertz, Mergeles and Rittimanns) all originated from or near that
specific location. Additional exhibit groupings reveal, in picture and narrative form, the life and times of early Schertz settlers from the turn of the 20th century, through the arrival of Randolph Field, to the development of commerce and educational institutions. Due to limited wall space of the Senior Center not all of Schertz’s storied history can be
exhibited. But that which is on exhibit is well worth a trip to see.
More of the City’s historical past has been proudly put on exhibit at the Schertz Visitor’s Center (Kramer House). The exhibits featured at that location include: 1) Schertz railroad history 2) “Hollowed Grounds” – The story of historic Schertz burial grounds 3) Schertz post office history (1882 – present). Most recently, a railroad exhibit has been
placed along the Kramer House walkway that features a replica of the old bridge that for
decades supported passage of trains moving across Cibolo Creek.
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Placement of Schertz historical exhibits in the Senior Center has brought the search for a home for these items full circle. The Senior Center is in fact situated in the old Schertz Public Library, the original planned location for these and other exhibits. The Preservation Committee is proud to be partnering with the Senior Center in promoting the
story of Schertz’s early history. It seems a fitting match for the community’s senior
citizens to be custodians of the relics and photos that represent the history of their city.
Stop by the Senior Center when you have the chance and enjoy the exhibits.