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2011 Fall Remembrances Newsletter 1 Remembrances Newsletter of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Fall Edition 2011 Dedication ceremonies for Schertz “Landmark Properties” There were two dedication ceremonies conducted in October. One ceremony recognized the Schertz Homestead as a historic landmark property. The Schertz Senior Center was the location of that dedication event. Six Schertz descendant families representing three different generations of the family ranging in age from 97 to 15 attended the celebration. The second dedication was held at the home of Hank and Susan Seekatz during a Comal Settlement Association meeting. Three Comal area properties were dedicated as landmark properties. Those three properties were: Mark Friesenhahn’s home at 231 High Creek Road, Comal County Texas, the Wenzel-Schwab Blacksmith Shop (Comal Co.), and, the Sahm-Schaefer Homestead (Comal Co.). There will be yet a fifth dedication in early November recognizing the Randolph Masonic Lodge Building (former William Schertz Mercantile Building), 507 Main Street, as a historic landmark building.. Nominations for Additional Schertz “Landmark Properties” Four nomination packages were presented to the Committee at its October 27th meeting. The packages applied to the following properties: Schertz Visitors Center (Kramer House), Wenzel/St. Joseph’s Cemetery (Comal Co.), Friesenhahn Cotton Gin (Comal Co.), and, Alamo Schuetzen Verein (Comal Co.). The Committee approved each of the applications and all will be presented to Schertz City Council for approval in early November. “French Connection” Publicizes Committee Dedications and Activities in their Annual Bulletin Recent month’s Committee landmark property dedication activities have garnered attention and publicity abroad. The Riedisheim, France (Alsace Province) Historical Society is our Committee’s “sister society” and as such we maintain contact in order to 2 foster better understanding between our two nations citizens and to encourage each society’s efforts in the area of historic preservation. This month (October) the Riedisheim Society published its annual “Bulletin” that contains many significant articles of historical interest to the Riedisheim and Alsace Province areas. Incorporated in the Bulletin is a three page article (with multiply color photos) on Schertz’ historical landmark dedication activities. The “sister society” relationship results from the discovery that three of Schertz’ founding families originated there trip to the New World (and Texas) from Riedisheim (Alsace Provence). The three families were the Schertz’, Rittimanns and Mergeles. Comal Settlement Association (CSA) CSA is the name adopted by the former Comal Settlement residents (now Schertz or its ETJ jurisdiction via annexation) who are pursuing historic dedication status for key historic assets within their community area. The application for a State of Texas subject marker has been submitted to the Texas Historical Commission by our Committee. The application for State historical designation of the Wenzel/Saint Joseph Cemetery has been approved by the State of Texas and a Schertz application for historic landmark designation has been submitted for local consideration. Schertz Railroad history and historic display placements capture REMEMBRANCES articles headlines Did you know that with the annexation of territory to the north of town (Comal Settlement area) that Schertz now has three different railroad lines running through town? Their histories are told in REMEMRANCES Article 2011-9. The resting place for Schertz historic artifacts and photo histories now can be seen at Schertz Senior Center and Schertz Visitors Center as reported in REMEMRANCES article 2011-8. Enjoy the articles. Historic railroad bridge model and bridge date plate positioned on the outside grounds of the Kramer House (Schertz Visitor’s Center) A six foot long and two feet high model of the original railroad bridge that spanned Cibolo Creek in Schertz from the early 1900s until the 1980s has been placed on the grounds of the Schertz Visitors Center for all to admire. Setting in front of the model bridge is a portion of the original bridge that contains the bridge date plate (1899). A Schertz historic marker sits beside the model that tells the story of the bridge’s historic beginnings and service to the railroad over the years. The model was donated to the City of Schertz by Mr. and Mrs. Malford Brehm. John’s Farm Welding manufactured the model bridge. The date plate was donated Mr. and Mrs. Homer Dean. Inside the Kramer House is a railroad historical exhibit that outlines the history of Schertz railroad development. Stop by the Kramer House and view the new historical exhibit. This exhibit project was accomplished by the Committee with the assistance of the Schertz Parks and Recreation management and staff. 3 “Hail and Farewell” to Committee newcomers and departees Two long-time Committee members will depart our ranks in the next couple of months and two new members have joined in recent months. Andreas Wooten and Patricia (Pat) Ramirez will be leaving our group and Jim and Diana Webb have joined the group. History made with summer heat wave Not the kind of historical record we want to see repeated. This was a terrible summer in terms of heat and draught. Thank God for the recent rains. Keep it up!