2011 Spring Remembrances Newsletter 1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Spring Edition
2011
Dedication ceremony for Schertz’s first “Heritage Neighborhood” and “Landmark Property” Saturday, March 26, 2011, the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) held the dedication ceremony for the City’s first “Heritage Neighborhood” as designated by the Schertz City Council November 2, 2010. Also dedicated as a City of Schertz “Landmark Property” was the first Protestant church ever build (1904) in Schertz (201 Church Street). The ceremony was attended by approximately seventy persons who had
connections to the neighborhood or church. Historic plaques were unveiled for the neighborhood and the church as well as historic heritage banners placed on light poles at the entrance to the neighborhood. Plaques were also unveiled at the church recognizing its historic significance. Mayor Hal Baldwin read proclamations declaring the sites as historic. It was a wonderful and historic day for the City of Schertz.
Work underway for other “Landmark Property” and “Historic Cemetery” designation projects The SHPC voted at its April meeting to designate additional properties (homes) within
the newly designated “Heritage Neighborhood” as well as Saint Joseph’s Catholic Chapel (1905) of the former Comal Settlement (now Schertz, Texas) as “Landmark Properties”. Specifically, the homes at 401 First Street, 216 and 212 Lee Street, Schertz, Texas (see photos below) were approved for designation. Each home has a long and honored history. Saint Joseph’s Chapel dedication will occur on May 25, 2011 (10:00 AM) at the Chapel
site on Highway 482. Other designations within the “Heritage Neighborhood” are expected in the future. The long-term goal for the “Heritage Neighborhood” is to encourage residents to consider restoration and up-grading of properties as a means of preserving the historic value of the area.
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The newly annexed Comal community (Hwy 482 and Nacogdoches Road area) neighborhood has also been busy considering landmark designations. The Comal residents are currently working on applications for a State of Texas historic marker for the community and for Schertz City historic plaques for several old historic buildings in
the community. Work is also underway for State of Texas designation of the Wenzel
Cemetery (Comal Community) as historic. Cecilia Paz Mujica wins Fiesta Art Poster Competition 2011 Congratulations to our friend and fellow Schertz resident Cecilia Paz Mujica from the
“Heritage Neighborhood.” Cecilia was named winner of the 2011 Fiesta Poster Competition and her work is being seen everywhere (see Schertz Visitors Center exhibit). This is the second time she has won the competition (prior in 2008). She joins Schertz’s other four time winner (1998-2000 & 2010) Shelley Fluke in making our community
proud.
Schertz Railroad historical exhibit in place and growing at the Kramer House (Schertz Visitors Center) The railroad’s place in the history of Schertz is on display inside the Schertz Visitors
Center and soon an additional exhibit featuring a scale model of the old Schertz railroad bridge (donated by Malford Brehm) that served the railroad into the 1980s will be unveiled at an appropriate spot on the outside grounds of the Center. Stop by the Visitors Center and view these unique railroad exhibits and others that feature elements of Schertz
unique history. Our initiative to petition the Southern Pacific Railroad (SPR) for use of
property at the corner of Main Street and First Street (vacant lot owned by the SPR) for a RR museum was disapproved by the SPR. Spring Edition (2011) of Remembrances Special Edition Articles Published Special Edition Articles 2011-3 and 2011-4 are now published. The title of 2011-3 is “’Every Now and Then’ – History Proves its Value” and 2011-4 is titled “Schertz Volunteer Fire Department – Volunteerism At Its Best”.
Schertz Magazine (April Edition) Coverage of Senior Center Exhibits A great two-page article in the April Edition of Schertz Magazine featured the Committee’s historical exhibit at the Schertz Senior Center. .
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