2012 Summer Remembrances Newsletter 1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Summer Edition
2012
Historic Heat Wave May Be Ahead The weather is sometimes a history maker and this summer may just be the time for such
an event. As I write this entry the temperature is registering at 104 degrees and is listed as a record for this day (June 26, 2012). This is not the kind of history we desire to make or report upon. Pray for rain! Historic Landmark Dedication Program The Committee was poised to present three nominations for consideration as historic landmark properties to City Council at its May 1, 2012 meeting. However, issues arose the day of that meeting regarding State of Texas Municipal Code and Schertz City Code deficiencies which suggested temporarily ceasing the City’s landmark designation
program would be advisable. The City Council was told that until such time as the Schertz Unified Development Code (UDC) can be revised to incorporate historic designation criteria and processes that comply with the Texas State law there will likely be no further historic designation nominations submitted to City Council. Continuing discussions are taking place with Schertz city staff.
Saint Joseph’s Cemetery Historic Landmark Dedication Event a Success On Saturday morning, June 23, 2012, at 10:00 AM, citizens gathered at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery to celebrate with the four sponsoring organizations (Sts. Peter and
Paul Catholic Church/Schertz Historical Preservation Committee/Comal Settlement Association/Comal County Historical Commission) the dedication of the cemetery as a State of Texas and a City of Schertz designated historic landmark. The event entailed brief presentations on the history of the cemetery as well as the relevance of the ceremony in terms of ancestry, legacy and pride. The concluding act of the event was the
unveiling of the beautiful sandstone monument that contains the two historic markers
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designating the cemetery as historic. An on-site reception was held following the
programed activity. The nomination of Saint Joseph’s Cemetery as a historic landmark
property occurred prior to the above mentioned May 1st presentation to City Council.
Photos of Saint Joseph’s Cemetery Dedication Ceremony
City Sponsored Charrettes Conducted Involving Historic Areas Two of the City’s most historic areas were included as part of discussions led by a planning group (Gateway) hired by the City of Schertz to explore ideas for developing
downtown Main Street and the North Schertz Corridor along IH 35. These discussions
(referred to as a “Charrette”) were the planning group’s attempt to obtain citizen input on development planning. It will likely be at least six months before a final report with recommended design features is ready for submission to City Council. Summer Edition (2012) of Remembrance Special Edition Articles Published
Two articles were published this quarter. One article titled “Schertz Business Honors Historic Family Roots” deals with the Silver Tree Nursing Home’s inclusion of Schertz historic family and community history in the decoration of its facility. The second article
titled “Schertz” Comal County Historical Assets Garnering Attention” discusses the historic community of Comal Settlement. Elections Drawing Near Runoff elections for key regional and state offices occur in late July. We hope all will fulfill their duty as citizens of this great country and go to the polls.