2012 Winter Remembrances Newsletter 1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Winter Edition
2012
Steele High School Football Team State Class V Runner-ups Congratulations again this year to Steele High School for their historic accomplishment
of being crowned State Class V Football Runner-ups. It’s a great way to begin the new year and a historic accomplishment for a relatively new school. Committee Members Depart and Members Arrive The Committee lost two of its long-time members during the month of December. Two new members joined us (Jim and Diana Webb) and have begun contributing to our work. Best wishes and thanks to those who departed and welcome to those joining us. Historic Landmark Designations Approved by City Council On December 6, 2011, Schertz City Council approved four applications for historic landmark designations. The properties designated include three in Comal Settlement area and a fourth along Schertz Parkway. The Comal designations include the Friesenhahn Cotton Gin, the Alamo Schuezen Verien (Shooting Range) and Saint Joseph Cemetery.
The Schertz Visitors Center (AKA: Kramer House) that houses the Schertz Chamber of Commerce was the fourth property designated. Markers appear at each of the sites reflecting the historic status of the properties. Sister Historical Society (Riedisheim, France) Honors Schertz with Publicity The Riedisheim Historical Society has published its annual Bulletin and for the third year running has devoted space for a feature story regarding Schertz’s historic preservation program. Copies of the Bulletin were sent to the Committee with a letter updating us on the events occurring in Riedisheim.
2
Winter Edition (2012) of Remembrance Special Edition Articles Published
Special Edition Articles 2012-1 and 2012-2 are now published. The title of 2012-1 is “Mark Friensenhahn – Comal Settlement Preservationist Employs ‘Adaptive Use’ Land Management Principals”. Article 2012-2 is titled “Schertz Roadways – History Recalled”. We hope you enjoy both articles.
Committee Annual Report Approved for Submission to City Council The year-end annual report of Committee activity was approved for forwarding to City Council by the Committee at the January 2012 meeting. The report is available to all
Schertz citizens upon request.
Texas State Historic Designation Awarded to Saint Joseph Cemetery (Comal Settlement – now within the Schertz ETJ)
Thanks to Clarence Scheel for his outstanding research and writing effort that has led to
the award of the State of Texas Historical Cemetery designation for Saint Joseph Cemetery. The Schertz City Council has also designated the cemetery as a City historic landmark property. A formal dedication ceremony recognizing these two awards will occur in early February. The Comal County Commissioner’s Court has already presented
Clarence and Rusty Brandt proclamations for their work on the project.
Texas State Historic Designation and Marker Presentation for the Comal Settlement Community Remains Pending
We’re expecting an announcement from the Texas Historical Commission soon that
indicates that Comal Settlement area has been designated a State of Texas historic community and along with that designation the issuance of a Texas State marker. New Schertz Historical Exhibits Placed at the City Visitor’s Center (exterior grounds) and at Newly Established Coffee Cafe (Java Nook)
An exhibit in tribute to the former railroad bridge that served Schertz from 1889 until June 1988 has been put in place on the grounds of the Schertz Visitor’s Center (see photos below). The exhibit components were donated by Mr. & Mrs. Malford Brehm
(bridge) and Mr. and Mrs. Homer Dean (date plate). An additional exhibit featuring the
history of Randolph Air Base and the City of Schertz has been incorporated into the décor of the city’s newest coffee café (Java Nook) in the 500 block of Main Street.
3