2015 Spring Remembrances Newsletter 1
Remembrances
Newsletter of the Schertz
Historical Preservation
Committee
Spring Edition
2015
At the April 2015 Committee meeting, the Schertz City Executive Director, Brian James briefed the Committee on the current status of the Main Street Historical Incentive Project. A Landmark Property plaque was presented to the homeowner at 509
Exchange Street. Committee member Barbara Hall gave a presentation regarding the Schertz City Mayor’s Community Initiative. This quarter’s Committee Remembrances Special Edition Articles 2015-2 and 2015-3,
titled: Schertz’s Famous Post WW II Resident – “The Rest of the Story” and School/City
Collaboration Promotes Heritage Theme are attached for your reading enjoyment. The Outreach Subcommittee concluded work on phase one of an initiative that involves city youth in the matters of Schertz history and city government (see Remembrances Article 2015-3 attached). On March 31, 2015, the Committee/School District historical
art and essay contest concluded phase one with an awards ceremony at the Schertz City Council meeting (see photos attached to Remembrances Article 2015-3). A historic city tour is planned for Corbett Junior High School gifted and talented social studies students in May as phase two of the project. Clemens High School National Honor Society
students conducted biographical survey interviews of Schertz senior citizens. The results
of the interviews have been made a part of the recently published Schertz photo history book. At its February 24, 2015 meeting, the Schertz City Council was presented with the
Committee’s Annual Report for 2014. At the same meeting the Council approved the
Committee’s recommendation for selection of the properties at 509 and 511 Exchange Street as “Landmark Properties”. Landmark Property is defined as: “Any property that presents itself as a unique feature of the City of Schertz landscape (community) due
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to either its nostalgic, aesthetic, architectural, or symbolic attributes and which could or
will have an enduring impact on the community’s cultural identity.”
The subcommittee assigned the task of evaluating the possibility of naming Schertz’s Aviation Heights Subdivision as the City’s second “Heritage Neighborhood” has set forth a plan for surveying the neighbors support for such a designation. The significance
of the neighborhood as relates to the City’s early history is set forth in Remembrances
Special Edition Article 2014-7. The Schertz photo history book has been completed and a limited number of copies have been published. The book surveys (through photos and sketches) Schertz history
from 1850 through 2010. A copy of the book will be placed at the Schertz Public
Library. The Committee’s Outreach Program adopted a restoration/preservation project during the month of October 2014 that entails assisting the small congregation of Vineyard
Fellowship Church (207 First Street) with the exterior restoration of its church building.
This church building is a designated Schertz Landmark Property based upon its early construction (approximately 1900) and its many uses in support of Schertz community life. The restoration effort has begun and exterior paint scrapping and the initial primer paint coat has been applied. Further progress awaits warmer weather.