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2022-1 Remembrances Special Edition City of Schertz Remembrances Special Edition Article 2022-1 Presented by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee & Cibolo Historical Society Cibolo Valley at Mid-Century The Decade of the 1950s Authors – Judy Womack & Dean Weirtz Photos – Lula Mae Schertz Illustrators – Christa Garcia & Crystal Engelken 2 On August 20, 1904, Phemon Sowell, a writer for the Seguin Enterprise, published an article in which he reported that writer William Sydney Porter (pen name: O. Henry) considered that the Cibolo Valley landscape possessed such natural beauty that it served as the inspiration for descriptive passages in a number of his many short stories. Of course, Porter (B: 1862/D1910), traveled through and observed a somewhat different Cibolo Valley landscape than that of the 1950s period. The two Western Guadalupe County settlements within the Cibolo Valley that were then developing as incorporated cities were Schertz and Cibolo, Texas. These two cities were destined to change the complexion of the western portion of the county. This publication recounts features of the life and times of the 1950s in those two Cibolo Valley communities. Nationally, the 1950s were a mix of world leadership role adoption by the United States, a booming national economy, racial unrest, and consumer consumption. The 1950s also witnessed the decade of the baby boomers (4 million births a year during the 1950s). These latter phenomena, along with the construction of interstate highways set the stage for a transformation of life as it had been underway in many of America’s rural settlements, including Schertz and Cibolo, Texas. As the decade began the following were in place: Harry Truman had been president for five years. Stamps were three cents. Allan Shivers had been governor of Texas for a year, And Cibolo had a population of 300, while Schertz’s population was at approximately 800. From its beginning in 1845, the Cibolo Valley proved to be a good place to raise a family. The territory provided fertile farmlands and its creeks provided the necessary water for raising crops. The Valley was also close enough to larger towns like San Antonio and New Braunfels, Texas, allowing easy access to special events held in those places. By 1950, both Cibolo and Schertz had established communities with a Main Street and houses on nearby residential streets. In the early 1950s, Cibolo boasted of having nine different businesses to include: Red and White Grocery Store, Red Ball Café, and two other such dining businesses, and Cibolo Mercantile (managed by Harry Schartz). George Bolton kept a small drug store. Emil Wiederstein owned the lumberyard, two meat markets, pool hall, a bakery, two mechanics, and a sewing shop. August Uhr was night watchman but rarely had an incident to report. Fritz Werner's gas station had been one of the first 3 “filling stations” in the area, operating the Gulf Station until 1970 and being named at that time as the oldest continually operating Gulf station in the United States. But in 1950 it was a place to get gas for twenty-seven cents a gallon and of course complimentary road maps. Gulf Oil was a major oil company and projected confidence in the future of small communities like Cibolo. Robert Shaud had been an attendant at the filling station and provided full service by filling the gas tank, wiping the windshield, and checking the tires without your having to leave your car. It was service. Cibolo Cotton Gin Cibolo Bank Building, Main Street Cibolo Saloon St. Paul’s Church, Cibolo Schertz, too, developed a business center early on in its development (1900 – 1930). The Schertz family took the lead in establishment of business ventures that would prove vital to the community’s prosperity and growth. Sebastian Schertz operated a major farming operation and built the first cotton gin, and his sons established a mercantile, post office, water & electric distribution, and led the movement for telephone line operations within the community. The grandson of Adolph Schertz (Walter A. Schertz) won approval from the federal government for Veterans Administration Loan approvals pertaining to properties within the Schertz community which proved vital to the housing boom that arose during the 1950s and 1960s in neighborhoods such as Aviation Heights and Lone Oak. Schertz Starlite Drive-In Ol’ Bossy Creamery Schertz Depot Schertz Methodist Although much sewing was done in Cibolo Valley homes, there was sometimes a need for special tailoring or even an unusual dress to be made. In Cibolo, Javita Martinez and Maria Areals were well- known seamstresses. It was important to look good, so if an item was bought at a store, it often came to these ladies to be fitted just right. Other businesses on Main Street were owned and operated by Howard Schneider, Richard Wuest, and Walter Merwin. There was never a traffic jam or problem getting something from a store on the street. In Schertz, the William Schertz Mercantile Store had long provided for the needs of farmers and seamstresses alike. But big box stores began to push the mercantile operators out of business, and by the 1950s, folks had ample choices for satisfying their purchasing needs. The Mercantile store became a hardware operation by the 1950s (Ace and later Sipple’s). 4 William Schertz Mercantile/Ace & Sipple’s Hardware E.H. Schlather & Sons Feed Store, Main St., Cibolo Post office operations were handled by appointed postmasters who changed from time to time, as did their offices. The postmaster had his or her office during the period within his or her business establishment which meant that the position was a part-time assignment. In 1950 Cibolo, the Postmaster was Fredrich Wiedner, Jr. Each postmaster made sure that letters and packages were provided to citizens in a timely manner. Home delivery began in March of 1967. The longest serving postmaster was Schertz’s Emil Gerlach who served twenty-four years in the position. A trip to San Antonio, New Braunfels or Seguin took some driving time, so ordering items out of catalogues via mail from Sears-Roebuck or Montgomery Wards was helpful. Almost every family kept a catalogue in their home. Grocery stores were important for those who did not raise and can their own food. There would always be the excitement of seeing things not grown in the garden and now available on the shelves. For the first time, there were frozen products under the label of Birds Eye, and that meant a big change in the choice of food for a family. HEB in San Antonio was beginning to be a store to visit because the variety was greater than the groceries in Cibolo or Schertz. But prices were similar in both spots (Miracle Whip—49 cents; pork and beans—10 cents; coffee—75 cents). Miller's Grocery and Schlather's Red and White Store were Cibolo’s busiest businesses on Saturday when housewives came to pick out what they needed for the next week. The same held true for the Red & White Store in Schertz which the Beck brothers operated. Some were worried that a new dry spell was setting in to make the weather less than desirable, never knowing that it would be spoken of later in headlines as: “Drought Damage in Billions Scars Southwest Area” or described it as, “The Great Dry Up.” Another weather threat to Valley farmers was flooding. The 1958 flood left many Schertz and Cibolo residents soaked with water that arose from the creeks and rivers that flowed through the area. Citizens of the Valley were used to good years and bad and tried to plan for whatever weather was sent to them. It was never easy. On periodic trips to San Antonio, Valley citizens would sometimes stop for lunch at Bun 'N Barrel on the Austin Highway known for its bar-b-que sandwiches. It was always an inexpensive, but good- tasting meal. Or they might go to the Olmos Pharmacy Diner to get a chocolate/vanilla soda at its soda fountain. Farmers sometimes took their meat to the Icehouse in New Braunfels for storage until they needed it and might have it smoked. Whenever the farmers felt like rewarding themselves, they would 5 eat at the New Braunfels Smokehouse. A serious world event took place on June 25, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. It would draw the United States into the conflict and send soldiers to stop the aggression that had been placed on a peaceful nation. Cibolo and Schertz area young men were in service and sadly, some were wounded and/or killed before the war ended. In 1941, Cibolo's Grange consolidated community activities and guided worthwhile projects so that anyone in Cibolo or surrounding parts could feel connected to the residents around them. Meeting first at the school, then Crescent Bend Dance Hall, the Grangers secured a building in 1947 from Camp Smith near Austin which had been home to German POWs during World War II. The cost was very affordable. The land was donated at the end of Main Street by Ernst Schlather, so the building was moved by truck slowly and carefully down the highways to its resting spot. From that day on, the Grange building was in constant use by people from all parts around it. The Grange building was the only place where large numbers of people could gather for family reunions, political discussions, informational workshops, or fund-raising activities. The Grange also sponsored a monthly fifteen- minute radio program on Radio Station KWED in Seguin, participated in 4-H programs, organized a junior Grange to give school-age children special projects, held blood drives, vaccinated dogs, and had entertaining events for everyone to enjoy. It was the lifeblood of Cibolo. Meanwhile, in Schertz, the upstairs of the William Schertz building was used as a community dance hall until it was discovered that the flooring may not be structurally sound enough to hold large crowds of dancers. But a park system was developing along Cibolo Creek that would provide entertainment for lots of families and kids. 6 The Grange members were well aware of problems with the way those in Cibolo wanted to travel. This was why they sent a strongly worded message to their state and county representatives in 1950 which read as follows: “For over a period of years, the Cibolo Grange, along with civil minded persons, urged our county officials to recommend to the state of Texas a farm-to-market road from Cibolo to the San Antonio-Austin Highway. The road will be finished July 1st. Now our connecting road will no longer be a dumping ground.” So, at last, there was a smooth road that left Cibolo and got the driver closer to other places. Since it would be clearly marked as a farm-to-market road, perhaps now people would not throw away large objects and trash along the roadside. There was always pride in the Valley, and this road would continue to show that they wanted a clean environment. Movement in late 1950s was easier than it had been before, although citizens were content to remain in Cibolo Valley and enjoy the peace and quiet. There was, however, always some good music and good times at the Crescent Bend Dance Hall or the Top Hat Dance Hall in Marion. Both places could be used for an evening's outing without much cost. They had no way of knowing that a young airman named Johnny Cash was taking his basic training at Lackland and was dating a San Antonio girl and that three years later his music would start to become some of their favorites. Schools had always been important to those in the Valley, beginning with the first teacher, August Schmitz, who was paid approximately $30 monthly. The first permanent school recognized by the state was in the Lower Valley (the common name for Cibolo in 1877). As settlers increased, the number of children in school grew with structures being built in Green Valley, Cibolo Valley, and Schertz. The Lower Valley School was on the banks of the Cibolo. In 1941, teachers Maxine and Lutrell Watts came to direct the learning of those students of school age in the area. There had been school buildings before the Watts' arrival. In 1917, Schertz Primary School was constructed on Main Street in Schertz. A new two-story brick schoolhouse was built in 1916 in Cibolo for grades 1-11. The latter school would eventually be called Schertz-Cibolo High School. The area school development in the 1950s was being led by Superintendent Clarence Shelton. Lower Valley School, District #33 (circa 1866-1967) In 1950-51, ten seniors were pictured in the annual. Sports included basketball, football, volleyball, and softball. The school won district honors in basketball. But the strongest “sport” enjoyed by students was one that involved animals. “Donkey basketball” and “donkey baseball” drew crowds whenever they were held. It was a fun experience in communities of all sizes and continued through the mid- 7 1950's. In donkey baseball, batter, pitcher, and catcher were not on a donkey, but other players were. Once the batter hit the ball, he would then mount a donkey and try to run the bases before the other players could tag him. Sometimes a company would provide trained donkeys for a small fee, and the event was usually a fundraiser of some kind meant to be good family entertainment. In 1952, the high school was moved to Main Street in Schertz. The original building had four classrooms and an auditorium with a wood stove which was the accepted way to heat any school room. It was called Schertz-Cibolo High School and had intramurals, a Halloween carnival, sausage suppers, football, basketball (for which they again won the district title), 4H clubs, a senior play, track, a prom, and a number of charity events. Students helped the Cibolo Grange collect 875 pounds of scrap to be sold, and they helped to mark even more parallel parking spots on Cibolo’s Main Street. But the big news was that a Cibolo Community Fair would be held on August 12 of 1953, the first ever. There would be displays of animals, items made by hand, baked goods, and farm products. Community planning and cooperation would be necessary under the leadership of the Grange to make this event come to reality in its first year. August 12 arrived, and organizers were certainly pleased with the participation. Chairman Elmo Rust from the Cibolo Grange had said an effective fair “must be planned on a grass roots basis, with as much local participation as possible.” And with the opening of the fair, the words he had said certainly came true to the delight of all those who came. Eleven divisions included livestock, swine, poultry and rabbits, field crops, handwork, clothing, baked goods, canned foods, vegetables, art, crafts, and commercial exhibits. There were more than 300 entries, so the volunteer planning and organizing had been a success. By the end of the day and the bar-b-que that night, 2,200 people had attended at a time when Cibolo's population was less than 350 people. One of the most popular divisions was baked goods, which were bread, cakes, pies, and one special section, which was an un-iced chocolate cake, baked in a 9-inch pan. Entrants had to show that the cake was prepared and presented with a Betty Crocker recipe and show a copy of the recipe. Food had always been important in the life of those who lived near Cibolo Creek from the time of the Tonkawas who used every part of things that grew or walked on the land. They made pemmican out of dried buffalo, cured their venison, and grilled cactus paddles. Next the Vaqueros who came to tend great herds of cattle feeding on fine Valley grass cooked javelina, pan de campo, armadillo, pozole dojo, and ash cake. Finally, out of the first wave of almost 6,000 German immigrants who landed on Texas shores, there were less than half who made it to the Cibolo Valley after enduring malaria, cholera, dysentery, and yellow fever on the coastline of Texas where they had arrived with no transportation to get them where they wanted to be. Once they were in the Lower Valley they made souse, scrapple, bratwurst, mincemeat and vowed they would never go hungry again. In the year 1953-54, the Senior Class numbered 19, and all grades were aware of the severe drought that most of Texas was experiencing. Farmers were trying to manage as best they could as the days wore on with little or no rain. On July 17, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, and one of the most destructive conflicts in modern times had ended. Over 36,000 Americans had been killed, and all the world was glad to see a time of peace. Cibolo Valley residents celebrated with services at schools and churches. Cibolo Grange gave out information about the threat of polio which seemed more evident in summer months. Mothers everywhere worried about their children getting summer colds that would rage into the terrible condition for which there was no cure. Large gatherings were discouraged because the hot 8 months often marked the worst number of infections. More than 3,000 deaths would be counted in America in 1953 because of it. But unknown to the people in the Valley, Dr. Jonas Salk, who had been quietly working on a vaccine for ten years, was given permission to test his vaccine in a human trial. He began the tests using his own three sons and 7,500 Pittsburg schoolchildren. People living in the Valley, nor the rest of the world, did not know he was on the verge of finding an answer for the terrible condition that had ravaged the world since 1898. In 1954, a new musical revolution appeared throughout the United States of America, it was called - ROCK N ROLL! The first use of the name in 1954 came as the lead in a music arrangement was a guitar with an accent of backbeat on the drums. There might be one or two electric guitars, and music by Bill Haley of “Rock Around the Clock” was something all students heard on radio stations. Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry were soon added to the list of names that were favorites. It was loud, and parents probably thought or hoped it wouldn't last as their children listened to KWED in Seguin or the San Antonio stations. Even electing Dwight Eisenhower by a wide majority in Guadalupe County and the Valley hadn't seemed to stop the change in the world of music or fashion. In 1955, maybe the biggest change in the music of the times was an explosion that few saw coming. It was a sound and an entertainer that would make some church goers believe the world was coming to an end- IT WAS ELVIS. Elvis had been an unknown entertainer outside the South until he signed a contract with RCA Victor Records in January 1956. That same month Elvis came to San Antonio as part of a Grand Ole Opry Show but not as the headliner. Three months later, he was the darling of girls everywhere including Schertz/Cibolo and brought his own show to the Municipal Auditorium. Station KTSA in San Antonio had a contest, and the prize was a chance to meet Elvis and spend time with him after his show. Any girl who entered the contest wrote a letter saying why she wanted to meet him and why she should be picked as the winner among all those who entered. Valley girls must have poured over papers to come up with just the right words to put in a letter in hopes of winning the magic date with Elvis. Carolyn Crawford, a grandmother today who lives in New Berlin, remembers that night in April 1956 with special fondness. Her aunt had saved money for the $1.75 tickets for herself and Carolyn, convinced Carolyn's parents that it would be safe, and headed to the Auditorium with her younger niece. Carolyn doesn't know how her aunt managed it, but the two of them were on the front row along with the 12,000 in attendance, all screaming his name and dancing in the aisles with every song. After an earlier matinee performance, Elvis and his manager had thought he would sign some autographs at a table in the lobby. But girls had stormed the table, so he retreated to his dressing room and skipped the autograph time. Girls who had pushed their way to get close to him broke into tears, and when Carolyn and her aunt arrived early, they saw the weeping teenagers and hoped it wasn't a foreshadowing of a bad experience of some kind. They joined the others who sat through the opening acts, waiting for the moment he would take the stage. When he arrived on stage, Carolyn said the screams and cries were so loud that it was hard to hear him even though she and her aunt were on the front row. He sang, played the guitar, did his special dance, and smiled for over an hour while twelve policemen kept the crowds of girls from rushing on to the stage. Elvis walked off to the wings, and thousands of girls continued to call his name until they knew he was really gone. Carolyn and her aunt stayed still, trying to soak up what they had just experienced and would remember the rest of their lives. Elvis had left the building. In 1956, Fall began with 28 seniors pictured in the high school annual. President Eisenhower was re- elected in a landslide victory. Lower Valley School continued in the 2-room school building at Lower Seguin Road and Haeckerville Road. It had been a stage stop in very early years as travelers made their 9 way through the Valley, but school was still important for grades 1-10. Grades 11-12 came into Schertz- Cibolo High School. One situation had gotten the attention of every resident of Cibolo because of its danger. This was how it was reported: “One night during the cold winter the telephone began to ring. Six Grange members and their families answered the call to help fight a fire which was burning one of the larger barns in the community.” Structures in the Valley were always in danger of fire, and the need for a volunteer fire department had first been seriously discussed in 1952. It would take hours of planning, meetings, and fundraisers to raise enough money to purchase equipment that would save the lives of the 500 families in the Cibolo area and many more in Schertz. On February 8, 1956, a proposal was made by Schertz leaders that Schertz and Cibolo pursue a joint volunteer fire fighting organization. Cibolo rejected the proposal in favor of establishing its own volunteer fire fighting force. Thus, began fundraising activities within Cibolo such as sausage suppers which would require two or three days of preparation. Eventually, there was enough money raised to purchase a 1956 Ford two-ton chassis. In a gesture that represented the spirit of Cibolo, one hundred families pledged enough support to buy a 500-600 pumper that could be put on the chassis. Cibolo Grange volunteered 2,000 hours of time in support of the Fire Department creation. On Christmas Eve, Grange members and non-members who were local firemen dug trenches and poured cement in the dark for the concrete firehouse foundation. Meanwhile, Schertz moved forward with the creation of its own volunteer fire department. Richard Schertz and his son Ottomar donated land on Main Street, Schertz for placement of the fire department (now the Randolph Realty Office). By January 1958, a volunteer-constructed fire truck was in use. Archie Woodward was named Schertz Fire Chief and Odo Reidel was named Schertz Fire Marshal. Lower Valley community was the site of much activity during the early part of the twentieth century. Besides the Lower Valley Schoolhouse, it was a post office stop between San Antonio and Seguin. Several first families lived and farmed in the community to include Jacob Pfiel, William Seiler, Carl Conrad, D. Brotze, F. Weyel, Jacob Schlather, George Schlather, J.G. Bergfeld, A. Rittiman, A. Schmitz, H. Stolte, J. Schulz, William Haecker, T.L . Stapper, C. Voges, and O.J. Stapper, There had been a grocery store, sawmill, blacksmith shop, livery stable, a small hotel, and cotton gin. But the community had declined since its peak in the early 1900s. A residence for teachers was provided, and Lutrell and Maxine Watts saw to the educational experience of the students beginning in 1941. Mr. Watts served as a teacher and coach, and Mrs. Watts was teacher and performing arts coordinator. The porch of the school building became the stage for players or operettas. There was no gym, but there was a volleyball court and baseball diamond. A banner year was coming for the Valley in 1957. Headquarters Air Training Command was moved to Randolph Air Base, and Pat Booker Road which was constructed in 1935 was improved and would be another way for Cibolo Valley residents to move about. Price Daniel became the new Texas governor replacing Allan Shivers. And there was a concentrated effort to turn East Avenue in Austin into an interstate highway. Some thought it wouldn't be used enough for the very expensive cost, but others thought it might be a better way to travel. It would be numbered and called Inter-State 35. One famous event was the last episode of “I Love Lucy.” Now that televisions were more available, Cibolo Valley residents had grown to be big fans of that program as had the nation. 10 Another Community Fair was held in August 1957, and once again there were record crowds attending. This time there were 15 commercial booths, 53 canned goods, 24 baked goods, 82 arts and crafts, 44 handiwork, 10 garments, 20 flower arrangements, 31 vegetables, and 44 crops to be displayed. The weather had been unusually hot and dry, so Grange members worked hard to see that organization made it easy for people to come and view the items. The telephone display was of particular interest because of changes that were coming. The Farmers Rural Telephone system had begun with 16 farmers, a box with 3 keys, and lines strung over barbed wire fences. Certain residents had a particular ring to their phones, long or short, in the earliest days. It was one of the largest privately owned telephone companies in the country. Negotiations were underway to sell the organization to Southwestern Bell; it would be an amazing change from party lines and slow service. Entertainment continued to come to San Antonio, so Cibolo Valley teenagers hoped to get the money for tickets to shows. Buddy Holly appeared for 2 shows in October at the Municipal Auditorium with “The Biggest Stars for '57” as the headline. Appearing with him were the Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Paul Anka, Fats Domino, and The Drifters. The school year of 1957-58 was especially monumental for Cibolo Valley schools as Superintendent Clarence Shelton directed integration of schools ahead of many other Texas school systems. Austin had also started to integrate and Edgewood ISD in San Antonio, but there was not yet a universal change for all schools. Previously secondary black students in the area were bused to Seguin, but now they would be part of the Schertz-Cibolo Consolidated School District. Supt. Shelton kept the transition orderly. Other schools in Texas used his plans as a model for their own schools as the change took place. The period from 1950 to 1960 marked an amazing time for the Cibolo Grange as their community service had been recognized at state as first place five times, second place twice, and third place or honorable mention at other times. The group took fifth place at the National Grange twice. Since the area was still unincorporated, the Grange took on the responsibility for safety and community spirit for all residents. The 1950s were a time of growth, change, anxiety, and excitement—the decade moved Cibolo Valley from a quiet little spot near the Cibolo Creek to something beyond the imagination of the first setter farming families. In a few years, the towns of Schertz and Cibolo would become incorporated cities. Homes would begin to be built in places that had once been pastures. Looking back at the Schertz/Cibolo experience of the 1950s, it presents a picture of two towns about to experience dramatic transitions from rural farm life to ever growing urban settings and accompanying economic and development experiences. SOURCES New York Times, Dec. 9, 1956 San Antonio Light, April 1956 Judy Womack and Sandra Cleary, Cibolo Texas: The Early Years Judy Womack, A Thousand Years of Eating on the Cibolo Maxine and Lutrell Watts, History of Lower Valley School History of Schertz, Schertz.com Schertz, Texas: The Story of Great Ancestry, Legacy, and Development