Cameron County Historical Commission

The bimonthly meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, December 16, 2007 at the Old Cemetery Center on East 6^th Street, Brownsville, TX starting at 2:07 p.m. with 10 members and three guests, Deacon Saldivar, Tim Reynolds, and Shirley Vega, present. Larry Lof, Chairman called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Pledge of Texas. He then asked the guests to introduce themselves.

Approval of Minutes -- Chairman Lof noted that the minutes of the October 21, 2007 meeting had been mailed to some members, e-mailed to other members, and also posted on the CCHC website. Several copied were then distributed to members requesting them. There being no corrections or additions, on a motion by Priscilla Rodriguez, seconded by Peter Goodman, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair -- Larry Lof reported that he had recently been inundated with personal family illnesses and indicated that he might not be able to contribute as much time as required to his Chairman position. He did not wish to resign however. It was suggested by Norman Rozeff that the body select a vice chairman to assist him. Linda Correa-Garcia then moved and Lucia Weaver seconded a motion that Mary Torres be appointed as vice chair. This motion carried unanimously.

Year-end reports from numerous Cameron County entities involved in history work need to be compiled for inclusion in the annual county report to the Texas Historical Commission. Individual accomplishments should also be reported. These should be into the secretary by January 20 for submission to the THC by February 28.

Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Ed Meza had no report. Secretary Norman Rozeff indicated to the treasurer that he had still not received reimbursement for expenses submitted several months ago to the county.

Museums/Oral History – Considerable activity is ensuing on all museum fronts.

Ed Meza recounted upcoming events scheduled for Port Isabel. These included a Bagdad (Mexico) exhibit and a showing of works from a West Virginia artist. On February 8 the museum will hold a fundraiser with a 1940s theme at the Yacht Club.

Mary Torres spoke of the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum's Day Festival of Trees currently showing. African Americans in the Valley will be the next exhibit.

Mary Hardy recounted about the new San Benito Museum's gala opening. This three-part facility is very attractively laid out considering the limited space available. Ed Meza needs to be given credit for his design and consulting work with this museum. It houses the San Benito Historical Society Museum, the Freddie Fender Museum, and the Conjunto Hall of Fame. San Benito is also moving forward with an amphitheater next to the resaca, restoration of the historic San Benito Irrigation District office by the Vega family, and other plans for improvement.

Priscilla Rodriguez ran through a long list of museum activities in Brownsville. These included the re-instatement and re-interpretation of the Stillman House, a San Antonio artist to have a retrospect in February, the initiation of a Coffee and Culture gathering the first Saturday of each month, and a Holy Places of Brownsville Tour with Go with Jo among other activities.

Lucia Weaver noted the important opening of a long-needed parish hall in El Ranchito. It was dedicated as St. Ignatius of Loyola, Ranchito. She also reported the loss through fire of an important old Los Indios structure, the old schoolhouse.

Brownsville's Old Cemetery Center in which we were conducting our meeting was a joy to behold in what had been an abandoned (for five years) Southern Pacific Railroad building.

Cemeteries – Chairman Lof noted that the state now has a comprehensive list of known Texas cemeteries. Priscilla revealed that the city in an effort to reduce vandalism at the Old City Cemetery has installed security cameras and is in the process of putting on shields for the lights.

Guest Tim Reynolds, president of the Harlingen Historical Preservation Society, spoke of a recent meeting in Harlingen attended by the mayor and those interested in the old Harlingen Cemetery. Interested parties will attempt to set up a "Friends of the Cemetery " organization. The city is investigating proposals by private firms to update burial records and cemetery mapping.

Roads – No report

Restorations --The restoration of the international style Richard and Dion Neutra house for the Kraighers in Brownsville will likely be completed by late February according to Chairman Lof who also mentioned the ongoing work on the Fort Brown 1867 home of the Commandant, being the only remaining structure formerly on Officers' Row.

Peter Goodman dropped the good news that last Thursday the county had purchased the 1400 sq. ft. Lasaica Building. To justify this purchase the county will likely make it a multi-use structure for community use, the use of court employees, and likely the homebase for the CCHC.

Ed Meza related that Pirates Landing Restaurant in Port Isabel was planning on bringing in a replica pirate boat for short bay cruises. In the process of pre-construction for a dock divers discovered old wharf bricks, steamship parts, and other artifacts in the underwater mud offshore. When he learned of this he notified those involved that, in order to ensure preservation of artifact items unearthed, they needed to go through proper channels before advancing further work.

Mark Clark noted a recent discovery of an old building in Brownsville. Near Elizabeth Street, it is the old Yturria Store now being used as a perfume shop.

Chairman Lof then distributed a few copies he obtained from the county. It was the long-awaited Kell Munoz Architects report on Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church (Santa Maria Chapel). The county finally received this report after paying the firm at least part of the money owed for its compilation. The stabilization plan for the chapel has been in Austin for over 1½ month and hopefully will be acted upon soon. $50,000 for work is available from a Kenedy Foundation grant to the diocese. Some re-leveling work is also needed around the building to facilitate drainage away from the structure.

Guest Deacon Salvadore Saldivar of Santa Maria reported that the community had raised $2000 in a fundraiser for the chapel repair. Lof commended him and the community for becoming proactive in this matter.

Joe Gavito brought it to everyone's attention that West Brownsville was undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Younger people were purchasing older homes in the neighborhood and undertaking renovations on them.

Website/Newsletter – Norman Rozeff spoke of a new article he is about to submit. It deals with 49ers through the Valley en route to the California gold fields.

History Markers –- Committee Chairman Rozeff advised that a cemetery marker application has been submitted by P. G. Cavazos and has been forwarded to the THC. Placement of this marker, if approved, will be problematical.

In Brownsville the city unveiled a historic commemorative marker celebrating the 80^th birthday of Our Lady of Guadeloupe Catholic Church.

Lof also indicated that several marker application were in the pipeline and would be submitted prior to the January 15 THC deadline.

History-Art Contest – Mark Clark was added to this committee chaired by Mary Hardy. In order to revive a somewhat moribund program, the committee came forward with several new ideas. Adults will be invited to participate as well as students for the contest to end the latter part of February. The contest would be widened to encompass photography. The Historic Brownsville Museum would be considered as a venue to display winning entries. Rules and posters will need be disseminated soon as well as their posting on the CCHC website.

With $50,000 having been earmarked for the Santa Maria Church repair, Chairman Lof now is planning to set up a committee to deal specifically with this project. He shall ask Priscilla Rodriguez to publicize the situation and invite local participation and independent contributions. With this in mind Lucia Weaver moved and Linda Correa-Garcia seconded a motion that Treasurer Meza look into establishing a special bank account to handle funds designated for the Santa Maria Our Lady of Visitation Church. Lof and Meza would be signaturees of this account. This motion then passed unanimously.

Lof and the committee will formulate an emergency stabilization plan to submit to the THC. This will be quicker, more efficient, and very much less costly than going the route of a full-blown restoration. It would involve retiling the roof, re-pointing the masonry, replacing missing bricks, shoring up internal walls, and setting up a security system.

Mary Torres spoke briefly of the December 11 Texas Tropical Trails meeting in Harlingen. It went off very smoothly and the featured speakers were well received.

There was no program outside of the Museum's current and thorough display relating to the Old Cemetery. Season-favorite tamales were served.

The next meeting will be in La Feria , Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the new La Feria Library.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:37 p.m.

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