Cameron County Historical Commission

The bimonthly meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, August 19, 2007 at the Narciso Matinez Community Center, San Benito, TX. starting at 2:12 p.m. with 10 members and eight guests present. Larry Lof, Chairman called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He then asked the guests to introduce themselves.

Approval of Minutes - Chairman Lof noted that the minutes of the June 10, 2007 meeting had been mailed to some members, e-mailed to other members, and also posted on the CCHC website. There being no corrections or additions, on a motion by Betty Jo Dunlap, seconded by P.G. Cavazos, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair - Larry Lof , in view of the possible impending arrival of Hurricane Dean, reminded all to take the necessary precautions to protect family heirlooms and especially historical paper items. He then briefly reviewed the transactions at the Santa Maria meeting that were partly conducted in Spanish. The good news was that the Brownsville Diocese had set aside $50,000 to stabilize the Santa Maria Church with emphasis on roof repair.

Treasurer's Report – In the absence of Treasurer Ed Meza, who was in Laredo on a family emergency, Mary Torres gave his report. She briefly noted that the budget for the current fiscal year was $6,650 for the CCHC and that it was proposing a budget of $11,650 for fiscal year 2006-2007. After the matter of appropriating monies for marker repairs arose, Linda Correa-Garcia urged that the CCHC add an additional $500 to the miscellaneous item. Increases had been made for this item as well as for photocopying, a camera and supplies, and printing and binding. Mary Hardy moved and Linda Correa-Garcia seconded a motion to submit a budget of $12,150 to the county. The motion was unanimously approved. Mary noted that the county has its budget online and available for perusal, but passwords were a problem in reaching the site.

Museums/Oral History – No report

Cemeteries – P.G. Cavazos noted that the Estefana Goseascochea Cemetery had received the Historic Texas State Cemetery Designation. Pursuing a state marker for it may now be in order. Designations for the San Pedro Cemetery are being researched. Chairman Lof spoke of the City of Brownsville and the Brownsville Historical Society working together to set up a Cemetery Center which would be another way of telling the city's history. Being the first of its kind in the state it is drawing interest from the THC and may warrant some grant money. Priscilla Rodriguez will be asked to draw up a more formal proposal. It is also possible that the center could coordinate information and history on other historic Cameron County cemeteries. Walking tours of cemeteries are becoming quite popular and offer considerable insight into local history.

Roads – No report except that several individuals commented on the failure of the county to follow stated guidelines in renaming roads. All agreed that old road names tell stories. P.G. Cavazos and Mark Clark presented some striking examples of naming problems. Perhaps a letter from the CCHC to Judge Casco to clarify the written procedure is in order.

Restorations – It was reported again that Phase I for restoration of the international style Richard Neutra House in Brownsville had been completed. Mark Clark spoke of the restoration of a one-story 1878 building at 8^th and Washington Streets, Brownsville. It was once the store of Rufino Trevino. It has received a facelift and considerable landscaping.

Steve Hathcock told the members of the formation of a new group. It is the South Padre Island Historical Committee. It is trying to amass history data for the island with a focus on that after 1940. One of its first interests is the preservation of a former World War II U.S. Coast Guard building one of many along South Padre Island once used for housing shore lookouts. The small yellow structure is at the corner of Haas and Padre Blvd. A second building of interest is a World War II officers' barracks moved to the island from the Harlingen Army Air Field. This type wooden barracks is not rare nor of especially historic interest.

CCHC member Rey Avila offered the interesting fact that he believed that it was his father in 1955 or 1956 who had moved the CG building for Dr. Haas to its present site. Dr. Haas used it as a fishing shack.

A San Benito City Economic Development Dept. employee noted that the city was looking into options for the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.

Mary Torres revealed that the former Reese-Wil-Monde Hotel, which later became Heritage Manor, had been released by the government and was up for sale for $390,000. UTB was investigating the Harlingen site for possible use as a satellite facility for the university.

Norman Rozeff pointed out that the 1909 Ross-Bobo House at the Harlingen Arts and Arts Museum was seeking a civic organization to become an angel for its restoration and use as a children's art center.

Lastly Chair Lof mentioned that we should not overlook structures built just before mid-20th Century, that many of these have historic significance, and that many were being lost to destruction or drastic renovation.

Website/Newsletter – Norman Rozeff mentioned the considerable feedback he is receiving from viewers of the CCHC website and his steady addition of material to the site.

History Markers – Lof remarked that the County Courthouse marker is nearing fruition. Mary Hardy said that the marker wording for the San Benito Methodist Church was being reviewed and that suggestions for revision would be sent to the THC.

History-Art Contest – Chairman Hardy bemoaned the fact that participation in the last contest was poor due to confusion with other contests, especially Rio Fest, and other venues drawing teacher and student attention. She recommended that the contest be finalized by the end of February and that only the ten best finalists from each school be advanced to the next level of the contest. Marcia Bettencourt of Brownsville's Fine Art Dept., Myra Cruz at Porter High School and Ms. Cantu at Lopez were singled out as individuals who might enthusiastically promote the contest.

With many members being absent due to other summer activities Chair Lof stated that he would withhold discussion of marker repairs until the next meeting.

In telling of the recovery of six multi-month binders of The Daily Sentinel of Brownsville having issues of the newspaper from 1912 to 1921, Norman Rozeff gave an example of the necessity to educate all on the preservation of old papers, especially young descendents of deceased oldtimers.

There was no program outside of the Center's current display of local artists, but there were refreshments.

The next meeting will be in Port Isabel in October.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:14 p.m.

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