Cameron County Historical Commission

The bimonthly meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, October 21, 2007 at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, Port Isabel, TX starting at 2:08 p.m. with 13 members and two guests, Josey Cantu and Steve Hathcock, 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 August 19, 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 Betty Jo Dunlap, seconded by Linda Correa-Garcia, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair -- Larry Lof reported that he and Peter Goodman had met with County Judge Casco concerning the status of the Laiseca Store Building. Abandoned for years and in sad condition, this 1400 sq. ft. historical landmark close to the Dancy Courthouse is envisioned as a home for the CCHC. This was conveyed to the Judge along with the thought that a restored building could also be utilized by the County for additional community activities. The CCHC is also in need of permanent storage space for its records which currently occupy three small rooms in the Port Isabel Museum and for which the county pays an annual rent. The erection of a new facility behind the Laiseca Store might later be in order to house such records. The old vault at the Market Square Complex and also the Brownsville Cemetery Center were deemed as unsuitable for the amount of material involved.

The site awaits a corrected appraisal on its value before any County decision on its purchase can be made. Several appraisals with varying considerations range from $13,000 up to $45,000. 1977 photos of the Laiseca Store were circulated as well as its floor plan.

Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Ed Meza stated that no word has yet to be received on the CCHC proposed increase in the County budget for fiscal year 2007-2008. The CCHC secretary has yet to be reimbursed for expenses submitted several months ago and which fell under the 2006-2007 budget.

Museums/Oral History -- Ed Meza recounted upcoming events scheduled for Port Isabel. These included a Day of the Dead Festival on 10/27, a motion picture showing on the lighthouse, and the Frontera Art Festival featuring numerous artists.

Mary Torres spoke of the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum's Day of the Dead Exhibit reception on 10/25 and altar making and sugar skull-casting classes at the museum.

Mary Hardy invited all to attend the 11/17 dedication of the new San Benito Museum complex to house the San Benito Historical Society Museum, the Freddie Fender Museum, and the Conjunto Hall of Fame. While open to the public in the afternoon for free, the gala evening event will cost $40 per person. San Benito is also constructing an amphitheater along its resaca. This can be used as a venue for cultural events.

Betty Jo Dunlap noted the annual La Feria Christmas Parade.

Larry Lof enthused about the recently opened Brownsville Cemetery Center and the importance of cemeteries in preserving our history.

Mark Clark listed the exhibits at his Brownsville gallery.

Lucia Weaver called everyone's attention to the dedication of a parish hall in El Ranchito.

Steve Hathcock pointed out that his organization would have items displayed at the new South Padre Island Municipal Building.

Cemeteries -- P.G. Cavazos is researching information for a THC state marker for a cemetery in the San Pedro area. He revealed that he has been in contact with the county's Mr. Uribe to clarify the true names of the cemeteries known to him.

Lucia Weaver then inquired about the accessibility of a small family cemetery near Santa Maria. It is surrounded by private property. She was told that state laws allow the right of way passage of visitors to such a cemetery. Ed Meza enlightened the members by noting that the Port Isabel Museum had a comprehensive list of all known Cameron County cemeteries. This is available to all for inspection.

Roads -- Norman Rozeff reported on the need to remind the County Judge and Commission of the longstanding procedures regarding the renaming of old County roads. A discussion then followed during which time several individuals commented on the failure of the county to follow stated guidelines in renaming roads. The importance of old road names in revealing history was emphasized. Rozeff volunteered to draft a letter for the chairman to the County Judge on the subject of road renaming.

Restorations --The restoration of the international style Richard and Dion Neutra house for the Kraighers in Brownsville has been nearly completed. Articles on it were run in the Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star. When shown a Preservation magazine article for the sale of a historical Neutra Commercial property in Los Angeles for $3.5 million Larry Lof, who spearheaded the Kraigher House restoration for a considerably lesser amount, amusingly remarked that he wished that he had been compensated proportionately.

Steve Hathcock told the members that the South Padre Island Historical Committee was on hold with regards the relocation of the WWII Coast Guard building since the Birding Watch entity that might make use of it was in the process of a land exchange.

Lucia Weaver related that an old WWII barracks in San Benito had been renovated for reuse. She also spoke of her brother and sister-in-law purchasing the THC landmarked 1910 old water district office building on Sam Houston, San Benito. They intend to preserve it as much as possible.

Website/Newsletter -- Clint Thomas mentioned the revisions in the website and his investigation into Google for researching particular items in the site. Norman Rozeff remarked on the ongoing feedback generated by the website and gave a brief account of a viewer submitting information about San Benito's founder Alba Heywood.

History Markers –- Committee Chairman Rozeff advised that two markers had been approved by the THC. One was for the First Methodist Church of San Benito and the second for the Hicks-Gregg House in Brownsville. The latter's owners, the Salinas, are also pursuing a National Register designation.

Marker seekers must get information into the CCHC soon, for the designated window for THC marker submissions only runs from November 1, 2007 through January 15, 2008. The McNair family of Brownsville has indicated that it will try for a marker on a 1937 Monterey Colonial style dwelling.

Chairman Lof then distributed to those that wanted a copy THC procedures for rejuvenating weathered markers.

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 concisely compiled the long list of Texas Tropical Trails goals and objectives set up at its last meeting. The group will next meet in Robstown on 11/13 and in Harlingen in December.

There was no program outside of the Museum's current display Day of the Dead items, but there were refreshments compliments of the Laguna Madre Preservation Committee.

The next meeting will be in Brownsville Sunday, December 16, 2007 at the new Brownsville Cemetery Center.

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

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