A regular meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the La Feria Public Library, S. Main Street, La Feria, TX. The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. with eight CCHC members and five guests present, including Steve Brewer, La Feria mayor, and Angelica Baldwin, mayor pro-tem.

In the absence of CCHC Chairman Mary Torres and CCHC member Shirley Vega who had attended the annual Texas Historic Commission meeting in Houston, April 22-24, Larry Lof, Vice, Chairman called the meeting to order. Linda Correa-Garcia led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

Approval of Minutes -- Vice Chairman Lof noted that the minutes of the February 20, 2010, meeting at Harlingen had been mailed to some members, e-mailed to other members, and also posted on the CCHC website. On a motion by Betty Jo Dunlap, seconded by Linda Correa-Garcia, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair -- Lof welcomed the members and guests. He then asked the guests to introduce themselves. He was happy to announce that once again the CCHC had received a Distinguished Service Award for its 2009 work from the Texas Historical Commission.

Treasurer's Report – There being no known changes from the previous meeting the secretary reported the current balance at $5,179. There will be costs for CCHC members who attended the annual THC Historic Preservation Conference in Houston. Also A $100 sponsorship fee to the Texas Tropical Trail is now due.

Museums/Oral History –-

Steve Hathcock spoke about the South Padre Island history group's work on an historical brochure to be titled "Be Yourself". It will delve with, among other things, some freewheeling characters who called the island home.

Norman Rozeff told of the current exhibits at the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum. These included an art exhibit by CCHC member Mark Clark and a recently opened one on trash art. In connection with Harlingen's ongoing Centennial Celebration the museum has an outstanding photo exhibit of Harlingen in days past.

According to Larry Lof, the Brownsville Heritage Complex will host a series of exhibits this year and years to follow touching on the 100^th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.

Sharon Newell commented that the Rio Hondo Museum in the City Hall complex is running out of display room as citizens come forth with donations.

Mayor Brewer spoke of La Feria's desire to establish a museum in the future in that the city would celebrate its 100^th anniversary in 2015. He remarked about the Tichener Mansion, originally the home of real estate promoter Al Parker, and its possibilities for periodic use and for open houses. The Tichenor family is expending considerable funds to maintain it and the surrounding grounds. Another possible site might be the old Catholic Church building of which the diocese is considering disposing. This 1930s structure erected after a 1929 fire in the existing church might also be a candidate for a THC events marker. Rozeff spoke to that matter and volunteered assistance if the community wished to pursue this subject. Questions arose concerning the disposal of a structure once it was sold.

Cemeteries – On April 24 volunteers of the Hispanic Genealogy Group of the Tip-O' Texas Genealogy Society conducted tours of the Harlingen Cemetery. They had researched not only the cemetery's history but interesting facts on the internees buried there. These were related to the visitors. This event too was in connection with Harlingen's Centennial.

Roads – Rozeff revealed that he had sent a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation documenting that the CCHC had studied the possible historical significance of the existing bridge across the Arroyo Colorado on FM 800 (South Bass Blvd.) and found that its removal and replacement would not be historically significant.

Restorations – Larry Lof spoke of the ongoing restoration work on old Fort Brown structures now on the UT-Southmost campus. He stated that County engineers had examined the very unique Laiseca Building to see what restoration would entail. Lof emphasized that as much of the original should be retained as was physically possible.

Mayor Brewer pointed out that La Feria's Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) now extended as far south as the Bluetown- Santa Maria area. The implications were that La Feria would be deeply interested in the fate and future of the old Santa Maria Catholic Church as well as other historic entities in the vicinity. With both a new parish priest and a new diocese bishop it was decided to renew contact and enlighten them on the past history of this church's preservation efforts. Lucia Weaver and Larry Lof would undertake this effort to work from the bottom up to stimulate and effect progress on the issue.

Rozeff mentioned the considerable work being conducted on the former Heritage Manor/Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel Building in downtown Harlingen. It will eventually house condominiums, office space, and an upscale Italian Restaurant. Nearby the nine story Blaschka Towers white elephant building is drawing interest from a Brownsville architectural group. The current owner likely is asking too much money for the building. Possibilities for the old Stonewall Jackson Hotel in San Benito were also touched upon.

The subject of parking demands from the cities for renewed buildings was addressed by the group. It was agreed that accommodations could be sought.

Website/Newsletter – The content of the CCHC website continue to be expanded with history article contributions and newly found links pertinent to Cameron County history. The Valley Morning Star recently noted its address in a front page history note.

History Markers –- Committee Chairman Rozeff commented on the Solis Cemetery historic marker application. Last minute family contentions concerning the narrative submitted to the THC are being resolved in Austin.

History-Art Contest – no report.

Publicity – No report. It was suggested that once the new J. T. Canales marker in Brownsville is ready for unveiling that sufficient publicity be given to the event to draw attendees.

There was no recent word on the University of Texas-Brownsville and the Coast Guard negotiations concerning an alternative tower site, one removed from the neighborhood of the old historic former station. Steve Hathcock enlightened the group on Coast Guard history in the area.

The status of CCHC records stored at Port Isabel was still in limbo.

It was publicized by Lof that Brownsville would host a July regional meeting of the THC. That will provide people here an opportunity to exchange ideas and information.

Betty Agado passed out a one-page brochure that solicited interest in forming a Santa Rosa- La Feria history organization. With La Feria's ETJ extending south it was pointed out that perhaps the society should encompass an even larger area than initially anticipated. In fact the area might largely cover what once was a major Spanish Land Grant. Several also spoke of Santa Maria's long overlooked history as an early Cameron County center of development.

The date for the June meeting to be held in Rio Hondo will be given later.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m. Our hosts then served refreshments, and attendees enjoyed sharing information and contacts.

Respectfully submitted,

Norman Rozeff
CCHC Secretary            Return to CCHC Home Page