Cameron County Historical Commission

The bimonthly meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, April 15, 2007 at the Community Learning Center, 401 Parkway Avenue, Rio Hondo, TX. Starting at 2:15 p.m. with 16 members and one guest present. Larry Lof, Chairman called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced guest Don Wright, publisher of weekly newspapers pinpointing La Feria, Los Fresnos, and recently Rio Hondo.

Approval of Minutes - Chairman Lof noted that the minutes of the February 11, 2007 meeting had been e-mailed to members and also posted on the CCHC website and that some copies were also available at the podium. There being no corrections or additions, on a motion by Peter Goodman, seconded by Joe Gavito, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair - This week Larry Lof had been attending the annual THC Conference, this year held at the Lakewood Resort, near Austin. He personally picked up various awards being presented to South Texas people and entities. These included a Texas Historic Foundation Award of Merit for Excellence in Print Media, 4/12/07 for the Valley Morning Star (Harlingen), a THC Distinguished Service Award for Cameron County in Recognition of Its Active and Well-balanced Preservation Program, and was present when the award was given to Priscilla Rodriguez for her preservation work at the Brownsville Heritage Complex.

Chairman Lof attended some practical sessions on "How to do" and will write a letter to the THC stating how beneficial these were and why they should be continued and expanded. He reported that neither he nor Priscilla Rodriguez have any expenses related to the conference to be submitted to the county.

He noted that the Brownsville reception held for the two THC architecture representatives left a good impression with them. Their conversations with Sandy Stillman were helpful.

Treasurer's Report – Treasurer Ed Meza gave no report but did speak at length about local efforts to prevent the Port Isabel Lighthouse Complex from being transferred from the Texas Dept. of Parks and Wildlife to the THC along with 20 other sites around the state. Over 200 local residents signed a petition opposing any such transfer of the facility. Lobbying efforts to prevent this paid off when the Port Isabel site was dropped from House Bill 7 that authorized such transfers. One matter would have been the loss of $70,000 annual income from the complex. While the Parks and Wildlife gave $600,000 for the lighthouse restoration some time ago no funds have come to the complex recently. The current 15-year contract with the Port Isabel Museums and the Parks and Wildlife Dept. expires in May 2008. Renegotiation efforts for the partnership have been commenced.

Museums/Oral History – Mary Hardy of San Benito spoke again about the city's plans to expend $1.4 million to build a new museum. Ed Meza of the Port Isabel Museums has been hired to advise on the museum layout, etc.

Mary Torres told of the archiving efforts being conducted at the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum as well as its activities directed at children.

Cemeteries – P.G. Cavazos noted that the cemetery research was ongoing.

Roads – No report except that Pete Castillo spoke of his work to locate the Santa Monica area THC plaque for the Old Alice Road. He was also sleuthing the disappearance of a what is believed to have been a Paso Real historic plaque.

Restorations – It was reported that Phase I for restoration of the international style Richard Neutra House in Brownsville had been completed.

Website/Newsletter – Norman Rozeff mentioned the considerable and valuable feedback he has received from viewers of the website.

History Markers – No report.

History-Art Contest – Chairman Hardy said that she would donate the $18 cost for the ribbons for the History-Art Contest. The county contest submissions will be at the Port Isabel Museum on 4/25. Schools in La Feria, Harlingen, Los Fresnos and Port Isabel have been contacted to elicit submissions.

Chairman Lof, in bringing up the long-standing matter of the Santa Maria Church, clarified that the Catholic Diocese still owns the church building and the .6 acre upon which it stands. He provided the THC situation regarding the structure. Because, at one time, the county turned back a $50,000 grant to study the restoration needs of the church, the THC is now reluctant to come forward with another grant. A requirement for any monies from the THC would be that a detailed planning study by individuals versed in historic architecture be the first phase. Locally formulating a plan acceptable to the THC is out of the question. While the community wants a "living church" this dream may not be sustainable as the church has no additional infrastructures. Periodic use of nearby county buildings might offset this deficiency. Any approach to the Bishop should be made via Father Tom and Deacon Saldivar.

The complicated matter was discussed by the body. It was concluded that the Church could move more quickly and more economically than by going through the THC. The Diocese has removed the church's pews, and its altar is also scheduled to be moved. Lof felt that an expenditure of $50-60,000 would suffice to stabilize the church building. This would cover a new permanent roof, pointing of the brickwork, and replacement of missing bricks. About $200,000 all told is likely needed to restore it completely.

All concurred that it would be possible for the CCHC to spearhead a fund drive aimed at raising enough dollars to complete the first phase of the church repairs. It was thought best to funnel any such funds solicited from the public into a special bank account dedicated to the church repairs. Possibly matching funds, such as a Meadows Challenge Grant, might be sought at that time. The expertise to initiate the repairs exists locally. Local farmers in the area might be approached to play a greater role in the restoration.

Ed Meza moved and Linda Correa-Garcia seconded a motion to look into the establishment of setting up an action campaign fund for the church restoration. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Lof then asked Ed to study how to set up an account, to assess the legal implications more thoroughly, compile pertinent information, and report on these to an on-call special meeting. Success in this matter could produce a win-win situation for all.

Mary Torres then outlined the current operations of the Tropical Trails group. This included the naming of a task force at the Corpus Christi meeting to formulate a 24-page travel guide, the mention of the new Travel Guidebook, and the upcoming McAllen meeting.

Chairman Lof inquired whether he should entertain a motion offering a resolution favoring the action taken about the Port Isabel Lighthouse. Mary Hardy moved and P. G. Cavazos seconded a motion, to wit: Resolved that the CCHC affirms and applauds the current management partnership between the Port Isabel Museums and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department dealing with the Port Isabel Lighthouse, Keeper's Cottage, and grounds.

Pete Castillo indicated that the community of Rio Hondo was working on obtaining an historical marker for the Arroyo Colorado lift bridge, looking into one for the Catholic Church sanctuary built in 1934, and studying the history of the Firestone Station possibly constructed in the early 1940s. Deceased Clarence Bate's old building use to be a clubhouse and needs to be studied. Lof suggested that the community conduct an informal survey of all old structures in the town.

CCHC member Norman Rozeff spoke briefly about his newly-published book titled "Sugarcane and the Development of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, 1875-1922.

The next meeting will be an on-call one once information has been collected on fund-raising matters.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

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