A regular meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, July 18, 2010 at the Santa Maria Community Center, HWY 281, Santa Maria, TX. The meeting commenced at 2.23 p.m. with five CCHC members and seven guests present.

Chairman Mary Torres called the meeting to order. Larry Lof led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

Approval of Minutes -- Chairman Torres noted that the minutes of the April 25, 2010, meeting at La Feria had been mailed to some members, e-mailed to other members, and also posted on the CCHC website. On a motion by Larry Lof, seconded by Betty Agado, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair -- Torres welcomed the members and guests. she then asked the guests to introduce themselves. Among others were Ann Roberts, representing the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Deacon Saldivar of Santa Maria.

Torres then sadly reported on the recent accidental driving death of Mary Lou Rumbo in the Bastrop area. Mrs. Rumbo served as CCHC chairman before moving out of the Valley. She was a prime mover in establishing the Harlingen Historical Preservation Society among many of her other civic endeavors.

Treasurer's Report – There being charges for secretarial supplies and payment of the annual dues to the Tropical Trails the secretary reported Jose Gavito's submitted treasurer's report showing the current balance at $4,316.24.

According to Larry Lof, the Brownsville Historical Association has purchased the Alonso Building from the Gorgas Foundation. This will now provide funds to the foundation to purchase the Rabb Plantation Mansion, restore it, and to reopen the Sabal Palm Grove near Southmost. Concerns about the border fence and accessibility in this area were addressed and resolved to the satisfaction of all parties to the transaction.

.Cemeteries – Later in the meeting guest Art Cohan would detail progress being made on digitizing at least 80 Cameron County cemetery records. Many of these have been compiled by the LDS Family Center in Harlingen with Santos Canales doing much legwork. A copy of El Pie Cemetery information was circulated as an example. Many records are presently being stored with county files at the Port Isabel Museum complex. Cohan noted that these records needed to be re-typed in order to make them available on a website as a single database. Because of capacity and format limitations on some websites for such voluminous data Cohan offered his website to the CCHC for a comprehensive posting and availability. He requested permission to commence typing the basic data and death certificates, if available. Other personal information would be omitted. Norman Rozeff moved and Betty Agado seconded a motion granting permission for Cohan to commence digitization of the records. The motion carried. It was mentioned that the state didn't require death records until 1903, but some were furnished nonetheless as early as 1890 and are now available through 1976.

Roads –- There was nothing to report in this category.

Restorations – Larry Lof spoke of the near completion of the Cavalry Building, an old Fort Brown structures now on the UT-Southmost campus.

Website/Newsletter – The content of the CCHC website continues to be expanded with history article contributions and newly found links pertinent to Cameron County history.

History Markers –- Committee Chairman Rozeff commented that the THC marker for the Getsemini Presbyterian Church of San Benito was returned as the wording wasn't that agreed upon in the final approval. The THC would recast the marker to conform to the agreed upon wording. The wording for the marker of the First United Methodist Church of Harlingen has not been received as the application was very late and is at the bottom of the pile.

Lof mentioned the large size of the THC J. C. Canales marker that he had erected in front of this gentleman's old cottage. When Rozeff asked about an unveiling ceremony for it, Lof offered that at the annual CCHC meeting in Brownsville in December, this would be a convenient and appropriate time to conduct an unveiling.

History-Art Contest – No report.

Publicity – No report. It was discussed however that much needed publicity might be gleaned by producing a new newspaper county marker publication with ads as has been the case in the past. This also might be done in conjunction with the Tropical Trail organization.

1. Little has transpired in stabilizing the fast-deteriorating Laiseca Building. Lof conveyed the sad situation as being bogged down in red tape bureaucracy and regulatory limbo. This has resulted in cost projections for restoration that are extremely high and out of line with alternate possibilities. He stated that what is needed is "an emergency pathway." Rozeff offered that at minimum the county should cover the roof with a suitable waterproof tarpaulin in order to protect the already deteriorating interior.

2. The status of CCHC records stored at Port Isabel was still in limbo. Mary Torres had recently visited the records storage with Art Cohan. She was surprised to find a wealth of items that she had no idea existed in these files. These included numerous albums compiled by previous CCHC members. The great majority of storage space there is occupied by the Steward real estate abstract records. Torres suggested that while awaiting space in Brownsville, the records might be sent to Harlingen, a safer place should a hurricane or tropical storm occur in the area. While there, an inventory of all items could be commenced. All agreed that the records should have supervised limited access to the general public. Lucia Weaver moved and Betty Agado seconded a motion to send a letter to Patricia Rodriguez inquiring if such an interim move was thought feasible. The motion carried. Weaver then volunteered her services to help inventory the records.

On the agenda was an item to consider awarding Honorary Membership to two old stalwart CCHC members, Rosaura Gutierrez and P.G. Cavazos. It was brought up by Chairman Torres that other former CCHC members might also be deserving of this category of membership. The names of Yolanda Gonzales Sheila Griffin, and Mary Yturria were mentioned among others. Larry Lof asked that we review past membership lists to derive a comprehensive list of candidate.

Lof urged each CCHC member to bring aboard new members. As for those who have been derelict in attending CCHC meeting over this last year, they will be sent a letter asking them to clarify their interest and intentions.

In regards the status of the Santa Maria Lady of Visitation Church, Lof again reiterated that the initiative has to come from the community to the Catholic Church and the bishop.

Deacon Saldivar was then invited to bring the body up-to-date on matters relating to the restoration of the old Santa Maria Church. Building. Firstly he spoke of the church hierarchy changes over the last six months. The new pastor for the area is still getting his feet on the ground and getting orientated and anything related to the restoration is not even on the horizon he views. He concluded "We don't know where we stand." On the other hand the new diocese bishop may be approachable regarding this matter because Deacon Saldivar has conveyed initial thoughts on the subject to him. The bishop asked Saldivar to contact his secretary to arrange a time to visit the Santa Maria area and learn about it. When this comes to pass it was thought that Chairman Torres, Larry Lof and perhaps a few other CCHC members could be on hand to invest the bishop with the church's history and the vision for its future but not any politics. As Lof phrased it "The old church building is holding on to come back."

The overgrown grassy area around the church is the result of the county-church contract having expired and the county no longer conducting maintenance work in that area. The bush obscuring the THC marker for the church needs to be cut back, and this can be done because it is on the road right of way.

The date and site for the August meeting to be held in Rio Hondo will be given later.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Norman Rozeff

CCHC Secretary        Return to CCHC Home Page