TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION July/August 2006Preservat ion News

Museum Services Program: Proper Preservation Practices n New National Register Properties Showcase Cultural Diversity

THE

MEDALLIONTHE

MEDALLIONOOMTOWN!

BEAUMONT IS GUSHING WITH

HERITAGE TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

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2 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

H H HLeadership Letter

To know where you’re going, you must know where you came from. And that’s why it’s

important for all children to understand the history of the roots that make each of us Texans.

Since 1953, the Texas Historical Commission has been dedicated to preserving our

state’s rich heritage and cultural landmarks. The commission’s 17 members and more

than 100 employees work daily to improve Texas in fields such as archeology, tourism

and urban planning. Without their contributions, the Texas monuments and landmarks

that we grow up visiting and learning about would not exist as we know them today.

As I travel throughout the state, each city and each town that I visit has its own

individual history that is weaved into the fabric of Texas’ great heritage. The Texas Historical

Commission helps preserve this history so that it may exist for future generations to

enjoy and respect.

From Sam Houston to Stephen F. Austin, from the Alamo to the Chisholm Trail,

every hero and every story played an important role in shaping Texas into the state that

it is today. I urge every man, woman and child in the state to explore the fascinating

history and the colorful mosaic we call Texas.

I compliment the members Texas Historical Commission for their commitment to

preserving the state’s culture, and I appreciate the opportunity they give each Texas child

to learn and understand our state's fascinating history.

Sincerely,

David Dewhurst

Lieutenant Governor

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district by helping place two histori-cal markers through the TexasHistorical Commission’s marker pro-gram. Dedicated to Freedmen’sTown’s origins and 20th-centurydevelopment, the markers help inter-pret vital links to Houston’s AfricanAmerican past.

In 1906, African Americans ownednearly 90 percent of the property in

PRESERVATION PROFILE

Freedmen’s Town; by the time theGreat Depression hit, many of thosefamilies were displaced due to out-standing debts. According to Roberts,this was the beginning of the end —as the decades passed, much ofFreedmen’s Town’s history was lostalong with the demolished structures.

The Yates group seeks to educate people about the Freedmen’sTown’s residents. Contrary to popularbelief, its families lived relativelyaffluent lifestyles, as evidenced byartifacts discovered such as porcelaintea sets and decorative wallpaper.

“Many African Americans at thattime were able to get good jobs andsave enough money to build newhomes with nice furnishings,”Blacklock-Sloan says. “Despite every-thing going on with Jim Crow laws,they were able to forge ahead andmake a decent living for themselves in that community.”

Blacklock-Sloan and Roberts continue to dedicate their time to preserving the Freedmen’s Town’s historyfor the edification of future generations. In the meantime, they hope to keepthe demolition crews away while theybuy time and any remaining historic structures.

“It’s a burden for those of us trying to protect these properties, but a breeze for those wanting to tearthem down. It’s just not right,”Roberts says, referring to the city’scurrent preservation ordinance. “This is an extremely important partof history, and we need people tocome to our rescue.” H

This article was written by Andy Rhodes,managing editor of The Medallion.

HELPING HOUSTON’S HISTORYGroup Protecting Freedmen’s Town from Danger of Demolition

T HIS IS AN

EXTREMELY

IMPORTANT PART

OF HISTORY, AND

WE NEED PEOPLE

TO COME TO

OUR RESCUE.”— Catherine Roberts,

co-founder of Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum, Inc.

Twenty years ago, Houston’sFreedmen’s Town Historic Districtcontained more than 500 structures.Now, only a few dozen remain.

Rutherford B. H. Yates MuseumInc., a nonprofit organization dedicatedto preserving the historic AfricanAmerican neighborhood, has acquiredeight properties for use as educationalmuseums and urban archeology sites.The group’s goal is to preserve as manystructures as possible to continue itsmission of educating Texans about thesignificance of the neighborhood’searly residents.

“We’ve been trying to stay one stepahead of the bulldozers for years,” saysCatherine Roberts, co-founder of theYates museum group. “It’s been challeng-ing to find funding, but we have a lotof dedicated people working to preservethis invaluable piece of our city’s past.”

One of those people is DebraBlacklock-Sloan, a member of theHarris County Historical Commission(CHC) specializing in genealogical andhistorical research. Blacklock-Sloan isworking on several historical markerswith the CHC, and in the process, has discovered important pieces of theneighborhood’s historical puzzle.

“It’s been very rewarding to beinvolved with the CHC — especiallywith all the research I’ve done on theFreedmen’s Town because I’ve had achance to see how the communityevolved,” Blacklock-Sloan says. “I’ve learned a lot about how AfricanAmericans at that time built and usedtheir houses, schools and churches. I’m glad I can give testament to thepeople who did those things.”

The CHC also recently broughtan educational component to the

Debra Blacklock-Sloan (left) and Catherine Robertsdiscuss plans to preserve Houston’s Freedmen’s Town.

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PROGRAM FOCUS

History museums have a mission tocollect, preserve and interpret artifacts;indeed, collections are the heart ofevery museum.

People visit history museums primarily for the chance to interactwith these tangible links to the past. And the fact that people regularlydonate objects to local history museums demonstrates that they view the museums as the best place tosafeguard history for future generations.Thus, providing adequate collectionscare is essential.

Many museum staff struggle tomeet the preservation needs of theircollections, however, and some museumsare in danger of losing artifacts foreverdue to complete deterioration. In somecases, lack of funds is the culprit; in others, museum staff or volunteerssimply lack knowledge of properpreservation practices. Fortunately,

the Texas HistoricalCommission (THC) offersresources to help in eithersituation.

The THC’s MuseumServices Program is one of

the longest-running pro-grams in the agency.

Since 1969, smalllocal history

museums

across the state have benefited from theadvice, training and technical assistanceof the program’s staff. Best of all, theservices are offered free of charge.

Angie Scasta, chair of the Ward County Historical Commission,confirms, “As a small community, we lack the nearby resources to educateus about the ‘how-tos’ for completingmuseum projects. The THC’s MuseumServices Program has been a great helpin giving advice, sending information,recommending books and professionals,and conducting workshops. If it werenot for its free services, our small ruralmuseum would not have a chance —we can’t afford to hire consultants onour limited budget.”

In the past year, Museum ServicesProgram staff traveled to dozens ofTexas museums and consulted withnearly 200 institutions to advise on avariety of activities. Collections care isalmost always one of the most criticalneeds. In fact, more than one-quarter

of the requests for assistance involvecollections care and management.

“The small history museums thatwe deal with most often are run byvolunteers or staff who are passionateabout preserving their community’shistory, but who don’t always havetraining in proper preservation practices,”said Laura Casey, coordinator of theTHC’s Museum Services Program.“That’s okay, though. Passionate peopleare crucial to the success of any museum.We can’t teach passion, but we can teachpeople how to provide proper care fortheir artifacts.”

Casey adds that a variety of factorscontribute to an object’s rate of deterioration, including environmentalconditions, use and natural decay.However, museum staff can stabilize,or at least slow down, the deteriorationprocess and add a significant numberof years to the lives of their artifacts bypracticing the following basic collectionscare guidelines:

MANAGING YOURMUSEUM’S COLLECTIONTHC Program Helps with Proper Preservation Practices

“Artifacts need rest, too. It is unwiseto leave an object on permanent andindefinite display — the risk of damageis too great.”

– Laura Casey, coordinator of

the THC’s Museum Services Program

H H H H H4

5

catalog entries, inventories and conditionreports. Update the records regularly.n Leave all restoration attempts, repairsand major cleaning to a professionalconservator.

Casey shares one other piece ofadvice that she and her staff dispense at almost every museum they visit.

“Artifacts need rest, too. It is unwiseto leave an object on permanent andindefinite display — the risk of damage istoo great,” she says. “All artifacts, butespecially those made of paper andtextiles, should be cycled into storagefor periodic and frequent rest.”

Casey adds that small historymuseums should strive to allocate fundseach year to collections care supplies,such as UV light filters, acid-freestorage materials and environmentalmonitoring equipment. Every dollarspent on preventive preservation will save hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars later on expensive conservationtreatments.

Financial assistance is available forcollections care. Each year, the THCawards grants of up to $1,000 to smallhistory museums for preservation and

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

conservation projects. Larger grants are available through various federalprograms, including the Institute ofMuseum and Library Services, theNational Endowment for theHumanities, the National Endowmentfor the Arts and the National ParkService.

“Collections care is one of the mostfundamental responsibilities of everymuseum,” Casey says. “In order tomaintain the artifacts so they’ll survivefor the enjoyment and education offuture generations, it is vital that muse-ums implement prudent and consistentpreservation practices.”

To learn more about how to properlycare for museum artifacts, contact theTHC’s Museum Services Program at512/463-5853 or history@thc.state.tx.us.

This article was written by Carlyn Hammonsof the THC’s Museum Services Program.

n Learn how to handle artifactsappropriately. Consider every artifactfragile. Know and respect the history of each artifact.n Provide a suitable museum environment, including controls andmonitors for temperature, relativehumidity, light, air quality and pests.Maintain recommended environmentallevels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.Avoid fluctuations in temperature andrelative humidity levels.n Store artifacts in preservation-qualitycontainers, on appropriate shelving andin a suitable location.n Exhibit artifacts using only preservation-quality materials and tech-niques and under strictly regulatedenvironmental and security controls.n Clean artifact collections and thegeneral museum environment onlywith approved products and methods.n Restrict access to collections and pro-vide adequate security measures in public and non-public areas of the museum.n Keep meticulous records and documentation on all aspects of thecollection, including accessions, loans,

Opposite page: Anne Carlson of the Sam RayburnHouse Museum carefully cleans artifacts.Above: Well-spaced exhibits (left) provide better protection from accidental damage than crowded displays (right).

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TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION6

he roughnecks standingat the base of the Lucasgusher’s 100-foot-highoil spout couldn’t have

known the global impact they’d helpedcreate on that fateful morning ofJanuary 10, 1901. As soon as wordgot out about the Spindletop oilfield,tens of thousands of people flockedto Beaumont to make (or lose) their fortunes.

In the process, new residents usedtheir riches to build an impressive arrayof churches, civic buildings and homes.These architectural treasures remain anintegral part of downtown Beaumont’shistorical charm, and are the basis for thecity’s flourishing Main Street program.

“Oil had a tremendous impact onthe development of this city. Beaumontbecame a true melting pot with Italianand Jewish influences combined withCajun and African American cultures,”says Carolyn Howard, executive directorof Beaumont Main Street. “Our down-town was thriving with the wholewildcatter scene — we had everythingfrom theaters and hotels to bordellos andsaloons. This was one hoppin’ place.”

A century later, it remains a vibrantscene, with apartments, museums andrestaurants comfortably housed in theornamented shells of historic buildings.Howard attributes much of the revitaliza-tion success to the city’s 14-year-oldMain Street program and supportfrom volunteers in the preservation

community who help spread the wordabout Beaumont’s unique heritagetourism opportunities. Not surprisingly,oil plays a major role in many of thecity’s cultural attractions.

“I always encourage people to go tothe Spindletop museum,” Howard says.“It tells the story about the one andonly place on this Earth where thatmonumental event really happened.It’s something that changed the world’senergy source forever, and the magnitudeof that is impossible to grasp.”

During the first year of the boom,three major oil companies formed —the Gulf Oil Corporation, Humble(later Exxon) and the Texas Company(later Texaco) — and by 1902, morethan 500 Texas corporations were doingbusiness in Beaumont. The impact of Spindletop on Texas’ economy isimmeasurable, as it brought billionsof dollars to the state through oilcompanies’ profits and investors seekingadditional lucrative oilfields. This afford-able newfound fuel source also revolutionized transportation andindustry across the U.S. and the globe.

It didn’t take long for the boom to go bust, as Spindletop quickly fellvictim to an overabundance of wells.After producing 17.5 million barrels of oil in 1902, it quickly dropped to10,000 barrels in February 1904.Twenty years later, however, newtechnology provided the opportunityto dig the wells deeper, resulting in

Teaumont is booming!B Texas’ Historic Oil Town Gushes with Cultural Attractions

another Spindletop boom in 1925.By 1927, the oilfield yielded its all-timeannual high of 21 million barrelsbefore eventually subsiding years later.

The discovery of oil transformedBeaumont from a small village of cattleraisers and rice farmers to a boomtownof barons and the people who servedthem. Many of these families settledpermanently, and their roots remainproudly planted in Beaumont.

“One of the great things aboutliving here is the tremendous pride in family heritage,” Howard says, noting that the city’s Young Texans organization works with the BeaumontHeritage Society on genealogical research.“It’s so rewarding to hear kids saysomething like, ‘Did you know mygreat-great grandfather had a drygoods store downtown?’ or ‘I’m asixth-generation Southeast Texan!’Seeing that pride in your hometown is extremely gratifying.”

These families and others inBeaumont rallied together last fallduring the aftermath of HurricaneRita, which caused considerable damageto the city’s historic and modernresources. Private and governmentfunding have assisted with a portion of the recovery, but there is much workto be done to return Beaumont to itspre-hurricane condition.

“We certainly suffered the effects of Rita, and several of our historicproperties remain closed for restoration

TRAVEL TEXAS

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 7

due to wind and water damage,” explainsEthelyn Jenkins, chair of the JeffersonCounty Historical Commission.“We’re trying to get everything backon track and make sure our history isprotected from any future catastrophes.”

Meanwhile, Beaumont’s re-openedheritage tourism sites remain populardestinations, and the economy isshowing signs of improvement withincreased occupancy in downtown residential and commercial facilities.For Howard, it’s more reason to gushwith optimism.

“Beaumont is truly history inmotion,” she says. “Our museums are first rate, our culture is completelyunique and it’s all in a fabulous historical setting. It’s a special placewrapped up in a blanket that doesn’texist anywhere else.”

– Continued on page 8

Opposite page: The Spindletop/Gladys CityMuseum features a life-sized water-spewing gusher(photo: Dwain Cox, photobox 54).

Photo credits: Aerial photo of city on cover, DwainCox, photobox 54; inset, Texas Energy Museum

Beaumont’s BountyBeaumont is unofficially known as“The Museum Capital of Texas,”and deservedly so. More than a

dozen museums lie within city limits,and each entity is dedicated to a specific area of intrigue — energy,sports, art and the military to namejust a few.

Perhaps most significant toBeaumont’s history is the Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum.Located near the site of the famous Lucasgusher, the museum features replicasof 15 clapboard buildings from theoil-boom era, complete with a generalstore, saloon and life-sized water-spewing gusher. As of summer 2006,many of the buildings were still beingreconstructed due to substantialdamage from Hurricane Rita.

Another of the city’s top attractions is the 1906 McFaddin-Ward House, an impressive Neo-Classical mansionwith ornamental decorative featuresand opulent interior furnishings.Named for one of Texas’ oldest andwealthiest families, it was home toWilliam McFaddin, a Texas Armyveteran who created a cattle and oil

nt is booming!h Cultural Attractions

The McFaddin-Ward House

empire from the land he received for hismilitary service. Guided tours provide anecdotal and architectural backgroundabout this remarkable home and family.

Similarly impressive is the John J. French Historic House andMuseum, an 1845 pioneer home builtby Beaumont merchant John Jay French.Considered the oldest survivingBeaumont house, it represents much ofTexas’ frontier history and includes anarchival research library. Operated by theBeaumont Heritage Society, the housecontains antique furnishings and severalhistoric outbuildings.

The Jefferson Theatre in downtownBeaumont represents the cultural crownof the city’s thriving boomtown era. Builtin 1927, the theater staged movies, vaude-ville shows and world-renowned musicalacts. The unique “wonder organ,” fea-turing nearly 800 pipes and a kaleidoscopeof sounds, remains operable on a disap-pearing platform. Thanks to a recentmulti-million dollar restoration, theJefferson Theatre is once again hostingfirst-class live shows.

Among the city’s many excellentdowntown museums is the Texas EnergyMuseum, a fascinating collection ofexhibits showcasing energy sources —most of them oil-based, appropriately.Interactive displays on two floors depict thehistory of oil as a versatile resource andeducate visitors about the global signifi-cance of this local commodity.

Just down the street, the Texas FireMuseum plays a similar role by high-lighting the importance of firefighters in the Lone Star State and across the

country. It is perhaps most notable forthe 24-foot tall spotted “world’s largestfire hydrant” (now the third-largest),donated by Disney Studios for therelease of the animated movie “101 Dalmatians.” Housed in the1927 Beaumont Fire DepartmentHeadquarters Station, the museum features vintage fire engines and equip-ment, educational exhibits, and ishome to the Texas FirefighterMemorial.

Other notable heritage attractionsin and around Beaumont include theEdison Plaza Museum, featuring oneof the country’s largest collections ofThomas Edison’s inventions; the TyrellHistorical Library, a historical andgenealogical research facility located ina 1903 Romanesque-Revival formerBaptist Church; the Babe DidricksonZaharias Museum & Visitors Center,honoring Beaumont native Zaharias, a pioneer in women’s sports; and theDutch Windmill Museum in nearbyNederland, which includes century-oldartifacts from Dutch settlers andmementos of hometown singing cowboy legend Tex Ritter.

With its rich history and distinctiveculture, Beaumont is a quintessentialdestination for heritage tourists. FromSpindletop to historic homes to therevitalized downtown, visitors are dis-covering the wealth of attractions in the “Museum Capital of Texas.” H

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION8

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE Prosperity from the area’s oilfieldsled to a catchy geometric moniker —the Golden Triangle — formed bythe cities of Beaumont, Port Arthurand Orange. In addition to theirpetrochemical connections, the citiesshare a common heritage and culture. While in Beaumont, make a point to visit the other two apexesof the Golden Triangle.

PORT ARTHURJust south of town, a small group of Confederate artillerymen underthe leadership of Lt. Richard W.(Dick) Dowling successfully defend-ed Sabine Pass from Union invasionon September 8, 1863. A monumentat Sabine Pass Battleground StateHistoric Site pays tribute to Dowlingand his determined group of men. In Port Arthur, view relics from thehistoric battle and experience localhistory at the impressive Museum ofthe Gulf Coast.

ORANGEOrange was a stopping place for outlaws and renegades crossing theSabine River into Texas. The town’scolorful history is chronicled in photographs and memorabilia at the city’s Heritage House Museum. Just around the corner, the W.H.Stark House showcases family lifefrom the turn of the 20th century.

Article and photos by Andy Rhodes, managingeditor of The Medallion.

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 9

— Carolyn Howard, executive director

Beaumont Main Street

Opposite page from left:Gulf Oil was formed afterthe Spindletop boom andremains a major petroleumcompany with thousands ofgas stations in the north-eastern U.S.; the TexasEnergy Museum; theJefferson Theatre.Above, from left: the TyrellHistorical Library; anexhibit in the Texas EnergyMuseum; the world’s third-largest fire hydrant at theTexas Fire Museum.

IF YOU GO...For more information about thesites mentioned in this article,contact the following:

Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum& Visitors Center800/392-4401

Dutch Windmill Museum409/722-0279

Edison Plaza Museum409/981-3089edisonmuseum.org

Fire Museum of Texas409/880-3927firemuseumoftexas.org

Jefferson Theatre409/835-5483jeffersontheatre.org

John J. French Historic Houseand Museum409/898-3267

McFaddin-Ward House409/832-2134mcfaddin-ward.org

Spindletop/Gladys City BoomtownMuseum409/835-0823spindletop.org

Texas Energy Museum409/833-5100texasenergymuseum.org

Tyrell Historical Library409/833-2759

“One of the great things about living hereis the tremendous pridein family heritage.”

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PRESERVATION PARTNER

ave you ever wondered whatprehistoric people ate fordinner? What kind of hous-es they lived in? What theywore? The answers to these

questions and many more are on theweb at www.TexasBeyondHistory.net. The site’s newest educational series,“Prehistoric Texas: Ancient Peoples in aChanging World,” examines Texas’13,500-year human history on aregion-by-region basis. The premiereexhibit focuses on the vast plateaus andcanyonlands of the state.

“This area encompasses some of thenation’s most significant archeologicalsites — dry rockshelters with extraordi-nary preservation conditions,” saysSusan Dial, co-editor of Texas BeyondHistory. “It’s an ideal landscape toexamine the lives of ancient people andthe often ingenious ways they adaptedto diverse environmental challenges.”

Launched in October 2001, TexasBeyond History is a free, public educa-tion outreach service of the TexasArcheological Research Laboratory atthe University of Texas at Austin. Theweb site hosts the work of more than100 contributors — archeologists, his-torians, teachers, artists, paleontolo-gists, geologists, botanists and others— who have volunteered their talentsand expertise to help bring the state’scultural heritage online. Thirteen insti-tutional partners have contributed theirresources toward this effort, and manymuseums and local history centers havealso become involved.

The Texas Historical Commission(THC) was one of the pioneering part-ners, awarding grants through theTexas Preservation Trust Fund toward

special thematic exhibits. A CurtisTunnell Memorial Fund award helpedsupport “Wax Camps Along the RioGrande,” showcasing the late THCexecutive director’s work documentingthe still-prevalent folk industry alongthe border. THC archeologists alsocontributed to some of the most popu-lar exhibits on the site, including “TheRed River War of 1874” and“Sha’chahdínnih (Timber Hill): LastVillage of the Kadohadacho in theCaddo Homeland.”

Texas Beyond History features morethan 75 online exhibits, covering thestate’s long human history from theearliest Clovis travelers to 20th-centuryloggers in the Piney Woods of East

Texas. More than 6,000 images gracethe site’s pages, including galleries ofCaddo pottery that can be examined indetail and rotated 360 degrees, rock artpanels from the dry shelters of theLower Pecos region, arrays of chippedstone tools and intricate fiber objects,and historic and current maps.

“Our five massive exhibits onbroad themes present more contentthan what’s exhibited in most full wingsof a physical museum,” Dial says.“Because information is presented inlayers — beginning with generaloverviews and advancing to moredetailed, often technical sections —people can learn as much about aparticular subject as they choose.”

Dial adds that the site’s new series,“Prehistoric Texas,” puts the state’shistory in proper perspective. She believes 21st-century Texans cannotappreciate the lives and contributionsof the 500-plus generations of ancientpeople who have walked the sameground we do today without under-standing the basic facts about theirworld and the related subjects that givehuman life meaning — geography, natural resources, climate and culturehistory. According to Dial, “PrehistoricTexas” weaves together words, images,maps and more to distill what we knowabout our state’s prehistoric past, andunderstanding that complex legacy helpstoday’s citizens appreciate their place inthe long march of human history.

Illustrated with vivid photographs,reconstructed scenes from the past andinteractive maps, the “Prehistoric Texas”exhibits encompass dozens of linkedweb pages with stories, timelines andinformation on geography, geology,

HISTORY AT YOUR FINGERTIPSEducational Web Site Features New Exhibit on Prehistoric Texas

Dr. Dirt, the armadillo archeologist, leadschildren on tours of the Texas BeyondHistory web site.

H

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learn what ancient people ate. “Texas Beyond History is unique in

the nation as a collaborative, museum-quality educational resource focusingon the archeology and early history ofa large state,” Dial says, adding that itwas recognized as one of the tophumanities web sites in the nation in2003 by the National Endowment forthe Humanities — a significant honorconsidering the small staff that keepsthe site up and running and the fact itis almost entirely grant-supported.“There are other outstanding archeology-related public education web sites inthe U.S., but Texas Beyond Historystands apart in its scope, depth, visionand approach.” H

“Our five massive

exhibits on broad

themes present

more content than

what’s exhibited in

most full wings of a

physical museum.”— Susan Dial, co-editor of

Texas Beyond History

plants and animals, technology, artisticexpression and early historic accountsof native people (pre-Republic of Texas).

Viewers can “travel” across the state,from the Panhandle to the Rio Grandedelta, to learn about diverse culturesand how they have ingeniously adaptedover time to the often-harsh environ-mental challenges. The exhibits alsoinclude strong preservation themes byfocusing on the information gained bysystematic investigations as opposed tothe irreplaceable data loss that occurswhen vandals or collectors deface orloot sites.

For students and teachers, TexasBeyond History features special exhibit“wings” for exploring, discovery, learningand teaching. According to Dial, themost widely used educational resourcesare “World of the Caddo Indians,”“Meet the People of Fort Griffin andthe Flats” and “Imagine It,” a kid’swindow to Texas’ prehistoric past. Eachis packed with pictures of real people,places and the fascinating objects theyleft behind, from a 1,000-year-oldbowl that mysteriously rattles whenshaken, to an ancient child’s “backpack”made of twisted fibers from the sotolplant. Students can also take specialtours, led by Dr. Dirt, the armadilloarcheologist, including a time-traveladventure to an ancient shelter and avisit to his laboratory to view themicroscopic constituents of coprolites(preserved human feces), an exercise he calls “getting the scoop on poop,” to

Above: Texas Beyond History’s home pageAt right: A miniature carrying pack, made of bentwood and plant-fiber netting, was perhaps used by achild to gather food thousands of years ago.

Photos courtesy of Texas Beyond History

This Charles Shaw painting, featured on Texas Beyond History’s web site, depicts Clovis-era families hauling stones for a floor inside their shelter overlooking the Sabinal River (near present-day Uvalde).

TTexas’ historic properties reflect thediversity of the state’s rich culturalheritage, and several of these siteswere recently added to the NationalRegister of Historic Places. Many arethe result of multiple property sub-missions, where properties sharingsimilar histories or physical character-istics are identified and nominated asa group.

Recent listings of this type includefour properties in Rio Grande City,including the Rio Grande CityHistoric District, that reflect Mexican,German and Anglo heritage. Also recent-ly listed are sculptures by concreteartist Dionicio Rodriguez in 14 locationsstatewide. Other new listings include:

Stilley-Young House (The Grove),Jefferson, Marion CountyCotton merchant Frank Stilley builtthis 1861 Greek Revival house. In1885, Charlie and Daphne Young, anAfrican American couple, purchasedthe home and it remained in the fam-ily for nearly a century. CharlieYoung was Jefferson’s leading barber,whose clients included the mostinfluential businessmen and politi-cians in the town.

Floore Country Store, Helotes,Bexar CountyThe 1946 Floore Country Store is aconcrete block building that hasserved continuously as a communitygathering place, dance hall, countrystore and café. The hall became astepping-stone for burgeoning countrymusicians and a stopover for well-established artists such as Willie Nelsonand Lyle Lovett.

Jefferson Davis Hospital, Houston,Harris CountyHouston architect W.A. Dowdydesigned this 1925 Classical Revival

hospital, which replaced scatteredfacilities for indigent health care inHouston. The building is northwestof downtown, on top of a portion of the Old City Cemetery that was in operation from circa 1840 to circa 1870.

Huebner-Onion Homestead andStagecoach Stop, Leon Valley,Bexar CountyThis 1862 house was enlarged throughthe 1930s, and reflects both the earlydevelopment of Bexar Countythrough long-distance transportationnetworks, and the suburban growthof the region in the early 20th century.The Historical Society of Leon Valley isrestoring the property.

For more information about otherrecently added National Register sitesand eligibility requirements contactthe THC’s History Programs Division at512/463-5853 or history@thc.state.tx.us. H

This article was written by Gregory Smith,THC National Register coordinator.

PROGRAM FOCUS

The 1925 Classical Revival-style Jefferson Davis Hospital near downtown Houston was recently listedin the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently being rehabilitated for residential use.

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The National Register ofHistoric Places is the nation’sofficial list of cultural resourcesdeemed worthy of preservation.Authorized under the NationalHistoric Preservation Act of1966, the National Register ispart of a federal program estab-lished to coordinate and sup-port public and private effortsto identify, evaluate and protectthe country’s historic andarcheological resources.

The National Registerincludes more than 2,000 list-ings in Texas. Listing affordsproperties a measure of protec-tion from the possible impactof federally funded projects, aswell as access to technicalexpertise and grant funds tofacilitate their restoration andpreservation. Income-producingproperties are also eligible forfederal tax benefits for sympa-thetic rehabilitation work.

RECENTLY REGISTEREDNew National Register Properties Showcase Texas’ Cultural Diversity

The ranching industry — raising and distributing cattle, sheep, goats and horses — hasbeen an important part of business and culturein Texas for nearly three centuries.

One of the first known ranching areas wassoutheastern Texas, where cattle raisers droveherds to markets in New Orleans. In the 1870sand 80s, cattle drives up the Chisholm andWestern trails impacted the ranching industry,which was later affected by railroads shippingcattle to northern markets and barbed wirefences closing off the open range.

Today, Texas ranchers use modern technology such as electric branding irons,helicopters to round up and drive cattle to cor-rals, and computers to organize and track busi-ness dealings.

The following ranch-related items have evolvedover time with Texas history:

Cattle brands continue to play an importantrole in ranching by identifying an animal'sowner. The oldest government brand recordsare from the Texas Gulf Coast area, includingStephen F. Austin’s first recorded brand inBrazoria County in 1838.

By the 1880s, letters, numbers and nameswere popular branding symbols, many withmemorable names such as “Hogeye,” “Buzzardon a Rail,” “Saddle Pockets” and “Quién Sabe.”

Branding nowadays is usually done electronically, sometimes with plastic tags oreven with a tattoo.

Cattle rustlers (robbers) of the open-range erawere cowboys who had turned to the dark side.They knew the area where cattle roamed andwere talented at roping, branding and trailing.

Cattle theft by Native Americans was acommon hazard of early settlers in Texas, andranchers in Mexico were often victimized byTexas thieves who swam herds across the RioGrande at night and trailed them to Kansasmarkets.

Currently, cattle thieves are often referred toas “suburban rustlers,” who steal four to fiveanimals at a time — sometimes with the helpof tranquilizer darts and bulldogs — andtake them immediately to auction.

The above information is from the Handbookof Texas online (www.tsha.utexas.edu).

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

13TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Answers to puzzle are on bottom of page 15.

b i r d w a r b e e

p o i n g r

t e l c t a

Unscramble the letters in the shaded boxes to findout this ranching term. Hint: Ouch!

a g r e n

s t u l r e s r

TEXAS SCRAMBLERANCHING NOW YOU KNOW

HISTORY HAPPENINGSVisit the following places online or in person toexperience the impact ranching has had on theLone Star State’s cultural legacy.

Head ‘em Up! On July 29, the NationalRanching Heritage Center at Texas TechUniversity will open its newest exhibit, “RanchesPreserved: Historic American Buildings SurveyDocumentation of West Texas Ranches.” Theexhibit title may be long, but there’s no shortageof interesting ranch-related items like drawings,photographs and artifacts associated with WestTexas ranches.

For more information about the exhibit, call806/742-0616 or visit www.ttu.edu/ranchingher-itagecenter.

Live the Ranching Life The Texas RanchingHeritage Center and Horse Park, Inc. (TRHC), anonprofit organization in Corpus Christi, is working to preserve the history and artifacts ofTexas ranching.

The TRHC is developing riding and boardingstables, indoor and outdoor arenas, workoutareas, trees, pastures, ponds and educationalfacilities. The group’s goal is to have a variety ofranching activities for novices, experienced ridersor historians.

For more information call 361/850-0784 or visit www.trhc.org.

14 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

THC to Update MarkerProgramThe Texas Historical Commisssion(THC) is revamping its popular TexasHistorical Marker Program, the firstreorganization in more than four decades.With more than 13,000 markers, Texashas more historical markers than anyother state.

Some highlights of the updated program include an annual Januaryapplication deadline, more educationalmaterials, training workshops throughoutthe state on how to prepare an application,and an online application and review process.

Due to the program changes, the THC is no longer accepting markerapplications under the former system.More information regarding changes tothe program and a timeline for importantdates and deadlines will be available soon.Visit www.thc.state.tx.us for updatedinformation. County historical commissions will be notified of newguidelines in August 2006. A change in marker fees is also anticipated.

For more information, contact theTHC’s History Programs Division at512/463-5853.

Fehrenbach Book AwardWinners AnnouncedThe THC presented the prestigious T.R. Fehrenbach Book Award to twohistory professors at the agency’s recentAnnual Historic Preservation Conferencein Galveston.

Houston Community College professor Michael R. Botson, Jr. washonored for writing Labor, Civil Rights,and the Hughes Tool Company. James E.Crisp, associate professor of history atNorth Carolina State, won for Sleuthingthe Alamo: Davy Crockett’s Last Stand andOther Mysteries of the Texas Revolution.

Botson’s book examines two 20th-century social movements — thestruggles for independent labor unionsand civil rights — while Crisp’s book addsinteresting new dimensions to Texas’most famous historical tale.

The award is named after historianT.R. Fehrenbach who has published 18 nonfiction books including Lone Star,the most widely read history of Texas.He is a former commissioner and chairof the THC and currently serves as commissioner emeritus.

THC Contributes to RestoredBuildings Photo Book The Architectural Legacy of Alfred Giles:Selected Restorations is a large-format,illustrated account of restorations ofrenowned architect Alfred Giles, whoemigrated from England and worked inTexas and northern Mexico from 1873until 1920. From county courthouses to domestic residences, Giles’ work isdistinguished and well known, much ofit now restored through leadership fromthe THC, the San Antonio ConservationSociety and various advocacy groups.

Written by Mary Carolyn HollersGeorge of Austin, with a foreword byTHC Executive Director F. LawerenceOaks, the book is a beautiful photographictour of landmarks, some now lost, but alsomany that have been rescued and restored.

For more information about thebook, contact publisher Jill Anderson at 210/999-8882. For more informationon restored Texas landmarks and court-houses, visit www.thc.state.tx.us.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Visit us on the web atwww.thc.state.tx.us

The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission proudly salutes the following Texas Heroes (below). Support from the TexasHeroes program provides essential funding for a wide variety of THC projects, and helps the agency protect and promote thestate’s historic resources.

Anonymous — DallasEbby Halliday Acers — DallasKillis and Beverly Almond — San AntonioARCHITEXAS — DallasPeggy and Ray Bailey — HoustonJane and John Barnhill — BrenhamBelo Foundation — DallasJ. P. Bryan — HoustonDiane and Stuart Bumpas — DallasRichard H. Collins — DallasHarold and Joyce Courson — PerrytonMary and Thomas Duncan — LufkinGlen S. Ely — Fort Worth

Mary Carroll Foley — Austin Forttours.com — Fort WorthHarrison, Walker & Harper, LLP — ParisSarita and Bob Hixon — HoustonLoyce and Raymond Ince — San AntonioFranklin Jones, Jr. — MarshallLewis and Judith Jones — BudaAnn Lewis Lawrence — TylerMaund Automotive Group — AustinBonnie and Bob McKee — Saint JoJoan and Doug McLeod — GalvestonJohn and Bobbie Nau — HoustonVirginia S. Nicholas — San Antonio

W. D. and Susanne Northcutt — LongviewGay and Shannon Ratliff — AustinMarilyn and Lanier Richey — TylerBillie Leigh Rippey — DallasGale Hamilton Shiffrin — San AntonioBrian and Debra Shivers — DallasStewart Title Company — HoustonDianne and Eliot Tucker — HoustonLinda Valdez — RockportMarty Vaughan — JonesvilleLee Spencer White — Freer

If you would like to become a Texas Hero, please contact Toni Turner, THC development officer, at 512/936-2241 orat friends@thc.state.tx.us.

WHERE ON EARTH... IN TEXAS

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

The Medallion is published bimonthly by theTexas Historical Commission. Address correspon-dence to Managing Editor, The Medallion, P.O.Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711-2276. Portions ofthe newsletter that are not copyrighted orreprinted from other sources may be reprintedwith permission. Contributions for the supportof this publication are gratefully accepted. Forinformation about alternate formats of this publi-cation, contact the THC at 512/463-6255.

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSIONCommissioners:John L. Nau, III, ChairThomas E. AlexanderJane Cook BarnhillBob BowmanEarl Broussard Jr. Diane Bumpas Shirley W. CaldwellDonna CarterLareatha H. Clay

Commissioner Emeritus: T.R. Fehrenbach Executive Director: F. Lawerence Oaks

ISSN 0890-7595

Vol. 43, No. 7–8www.thc.state.tx.us thc@thc.state.tx.us

The Medallion is financed in part by a grant fromthe National Park Service, U.S. Department of theInterior. All of the agency’s public programs andactivities are operated free from discriminationon the basis of race, color, national origin, age,gender or disability. Any person who believes he orshe has been discriminated against should write toOffice of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Departmentof the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

The Medallion is available online atwww.thc.state.tx.us/medallionmag/mddefault.html. If you would prefer to receive The Medallionelectronically instead of through the mail, pleasesend your name and address to thc@thc.state.tx.us.You will be notified by email when each newissue is available on the THC web site and willno longer receive a printed copy.

Frank W. GormanDavid A. GravelleAlbert F. (Boo) Hausser Sarita A. HixonDr. Eileen JohnsonThomas R. Phillips Marcus W. WatsonFrank D. Yturria

Medallion Staff:Heather McBride Director of MarketingBarbara Putrino EditorAndy Rhodes Managing EditorLinda Adkins Senior Design CoordinatorMandi Sutliff Graphic Designer

15

TEXAS SCRAMBLE ANSWERS (from page 13): cattle, range, rustlers, barbed wire, roping

Bonus scramble word: branding

here on Earth? You tell us! Write to the Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711-2276. You also may fax your

answer to 512/463-6374 or email it to medallion@thc.state.tx.us. The first three people who correctly guess the site will be named with

the answer in the September/October issue of The Medallion. The first correct mail answer will be counted, even if correct emails and faxes arrive first.Limit one prize annually per contestant.

WWaanntt aa cclluuee?? Sports Illustrated once called this stadium, based on Chicago’sWrigley Field, “the best little ballpark in Texas.”

AAnnsswweerr ttoo tthhee pphhoottoo ffrroomm tthhee llaasstt iissssuuee:: The 1884 Old Alton Bridge (below left) traverses Hickory Creek, a tributary of the Trinity River in a rural wooded area ofDenton County. The bridge is apparently similar to many others across the statebecause dozens of readers submitted responses — several of them insisting thebridge was the Regency Bridge in Mills County or a bridge over the Canadian Riverin Hemphill County.

Congratulations to Larry Lanier of Irving, Paul Lorrain of Coppell, Rynell Novak ofDenton and Beth Stribling of Argyle, who all submitted the correct answer in recordtime. They will receive prizes from our Texas Heritage Trails Program, the TexasHistorical Commission’s regional tourism initiative, as tokens of our appreciation fortaking part in the fun. Thanks to the many participants!

W

PRESERVATION CALENDAR

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDAUSTIN, TX

PERMIT NO.1938

The MedallionTexas Historical CommissionP.O. Box 12276Austin, TX 78711-2276

Redesigned THC Web SiteFeatures New Online Calendar

The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) web site,www.thc.state.tx.us, has a new look along with anonline calendar to enter your preservation-relatedevents and meetings. Access the calendar at the topof every page to view monthly events, or submityour event for the calendar with the online form.This calendar replaces The Medallion’s preservationcalendar and our goal is to make it your source forpreservation events in the state.

The THC’s new site features left and top cascadingmenus allowing quick access to information. Newgraphics and images provide visual appeal. Search thecalendar numerous ways through the two filters withseveral topics to find items of interest to you.

The site’s new format takes advantage of advancesin computer software, monitors and web browsers.Emphasis is given to core THC programs and projects.A search feature on the left helps you easily find topics.The site also includes the popular Texas Historic SitesAtlas, the historic sites searchable database.

We hope you enjoy the new web site and calendar.We welcome your feedback.

P.O. BOX 12276 • AUSTIN, TX 78711-2276PHONE 512/463-6100 • FAX 512/475-8222

www.thc.state.tx.us

Our MissionTo protect and preserve

the state’s historic and prehistoric resourcesfor the use, education, enjoyment

and economic benefit of present and future generations.