Hays County Historical Commission
Winters-Wimberley House
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Chairman Kate Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. with 20 members and guests present in the little stone house located on Ranch Road 12, just north of the Wimberley Square, built in 1856 by William Carvin Winters, a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto. It was built on a wooded hilltop with his mill on Cypress Creek visible below. The 18-inch thick limestone walls provided protection from Indian raids and the fireplaces located at either end of the structure, warmth during cold nights. During 140 years, members of only two families have ever lived in this charming house, adding a series of rooms all to the back with board and batten construction. The house was purchased and renovated by citizens from Wimberley in 1998, completed in 2006. It was awarded an Official Texas Historic Subject marker and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It now serves as a meeting place for various organizations and housing for historic archives.
Chairman Johnson expressed her concern that the commission is perhaps the best-kept secret in Hays County and she wants to get the word out. A presence in a parade just might help she thinks, requesting a buggy or stagecoach for members to ride in. Oh, yes. We also need outriders, as well. Don’t have a horse? How about a historic vehicle? An old Model A would do as well. She needs a list from everyone on the parades given in each town. (If you will email me your parades, I’ll make up the list.)
LaMarr Petersen moved to accept the minutes from February 28, 2008. Jim Cullen seconded. The minutes were accepted and posted on the website.
Petersen went on to give the Treasurer’s Report for March stating we have a balance of 17,670.11 in the commission fund, a balance of $7,553.91 remaining in our budget, a balance of $7,955.46 in the cemetery fund and $8,331.03 in the jail restoration fund.
The El Camino Real Committee Report was postponed until April.
Linda Coker moved to hire a writer to apply for a grant that could put Uhland on the National Register as a District. A few Uhland citizens do not want that, but maybe if a grant comes through to help with restoration, they will like the idea. Lila Knight seconded the motion.
Lila Knight has sent in historical marker text for the Pound House. A San Marcos house and Butler cemetery markers are in the works. She urged committee members to think now for next year. Applications have to be in during the Christmas holidays when family living is hectic and historical markers fall way down on the to do list. Also the Bunton-Branch Bridge needs a marker.
Jim Cullen said we have a pending Historical Texas Cemetery application prepared for the Burns Cemetery and waiting for final submission from our committee. The site is on private property about 100 yards off the west side of RR 12, roughly halfway between Wimberley and Dripping Springs. It was not recorded in the Kerbow-Hearn work in 1994 and contains two marked burials. Saturday, April 12 a historical survey and workday is scheduled for Lehman high School National honor Society at Coronado Cemetery. The Hays County Commissioners have recently renewed Gene Bagwell’s contract to maintain the grounds at Cemeterio del Rio, San Pedro Cemetery, Guadalupe Cemetery, San Marcos-Blanco Cemetery and the Kyle Family Pioneer Cemetery. He said Diane Luna, who is a Wimberley resident, called and is updating Wimberley Cemetery information. The last 18 years is updated and on the web site. A 1492 stagecoach stop building/genealogical research library will be open to the public after she moves out her dishes.
Richard Kidd said he experienced a miserable month of stops and starts for oral history, but the committee was going to try again in a week. As for the website, the books and gift page is up with a link to the order forms with pricing. Coronal Institute is sold out, as is Echoes of Your Memory. Pay Pal is in the works because the attorney has reviewed the contract.
Shelley Henry urged everyone who is going to the convention to take a camera and take pictures. She will also look into the different parades to see about entries.
Discussion about the old jail centered around what kind of fundraiser and when, hopefully before Mr. Robert Redford is no longer with us. Lila Knight had several suggestions and also stated the commission/county is working on a contract that would prevent a sale of the old jail.
Lila Knight also announced the Historic Bridge Foundation, www.historicbridgefoundation.com, was celebrating their 10th year of formation, and none other than our esteemed chairman, Kate Johnson was the founder of this national organization. It would be great if all of us showed our support by joining up. It is $35 a year and you get a really neat, quarterly newsletter. Find out all about it on their website.
Dee Ann Story gave commission members a great power point presentation on old Wimberley photos. We saw lots of the great snowfall in 1949. The town really hasn’t changed all that much, just paved the streets and added a few more buildings.
At 7:20 p.m. with our stomachs growling in hunger, we adjourned the meeting to feast from the buffet table with LaMarr Petersen making the motion and Dorothy Gumbert seconding.
Respectfully submitted for corrections and/or additions,
Linda Keese, Recording Secretary
