Qllyogl.l COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND TEN (101 COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT MADE BY: Joseph Luther OFFICE: Historical Commission t ~° ~Cu~ . ~~~:.~t` ~i MEETING DATE: ~-? TIME PREFERRED: any SUBJECT: Annual Report of the Kerr County Historical Commission EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: Haskell Fine & Joseph Luther ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: 3 to 5 minutes (handout) IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: 5:00 PM previous Tuesday THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS RQUEST RECEIVED ON: @ .M. All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards your request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Court. Y t ~ `~~ ,~ ~~ '~. ~.~^' .ac's?'" ,:! ~'~` 2007 ANNUAL REPORT 2008 PLAN OF WORK Joseph Luther, Chairman KERR COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION A Unit of the Texas Historical Commission PRESENTED TO KERR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT January 14, 2008 The ob, ject of this Commission sho// bye the imp/ementotion in Kew County of the Texos Stotutes per~toining to County Historico/ Commissions and Historico/ Preservation and the programs as out/fined by the Texas Historico/ Commission. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT Kerr County Historical Commission 6y charter the Historical Commission is to report annually to the Court on the following: • Membership • Leadership • Activities This report is being presented for the records of Kerr County on Jnnunry 14, 2008 for the 2007 calendar year (Dec 06 to Dec 07}. In addition to the required part of this report, a 2008 Plan of Work describes the Historical Commission's expected activities in 2008. CONTENTS 1. Membership 2. Leadership 3. Activities • Markers • Union Church Project • Collectors Plnte • Oral Hisfiories • Archives • Exhibits • Web Site • Publicity • Budget 4. Plnn of Work for 2008 5. Attachments 2 MEMBERSHIP This is an organization of volunteers. The Commission's 2008 membership stands at 21. All of these are active members. Last year, the commission had 24 members of which 7 were inactive. Active Members The following individuals have been elected directors for 2008: • Rau ( Arreo la -new member 2008 • Ann Bethel • Joe Burkett -new member 2007 • Francelle Collins -new member 2007 • Brenda Craig • Sue Dyke • Haskell Fine • Wanda Henderson • Julie Leonard -new member 2007 • Joseph Luther • Julius Neunhoffer • William Rector • Bryant Saner • Thorton Secor -new member 2008 • Clarabelle Snodgrass -since 1978 • Julia Stehling -new member 2007 • Jeanne Sutton -new member 2008 • Irene Van Winkle • Jeanie Webb • Mindy Wendele • Lew Williams 3 Thomas E. Alexander of Kerrville was appointed to the Texas Historical Commission in 2003 and serves at the state level ns the commission's professional historian. He is president of The Alexander Company specializing in historical research, television documentary development and consulting. He is the author of numerous books about Texas military history, the first of which was awarded the Publication of the Year Citation by the San Antonio Conservation Society in 2001. H. A. "Buster" 6aldwin, Kerr County Commissioner -Precinct 1, is the designated liaison between the Commissioners' Court and the Historical Commission. Resignations The following members have resigned in 2007/2008 for various reasons: • Walter 5chellhnse • Mike Bowlin • Lea Bell • Paul Parks • Janet' Crum • Kathryn Mitchell • Rene Sherman The Commission owes a debt of gratitude to these individuals for their long history of service to the citizens of Kerr County. 4 LEADERSHIP Officers The following officers for the 2008 were elected f rom the directors in December 2007 and will serve for two years (2007 & 2008). Joe Luther will serve three years, as he is filling Haskell Fine's unexpired term of office for 2008. • Joe Luther -Chairman • Sue Dyke -Vice Chairman • Jeanie Web -Secretary • Julia Stehling -Treasurer The Commission expresses its sincere appreciation to the following officers: who have finished their term of service: • Haskell Fine -outgoing Chairman • Ann Bethel -outgoing Treasurer • Lew Williams -outgoing Secretary Committee Leadership Committee assignments for 2008 are as follows: • Archives • Markers • Membership • Ural History • Publicity • Union Church Building • Web Page • GPS • Old Trai Is and Roads • Exhibits Julia Stehling -new chair 2008 Jeanie Webb -new chair 2008 Julie Leonard -new chair 2008 Frnncelle Collins Lew Williams Julius Neunhoffer Joe Luther Joe Burkett -new chair 2008 Thorton Secor -new chair 2008 Francelle Collins s 2007 ACTIVITIES Texas Nistoricnl Markers During this reporting period (Jan 2006 thru Dec 2007) the following Texas Historical Markers have been processed, approved, erected and were dedicated or rededicated • First Christian Church -marker was moved and rededicated in June 2007. • Guthrie Building -Marker for this 121-year-old building was dedicated in December 2007. • Kerrville Mountain Sun newspaper -marker was moved and rededicated at the Guthrie Building in December 2007. The Texas Historical Commission has n new processing procedure for obtaining markers. Applications will be received only in the months of November and December with a deadline of January 15, 2008. All applications must be submitted electronically, via Internet. No other applications can be submitted during the year. The 2008 cycle will close in early January 2009. At the end of 2007, the KCHC has the following applications in process for 2008: • Starkey Cemetery -submitted 11 January 2008 • Masonic (Sheftall) Building -submitted 14 January 2008 • Mary Ann Kent Byns Chambers Morriss -submitted 14 January 2008 • Naylor Ranch • Texas Ranger Patrol Trail Kerr County now has 63 sites and structures of record that hove been officially designated for State and/or National Nistoricnl Markers. There are many other buildings and sites that should be 6 so designated. Costs continue to be a source of frustration, Applicants, usually property owners, must pay fihe cost of the marker, which runs about $650 to $1,500. Union Church Building Project Julius Neunhoffer is fihe Chairman of this Committee. Maintenance of the building was overseen on the following: • Sound system that was struck by lighting and replaced. • Glass light shades replaced as needed. • Window shades repaired as needed. • Seasonal decor on the walls of building was applied as needed. Fence project. With the help of Mile Walker architect, plans were drown up using the 100-year-old courthouse iron fencing in conjunction with native cut limestone to make a fence along Broadway and on to Travis Street along the Union Church property. After the first drawings were created, they were taken to the city for approval. The location of the front gate was a minor issue, but by moving it 30 feet east for better firaffic flow, that issue was resolved. Additional steel fence sections were needed to span the full length of the property. Barron Smith of Fredericksburg Forge has been contracted to build the needed additional pieces, He will also see about building the new matching gates when the time comes. C)ur next step will be getting bids on the construction of the fence so as to get an idea as to the amount of funds that the Friends of KCHC will have to raise. Collectors Plote As part of the fund raising for the Union Church Building, the Commission had 150 numbered commemorative collectors plates designed and manufactured. Each plate has a picture of the Union Church Building, as restored, surrounded by a picture of the original four churches that occupied the building. On the back of the plate is a short description of the history of the Building. These plates are still being offered for sale at $35.00 each. The sale of these plates will continue during the 2008 calendar year. The Commission will explore selling these on Ebny. GPS Location Of County Cemeteries This is nn on going project by the Commission and is sponsored by The Texas Historical Commission. Several years ago Gerald Witt, a member of the Commission, prepared a county map showing all the cemeteries in the county. The Commission is still in the process of establishing the GPS location of these cemeteries. This is an on going project and will continue during 2008. The GPS Committee is using digital satellite photography, USGS maps, and local knowledge to find unmarked cemeteries across the county. There is a great concern among members that some cemeteries have been "plowed under" or otherwise destroyed. A matrix has been constructed to illustrate the list of cemeteries and the GPS status. It is the hope of the Historical Commission that a handy database of County cemeteries can be used in the County offices during permit review. Joe Burkett has been appointed as Chair the new GPS committee and wi I I take this on as a pro ject. Oral History There are now about 50 completed oral histories in the library. Francelle Collins is chairing this committee and is ably assisted by Jeanie Webb. The Kerr County Historical Commission is working s with Candice Scott, PhD. and Kathleen Walker, M.Ed. at Schreiner University in nn arrangement to digitize these interviews. There are still well over 90 individuals that need to be interviewed and oral histories compiled. However, the time required to accomplish this task is enormous. Anew DVD camera has been purchased to provide n digital video of these oral histories. A new 500-gigabyte external hard drive has been purchased to provide stable and long-lasting electronic storage of these digital files. Archives This is n critical problem. The Commission Archives Room is still located in a small room in the basement of the Courthouse. There are thousands of pieces of Kerr County history located in this small room. However, they are not available to the public due to the lack of security, location and size of the room. Many improvements and additional space are needed in this area. Julia Stehlin will now chair fihis committee and is being assisted by Frnncelle Collins, Jennie Webb and Jeanne Schumacher Sutton. Exhibits 1. Courthouse: Jennie Webb and Frnncelle Collins are maintaining the display cabinets in the Courthouse. Two displays were offered in the Courthouse this year: • Old Mnps of Kerr County • Historical Sid Peterson Hospital 9 Z. Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center: Members of the Historical Commission maintain a membership of KACC. This gives the Commission the opportunity to host an exhibit once a year - usually in April. In 2007 the exhibit was an historical display of Kerr County Maps. Joe Luther is coordinating these exhibits. 3. Camp Verde: The Commission presented a display, handout, and talk at the Camp Verde Sesquicentennial this year. Members of the Commission staffed a booth during the event at Camp Verde. This was very well received. A copy of the handout document about this history is included with this report. Presentations Members of the Kerr County Historical Commission made presentations to the Kerrvi Ile City Counci I, the Kerr County Commissioners Court, the Kerrville Planning Commission, the Kerrvi l (e Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, the Camp Verde Sesquicentennial ceremony, the Central Kerrville Development Corporation, the Downtown Brainstorming Group, the Former Texas Ranger Foundation, the Somerset Historical Society and on local radio and TV stations. Publications The Kerr County Historical Commission published one document this year, entitled Historic Camp Verde Genera/ Store and Post Office, authored by Joseph Luther. A copy of this 4-page publication is attached to this report. Approximately 300 copies were distributed to the general public. The document is now included on the KCHC website. ~o Web Site A new web site for the Kerr County Historical Commission was prepared and launched this year by Joe Luther, Commission Webmaster. This is available ns part of the Kerr County web site and may be found at t# ~Iuvw . co ~ kern .fix . ~s1h~ sfiors'c~ . This has proven to be n popular site. This website offers the public the following major topics: 1. Background on the Texas Historical Commission and the Kerr County Historical Commission (KCHC). 2. Members and Officers of the KCHC. 3. History of the Aren of Kerr County, Texas • ~c Pec i~ - 10,000 BC to 1880 • i~ c~c ~.~c~_mis,~~ ~ - 1519 to 1836 • °~.~~ 1836 to 185b • r ~~ 1856 to 1900 • d ~neral ~~cr~ 4. Projects of the KCHC. ~.F~~~c~;.~~i~T~r~~ ~~ b~~~~~~; ~° .._~_.._ ___~,~._~__.m ..._...~ 5. Friends of the Kerr County Historical Commission. 6. Historical Bibliography. 7. Links of Interest. 8. Historical Photographs. 9. Historical Maps of Kerr County and Area. ~- ,._ s Kerr bounty i-~istoricai commission Kerr County Official Website Top Ten web~a4es visited in 207. The Kerr County Historical Commission is listed in the top ten. Total: 1923 different webuaaes-url County site for baseline comparison ~>y iii' .i Y a~f - ~. ,~f~ Home Page for Kerr County Historical Commission i?.' comparison site ~~i}:, i?t~~~ `~~t't }'s comparison site ~ ~ \ / ~ ? i ;' i comparison site ,.. ,- . i'' ,.~a ~ ~r; ~ comparison site viewed 358 328 265 249 176 173 153 148 143 138 128 116 116 74 71 55 36 34 33 30 13 12 Publicity There have been numerous articles printed in the Kerrvi//e Dni/y Times, the West Kerr Current crud the Kerrville Community Tournalover the past year on activities of the Commission and its members. Lew Williams chairs this committee. 13 HONORS ANA AWARDS Clarnbelle Snodgrass has been nominated for the Governor's Award for Historic Preservation. Clarabelle, age 94, has been n "force of nature" on the Kerr County Historical Commission for thirty years. She served as Chair of the Marker Committee for over 20 years, was instrumental in establishing the Oral History Project, and has actively worked to produce some 50 oral histories, 32 historic markers and scores of published family histories. She is a kind and conversant advisor and source of deep knowledge for those seeking to encounter the history of Kerr County. Irene Van Winkle has been nominated for the Texas Historical Commission Award of Excellence in Media Achievement. Irene has achieved "media excellence" in the field of historic preservation and heritage tourism by writing and publishing more than 98 newspaper articles -since 2006 -pertaining to the settlement of Kerr County, Texas. The series was to commemorate the Kerr County Sesquicentennial celebration in 2006, and was to honor the settlers, pioneers and developers of Kerr County. These articles, photographs and maps have appeared weekly in the West Kerr Current newspaper published in Ingram, Texas. Building on the popular success of the weekly series, the newspaper is currently publishing a special edition of "Family Chronicles -- the way we were". This publication is a compilation of the first 50 stories in the series of family stories, written by reporter/writer Irene Van Winkle. The newspaper intends to continue this very popular series, and is already announcing that the next series of stories will be published in 2008. 14 BUDGET IN THE YEAR 2407 The 2007 budget from the Commissioners' Court was $3,500.00. These funds were spent for the following activities: Oral History $12.98 External Hard Drive and Digital Recorder & Camera $754.59 Union Church Building Property $2382.02 Supplies $40.00 Cramp Verde Event $110.00 KACC Archivnl Mnp Display $164.69 TOTAL 2007 $3464.28 Kerrville Mountain Sun Historical Marker Dedication - 2007 15 KERR COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION PLAN OF WORK 2008 MEMBERSHIP The membership now stands nt 21. The Commission plans to hold this number as a dynamic balance of needs and interests. LEADERSHIP The following officers for the 2008 elected from the directors in December 2007 and will serve for two years" • Joe Luther -Chairman • Sue Dyke -Vice Chai rmnn • Jeanie Web -Secretary • Julia Stehling -Treasurer UNION CHURCH BUILDING Julius Neunhoffer is chairman of this committee. There are several projects at the Union Church Building that need to be addressed. These are: • The front door again needs to be refinished. The natural finish and the west afternoon exposure will be a long-term issue. • The historic fence project will be completed. GPS LOCATION OF COUNTY CEMETERIES This is an on going project and will continue during the 2008 calendar year. Joe Burkett will serve ns chairman of this committee. 16 OLD TRAILS, ROADS AND BRID6E5 This new committee, chaired by Thorton Secor will explore, describe, and map, digitally photograph and GPS the old pioneer trails, roads and bridges. These data may be assembled into a driving tour atlas and published by the KCHC. PHOTO PROJECT Members of the Commission will continue to work on this project to take a series of digital photographs of current structures within the County to document what the modern Kerr County is like. The plan is to use this photo collection to show current and historical pictures of the same sites. The current collection and future additions will be a digital historical photographic collection. Existing hard copy photographs will be scanned and added to this collection. The recently purchased 500 gigabyte hard drive will be used to store and disseminate these digital images. Julius Neunhoffer and Joe Luther will take the lead on this project. ORAL HISTORY The oral history projects will continue under the direction of Frnncelle Collins. The Commission will continue to transfer completed oral histories to the library as they are completed for maintenance and availability to the public. These will be videotaped using the recently purchased digital video camera. These digital files will be stored on the recently purchased 500 GB external hard drive. These oral histories are valuable items and a record of Kerr County history. The first oral history recording for 2008 will be Mrs. Elsie Kullenberg, age 94. 1~ JUNIOR HISTORIANS With the departure of Paul Parks, the Historical Commission has been inactive in this important program. The Commission intends to revitalize, maintain and enhance the Junior Historians Program. This program, operating in Kerr County, can give our talented youngsters the opporfiunity to become researchers and writers at an early ~~, HISTORICAL MARKERS Jennie Webb is the chair of this committee. The Marker Committee will continue to process applications through the end of the calendar year, utilizing the forms and procedures required by the Texas Historical Commission. All of these must be electronically stored and transmitted to the THC. The Commission is looking at the possibility of developing n localized non-state Kerr County Marker and City of Kerrville Marker. There are numerous subjects and bui (dings that cannot be approved by the THC for one reason or the other but have a signif icnnt impact on Kerr County history. This could include the expansion of the naming of historical river crossings. Therefore, it is felt that such n County and City Marker program would be beneficial to the area and Kerr County and community histories. The Commission has the following marker applications in process and expects many more i n 2008: • Naylor Ranch • Texas Ranger Patrol Trail The committee will continue to maintain an oversight of the existing Historical Marker brochure supply to assure there is enough quantity in the community to support the demand. is KERR COUNTY HISTORICAL. MUSEUM Folks have been trying to organize and operate a history museum since the 1930's. Kerr County has the disfiinction of being one of only a very few counfiies to not have a county museum. The Historical Commission is dedicated to achieving a museum goal. ENDANGERED HISTORIC PROPERTIES The Kerr County Historical Commission will establish a procedure to explore, describe and act on the endangered historic properties. WEB SITE Joe Luther is chair of this committee and Webmaster. The KCHC web site has been updated in January 2008. It will continue to be maintained and enhanced throughout 2008. KERR COUNTY HISTORY UPDATE The Kerr County history needs to be updated with new publications. The web site for the Kerr County Historical Commission has added additional information regarding fihe pre- 1900 history of Kerr County. MAP COLLECTION The Kerr County Historical Commission is seeking out and digitally storing historic maps of this region. The map sources are from all over the world. Joe Luther is taking the lead on this project. 19 ARCHIVES Julia Stehling is taking over the chair of this Committee. One of Inst year's major projects was to explore, with library staff, the possibility of using the second floor of the Kerr Regional History Center. No action or progress was made during 2007. At present, ali of the Kerr County Historical archives are still stored in the small room in the basement of the courthouse. The use of the second f laor of the Kerrville Regional History Center bui (ding for the archives is in limbo pending decisions regarding the movement and/or new construcfiion of the library. This is a critical problem. EXHIBITS Francelle Collins is chair of this committee. KCHC will provide a display entitled "Indigenous Peoples of Kerr County" at the KACC facility from ~o~ ~, ~~ ~ ~, ~ ~ Bill Rector has generously offered to assist in the funding of this project in memory of his brother. Bryant Saner and Joe Luther are working with Bill Rector to acquire items for this year's exhibit collection. PUBLICITY Lew Williams is chair of this committee. There will be n continued effort to bring to the public's attention the activities of the Commission and it's members. COLLECTORS PLATE As part of the fund raising for the Union Church Building, the Commission had 150 numbered commemorative collectors plates designed and manufactured. The sale of these plates will continue during the 2008 calendar year. Clnrabelle Snodgrass is in charge of this project. The Commission will explore selling these on Ebay. 20 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Each year the Texas Historical Commission (THC) hosts a conference for professionals and volunteers interested in historic preservation. The THC partners with preservation organizations to offer innovative ideas and creative solutions to help preservationists achieve their goals. The 2008 Annual Historic Preservation Conference will be held May 1-3 2008 at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi. A modest budget increase is being requested so that more members of the Kerr County Historical Commission will attend and participate. HERITAGE TOURISM The Kerr County Historical Commission is working with a number of local organizations to enhance the Heritage Tourism elements of the Historic Downtown. Joe Luther is coordinating this activity. Among these efforts is nn initiative to establish an icon for Kerrville to give it an identity and n sense of place. The icon we are working on is the Texas Ranger. Leveraging the opportunities created by the new $3 million dollar museum and educational facility being constructed by the Former Texas Ranger Foundation, we are seeking to erect an historic statue of a Rangers at the foot of Enrl Garrett Street and n memorial obelisk nt the intersection of Enrl Garrett and Jefferson Streets. The historical corridor thus created would be extended from Water Street to Jefferson Street and would add the buildings on the east side of Earl Garrett in the block north of Main and the east lawn of the courthouse square. 2t BUDGET The 2008 budget requested from the Commissioners` Court is $4,000.00. These f ands wi I ( be a) located for the following activities: • Archives $750.00 • Oral History $500.00 • Union Church Bui Iding $750.00 • Supplies $350.00 • Postage $200.00 • Awards $100.00 • TNC Meetings $800.00 • KAGC Display $200.00 • GPS Project $150.00 • Field Research & Mapping $200.00 TOTAL $4,000.00 22 .~I,~r~~rc~ ~~~p v~.~~r r~ ~Nr~~~ ,sr~~r ~ P~.~r~rrrc~~ ~~ ,... .P r ~ ~, _,,~.._." T~S'7~~I~S'HF'D I~~SI ___ Document courtesy of Kerr County Historical Commission 23 June 2007 ~ ~`° The celebrated Camp Verde General Store is located nt what may be the most historic cross roads in Kerr County. From this legendary place, visitors can look out upon the Verde Creek Valley that has been the setting for the play of historic events for hundreds of years. Standing upon the veranda of the famous General Store, one looks south across Verde Creek to the scopes of the mountains upon w~~hich Tonkawas, Jumanos, Lipnn Apaches and Penntekn i.ii~"iGri~liw~s iI~iS2d. FrCR; iii °. fli@ >r.^s."i ~~'~' TcXwi iJi~yl+~iu3r' 173, which runs north and south connecting Kerrville and Bnndera, traversing the famous Bnndera Pass Battleground. Along this ancient road, irxligenous tribes, armored Spanish soldiers and long-robed missionaries as well as other European adventurers, on foot, by horseback and with ox-carts, pushed their way up the rough canyons and rocky streams of Kerr County. The Nill Country around modern Kerr County was called by the Spanish "Lomerio 6roande , n range of grant hills. All the country west of the Balcones Escarpment was considered Apacberfa and hostile. North of Camp Verde was Comancberia. In fact, a major Comanche Wnr Trace followed Verde Creek and the route of FM 420 from Center Point to the Camp Verde Store. From the veranda, one could have seen Apache and Comanche war chiefs such ns Castro and Buffalo Hump, as well as the infamous Kiown war chief, Santana. One of the most fenced of all Indian leaders, Santana's life inspired the character of Blue Duck in Larry McMurtry's classic Texas novel, Lonesome Dove. In the Kerr County area, the Penataka band of Comanches and Kiowas were virtually unchallenged by 1790. So superior were these warriors that development west of the Bnlcones Escarpment came to n virtual halt. After Texas Independence, Captain John Coffee Hays led his Texas Rangers west into the Hill Country to seek out the Lipnn Apaches and Penatekn Comanches. Hays commanded the San Antonio station, "the most dangerous and important Ranger post in western Texas." He personally trained Ranger c~tains Ben McCulloch and Samuel Walker. Also among these rangers was Big Foot Wallace who had n ranch just a few miles from Camp Verde. In 1843, Hnys and 40 of his Rangers fought the Comanches at Bnndern Pass, in one of the most bitter and bloody battles in the West (Texas Historic Landmark). The Rangers' new Colt Paterson five-shot revolvers decided the outcome, with more than 100 Comnnches slain. Five Rangers are buried at the south end of the pass (State Historical Marker). The Comanche dead, includira,~ a chief, are buried at the north end . 23 Texas was admitted as a state on December 29, 1845. Pioneers began filtering up the Guadalupe River valley, and land grunts were issued in what is now Kerr County as early ns 1846. In 1854, Dr. J. Clark Ridley hired n work party of Mormon men from Bnndera to construct a milldam on Verde Creek. Settlers continued to face the dangers of frequent Indian attacks. In response to this terrifying and devastating frontier warfare, the Second United States Cavalry was organized specificxilly for service on the Texas frontier. Just after Christmas 1855, Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston brought this famous elite regiment, which included 750 cavalrymen, to his new headquarters nt Fort Mason, Texas. Camp Verde (National Historic Register and Texas Historic Landmark) was established on July 8, 1855. on the northern bank of Verde Creek one mile upstream from the present General Store. In 1856 Cnmp Verde was headquarters for forty camels =.J sent by U.S. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis to be used in ;. a system of overland communications. The men of the Second y. Cavalry called Camp Verde "Little Egypt," and the garrison ~ :, ~ `~ was described as "one of the most desirable posts in Texas, ~ ~-~ ', ~ a except for the camels." _ ~ -- The Camp Verde General Store (also a Texas Historic Landmark) that originated as the Williams Community Store was established one mile downstream from the Army Post in 1857 in order to serve the needs of soldiers stationed there. When Williams's health failed in 1858, the store was acquired by Charles Schreiner and his brother-in- Iaw, Caspar Real. The store was open only on army paydays. Camp Verde's first post office was established in 1858, probably operated from Schreiner's store. A second army outpost, Camp Ives, was established in Kerr County on October 2, 1859 about four miles north of Camp Verde on Turtle Creek. It was abandoned in 1961 because of the impending Civil Wnr. The army post nt Camp Verde was surrendered on March 7, 1861, when the Confederate forces captured it. The capitulation of Camp Verde to the Confederates is detailed in the book Wiflr fha Border Rufficns written by R.H. Williams , a Confederate sergeant who was present at the surrender. "A sergeants' guard received us and "" ~ ,„ escorted us into the fort . .Lieutenant Hill, the sum ~ «g ~ officer in command, was to march out next day and report • ;+ w.~ himself and his command at San Antonio. So at two o'clock that day, he marched out and we took possession ~' of the fort, the stores, ammunition, twelve mules, eighty _ q i.' : camels, and two Egyptian camel drivers, for all of which I n nine .. e.•ein+ ., h..d #a y..` .. r~..~.,r.. The Confederate States of America didn't know what to do with the camels. The camels that Confederates managed to corral were used to haul cotton to Mexico. Each camel carried two bales, one on each side, to Matamoros, Mexico and returned with a load of salt. Some 600 Union soldiers captured early in the Civii War were confined in a facility named "Prison Canyon" southwest of the army post. The camp was famous for its 3 steep cliffs surrounding the internment area. Prisoners, held from Aug. 1861 until sometime in 1862, had their tents token from them, but were allowed to build impromptu shacks and dugouts they called "shebangs". 24 A second Camp Verde (now CSA) two miles below the old Camp Verde US Army Post was established on March 31, 1862, by James M. Norris, as n ranger station for n unit of the Frontier Regiment (Texas Historic Landmark). The troops furnished their awn guns and horses, but often lacked food, clothing, and supplies. Scouting parties and patrols effectively held down the Indian raids until war's end. A famous local guide was Josn"e Policarpo Rodriguez -"The Old Guide": Surveyor, Scaut, Hunter, Indian Fighter, Ranchman, Preacher, who is buried at Polly's Chapel (State Historical Marker), just southeast of Camp Verde. Camp Verde was reoccupied by United States troops in 1865, and finally abandoned on April 1, 1869. A post office and store continued to provide irregular service to area inhabitants after the military carr~r was abandoned. Affer the return of normalcy, Bandera Pass again saw streams of heavy traffic, now with cattle being driven north to Kansas on what came to be known as The Western Trail. Thousands of cattle were driven past the old Camp Verde General Store. The Camp Verde General Store and Post Office continued to serve the trail drivers, pioneer ranchers and Texas Rangers of the area. The Texas Rangers established a Frontier Battalion Post at Camp Verde in 1$70 until 1882. Captain John W. Sansom, described as "one of the most fearless, energetic and respected captains of the Texas Rangers", commanded the Rangers at Camp Verde. The Old Texas Ranger Trail (Texas Historic Marker) from San Antonio passed through ~'~, ~°~- ~,, ~ ` Bandera Pass and Camp Verde on its way to the ~ ~ ~`° ~ ` '~ ~ Kerrville. Captain Neal Coldwell was in command of ~ ~ ~ ~=_-:~ ,~ ~'~ Company F, shown in this photograph. The battalion ; v~ ; ~ ~' . `~~ -- "thinned out" more than 3,000 Texas desperados. Kerr a.. ~ ~~"' 4 ~~~~'~ County is well represented by Texas Rangers with 32, ~ ,~,_ including Coldwell, buried in the Center Point Cemetery ,. __ .-~.a ._. __ . _-- (Texas Historical Marker), a few miles east of Camp Verde. Walter S. Nowlin operated the store and post office in 1899. The New Cash Store shown in the photograph was located about 100 yards west of the present building and was operated by William New. ,~ .~~'~~i ~' - ; ~. i The present Camp Verde Store ° - ,~ ~~, was constructed in 1908 as a ~~ after n flood washed away the .~ ~,- _ ~~~ .. yi .~ ~` ~_~,,` ~ original store building. A. D. ~` ~ ~ ~` ~- ~ - '' "',. McBryde ran the store and past ~_ , .~ . -'~ - ~" -~ .. ~ ~ ~ office for more than 25 years. v~ ~'.,D _ i J,~~-~ F. The buildings of the old army -_: - -~ ~ post were destroyed by fire in a ,, 1910. Historical markers may be frurd at the !^.ra#:on a'~ the ar:ry prat ^;~! at the bca::t:fl:1 :';`:~6•~f..ah~ ~w4 ~M Verde Creek, across from the General Store. June 23, 2007 celebrates the Sesquicentennial - 150th anniversary - of the establishment of the Cnmp Verde General Store. The store is open seven days a week, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. in the summertime, 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. during the winter. A small cafe there serves lunch from it a.m. to 3 p.m. 25 !~'..? ~ ~V~~ .'s~~_.~ ~E ~ _, ,L '.l ,E .%ur~a. ~'~~~ ~~~r~a °_ ° ,~~ w. rte'." `~ ~ ~! ~• ~~, c~ _? i; ; ~~: ,~3= c~~v~.era ~ Sto~~ ~St. ~ ~ /~ .`ti } _ _~, ='y ear' ~~' t'`°' ? ~' - ; ; ,.. //Mlr . {~~`:t, w, T- 4? .i ~ K. a. n ~ - .~. ~a~.2`~! v~Y7i~th t .F ~~r., 29° 53' 3T'N, 99° 06' 16"W Camp Verde General Store, 285 Camp Verde Road East, Comp Verde, Texas 78010 830-634-7722 ~t~a€~a~~f~r_ Y~'orlc~ cc~r~, -~: I/~tav ~ ~r~~~erc~lstr~~v ~~m~ Kerr County Historical Commission 700 Main Street, Suite 122 Kerrville, Texas 78028 Telephone - 830-896-5320 -Fax - 830-896-1364 v fir. . Derr . ~`~ . ~litr~i~ 26