My introduction to you - I'm D. D. (Tex) Wright. I was elected as chairman of the Coleman County Historical Commission (CCHC) In December and took office in Jan. 2009. I was approved by the Commissioners Court on Jan. 30, 2009. I will serve for the next two years.
I have plans to continue the programs that were started in 2008 about the smaller communities in Coleman County. The first of these will be held in Novice on the 2nd of April. To supplement these community programs, we will be hearing about the ranches and farms that have been in Coleman County for over 100 years. We have already began gathering speakers for these programs.
The vice chairman and I along with our spouses will be attending the annual conference in Lakeway, Texas. Near Austin, Lakeway is one of many bedroom communities along the shores of Lake LBJ and caters to families who work in and around the Austin area and to the conferance and tourist trade.
The THC conferance will be held April 15, 16, & 17. I have already made note of this meeting to the public, but if youi are interested in attending, contact me at colemanchc@gmail.com .
I look forward to having you in attendance at our next meeting.
We have got a new program or set of programs in the works.
In case you have not heard of the farm & Ranch heritage program, I will try to explain it in a few words. To be part of this program, a property must have been in production by the same family for the past 100 yrears. This program is sanctioned by the Texas Dept of Agriculture.
We will be having some of these Coleman County ranches and farms bring programs in 2009 along with some of the small communities that we didn't get to last year.
Today I worked a deal with decendents of J. P. Morris who came to Coleman County in the 1800's. Another ranch that will be in these programs id the Day Ranch founded in the late 1800's and the Pagett Ranch that has been in the same family since about 1900.
Keep an eye on the calender for dates and times.
If you have information on or have one of these properties, e-mail colemanchc@gmail.com
Marie Miller is going to take the position of Marker Chair. Marie is a member of some of the older families in Coleman County. If you happen to see Marie, tell her thanks for taking on such a big task. I'm sure she will be a big help to the CCHC
During the meeting in Coleman, The commissioners court has approved the overhaul of the old Waldrip Bridge in Coleman County. The county will be responsible for only 20% of the cost of their 75% of the Bridge. McCullough County will be responsible for 20% of their 25% of the bridge. ( the county line is NOT in the middle of the river) The county will be able to use in kind work and materials to lower their cost of the overhaul. The Government - state and US - will be responsible for the rest of the cost.
Thats the way I understand it. If I am wronf please send us an email at colemanchc@gmail.com and I will place your words here.
The bridge is one of the longest bridges of it's kind and has more history than most bridges in this part of the country. Thanks to all who have had a part in getting this done.
Friends, Seems like I have been falling behind in keeping you informed.
Not many people made it to our planning meeting on the 5th of March. Lots of suggestions and plans were made though.
As you know our next meeting will be held in Novice at the Novice community Center. Wanda Motley, mayor, postal clerk, and general good girl when it comes to supporting the Novice Community, has promised a good program on the 100 year history. In case you have forgotten, Novice will have their 100th birthday celebration on the 4th of July weekend this year. Everyone needs to make plans to attend both the program on the community history and the Birthday Celebration.
Other programs that are in the planning stages are- May 7th we will learn of the history of Mozelle if all works out. The June program will be the history of the Coleman Rodeo. This will preceed the rodeo to make this a full RODEO month. Yipee - Ride 'em Cowboy. June should be a full month. July, we will attend the Novice Celebration on the 4th. Another program has been set up to celebrate school opening. Nancy Wylie will do a program on the authors from Coleman Countyin September. Roy Holt is one of my favorites, as well as Mrs Leona Bruce and Mrs. Gay. There are a big bunch of writers from Coleman County. Poets like Mrs. Barnes and Mr. Shields, Historians like those mentioned above, Children's authors, romance authors, etc will fill the evening. We plan to have some of these authors in attendence.
We will look for you at the next meeting. If you have thoughts or ideas, reach us at colemanchc@gmail.com
And if you are reading this, I don't have to tell you about our Web-site, but you might remind your friends about www.cocohico.webs.com
Here it is near the last of April and I have not caough up with my self. This is a busy time of year in my business and I have been busy.
The Novice program was a fun time. The Mayor of Novice and one of their citizens created a mind altering experience with their stories of What and Who were Where in the Novice past. I did not realize that the past 100 years had changed the world so much.
I played little league baseball against Novice as a boy, playing in Novice was a blast as we got to stop at the stores for pop ans snacks. Yes, there bwere a couple of "convenience stores there at the time. They were called service stations. They had sodas, snacks, and some even sold gas which the owner came out and pumped himself.
The crowd wasn't very big,but the snacks were delecious. Novice has at least a few good cooks. Wanda Motley for one.
Pat and I left on Wed. the 15th of April (Tax Day) for Lakeway, Texas for the 2009 Texas Historical Conferance. And it rained. Maybe we should leave town more often.
There were many programs that had to do with the collecting and preserving of Texas History. We had a good time and absorbed a little that should help Coleman County.
Remember, on the 7th of May, we will meet at Heritage Hall for our monthly meeting.
A group from Mozelle will bring the program. Have You been to Mozelle lately?? Some of the old town is still there. I personally an looking forward to the program.
Mr. Ted Taylor is putting together the history of the Coleman Rodeo and the Rodeo assn. He is looking into getting some of the older members to help with the program. This program will be at Heritage Hall on June 4th at 6:30.
We are now working on programs for 2010. keep us in mind