final nl - San Antonio Conservation Society

The San Antonio Conservation Society
JOURNAL
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GHOSTS OF SAN ANTONIO
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W I L L I A M S
t’s almost Halloween time again! In keeping with the season,
let’s talk briefly about some of the haunted spots we have here in
San Antonio, many of which have close ties to the Society!
White, shot and killed by her common law
There’s the circa 1824 Yturri-Edmunds
husband, Henry Wheeler, in 1876. The hotel
House on Mission Road, often visited by the
paid for the casket and gravesite for this
friendly spirits of Miss Ernestine Edmunds,
popular employee. She returns frequently to
her mother, Vicenta, and sister, Josephine.
PHOTO OF CADILLAC BAR (STUMBERG
oversee the cleaning of the
And there’s the Jose
BUILDING) COURTESY OF HECTOR CARDENAS
rooms and corridors once
Antonio Navarro
refurbished by Dr. Paul Boskind. Long the
assigned to her, and numerous
House on Laredo
home of friendly spirits, the lovely old mission
guests and housemaids have
Street, built sometime
style former Methodist Church still welcomes
seen her as she scurries
around 1832, where
the spirits of “Miss Margaret,” “Henrietta,”
about, her arms laden with
a rocking chair still
“Little Eddie,” and several other visitors
fresh linens.
rocks, even though
from the spirit world who enjoy teasing
The Bullis House Inn is
no one is in the room,
Victoria, the cook and her kitchen. The newly
another interesting landmark.
and there’s’ no
remodeled building is attractively decorated,
The circa 1909 home of
breeze blowing!
and the patio with its bright orange umbrellas
General John Lapham Bullis,
Had the
PHOTO OF GOVERNOR’S PALACE PATIO
add a nice touch to the King William
the
commander
of
the
famous
Conservation Society
COURTESY OF HECTOR CARDENAS
landmark at the corner of Wickes and
Buffalo Soldiers cavalrymen,
not stepped in, the
South Alamo.
is at the corner of Pierce and Grayson, just
1749 Spanish Governor’s Palace on Military
Not far from the Governor’s Palace is the
across from the Fort Sam Houston
Plaza might have been demolished. Instead, it
popular Cadillac Bar at 212 South Flores. It
Quadrangle. It is haunted by numerous ghosts
was restored to its former glory, and today is
is housed in the old 1870 Stumberg Building.
including the Apache headman, Geronimo,
visited regularly by hordes of individual
I often take my tour groups
captured by General
tourists and group tours. Curator Mario Garza
there, where the melancholy
Bullis. Architect
has placed the Spanish colonial furnishings
countenance of a young
Harvey Page, who
much as they would have been arranged
woman clothed in white is
designed the mansion
during the time the building was used to house
sometimes seen in the upstairs
for Bullis has made
the fledgling Mexican government offices
dining area. Owner Jesse
his presence known
around 1821. According to Garza, a lovely
Medina believes she might
in the room he once
young woman dressed in white, with mantilla
have rented quarters on
occupied while
draped over her raven locks, is frequently seen
the second floor in the old
putting the finishing
standing in the doorway to the diningPHOTO TAKEN IN THE LATE 1800s OF
STUMBERG
GENERAL
STORE
COURTESY
limestone building. Numerous
touches on the
conference room. Garza believes she may be
OF SACS LIBRARY & ARCHIVES
employees have witnessed late
interior of the house.
the wraith of Ursula Verimendi Bowie. He and
night
appearances
of her over a period of years.
The laughter of little children is also heard
his coworkers have also spied the shadowy
frequently in the entry foyer where guest let
figures of Spanish dancers on the walls of the
Docia Williams has long been known in San Antonio
youngsters play while the adults visited in the
front parlor, or “salon de baile.”
for her knowledge about ghosts in San Antonio.
adjacent parlors.
Down on Alamo Plaza, the venerable
She has authored seven books about ghosts
The Church Bistro and Theater at King
Menger Hotel, built in 1859, is host to
throughout Texas and travels world wide giving
William, formerly known as the Alamo Street
numerous residents from the spirit world. The
lectures for mystery tours. She is a long time
Theater, recently was purchased and
most famous is probably chambermaid Sallie
member and supporter of the Society.
WHO’S SMILING NOW?
BRUCE MACDOUGAL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
T
he word is out. Joseph
Fitzsimons the San Antonio
lawyer and rancher and the
chairman of the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Commision has spoken
about the need for meeting the
increased demand for recreation
and conservation of our natural
resources as our population
continues to grow.
The solution is raising the cap on the
portion of the state sales tax for sporting
goods that is allocated to state parks. The
legislation introduced to address this need
failed in the last session. Fitzsimons is
keeping the issue alive.
Any time you hear about lack of funding
for the parks maintained by the Texas
Department of Parks and Wildlife pay
attention. What is normally a story about
our beleaguered open space and recreational
parks is often also about our state owned
historic parks. Just because they are not
mentioned, do not think that they are not on
the chopping block. In fact, their lack of
priority in press releases is symptomatic of
their general lack of priority within the
system. The historic parks are perennially
on the hit list of parks to be cycled out to
the state system. This hits close to home.
Casa Navarro and the Landmark Inn in
Castroville each have had their time on the
legislative hit list.
Casa Navarro, the restored mid-19th
century home is a primary example of
2 the value of state parks that preserve
important aspects of state history. The
complex of buildings is a tangible reminder
of the achievements of Jose Antonio
Navarro, a signer of the Texas Declaration
of Independence whose political career
spanned Mexican Independence, the Texas
Revolution, Statehood and the Civil War.
Saved from demolition by the Conservation
Society, the complex was carefully restored,
opened to the public in 1964 and ultimately
donated to the State of Texas to become
part of the state parks system. Located in
the shadow of the 1950’s Bexar County
Jail, across Nueva Street from the city’s
police headquarters, its current context is
a painful reminder of the days of Urban
Renewal rather than a reminder of the
colorful immigrant neighborhood of which
it was once a part. Not surprisingly,
visitation is weak and the park, like most
of the state’s parks, operates at a significant
deficit. Casa Navarro is just one of the
reasons why Fitzsimons’ plea to increase
the revenue stream initially established to
fund parks is so important in the upcoming
legislative session.
a
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
Barbara Hall, Editor/
Committee Chairman
Hector Cardenas, Vice Chairman
Virginia Nicholas
Jeanne Albrecht
Florence Alcoser
Lorraine Babcock
Ella Carlson
Patricia Ezell
Sharon Fitzpatrick
Jeannette Galin
Marcie Ince
DeAnna Keesee
Linda Lafuente
Courtland Ann Olivet-Smith
Anne Parrish
Lee Perry
Patsy Shows
Dru Van Steenberg
Docia Williams
Staff Person:
Tammy Huelsberg
From another perspective, the park’s
future is already rosier. A dedicated group
of Navarro descendants, with the assistance
of supportive state and local staff and led by
Dallas resident Sylvia Navarro Tillotson,
has stepped up to form a friends group
“dedicated to enhancing the profile, legacy
and accomplishments of Jose Antonio
Navarro and to solicit for the benefit of the
of the operation and maintenance of Casa
Navarro State Historic Site”.
The Friends of Casa Navarro’s first
project is an educational project to share the
stories of the life and times of Jose Antonio
Navarro in an exciting hands on way—to
“touch, to hear and to experience the
world” of this Tejano leader. Learn more
about the project on the Casa Navarro web
site. The Conservation Society has assisted
the launching of Friends of Casa Navarro
by paying for legal and filing expenses for
the registration of the group as a Texas
non-profit corporation.
With the hope of increased state funding
and the energy and purpose of the Friends
of Casa Navarro, why wouldn’t Jose
Antonio Navarro have a smile on his face?
journal
T
he Journal is published
four times annually by the
San Antonio Conservation Society.
Send letters, articles or comments to
[email protected]
107 King William Street,
San Antonio Texas 78204-1399
Phone: 210-224-6163 Fax: 210-224-6168
www.saconservation.org
The purpose for which the San Antonio
Conservation Society was formed is to preserve
and encourage the preservation of historic
buildings, objects, places and customes relating
to the history of Texas, its natural beauty and all
that is admirable distinctive to our State; and by
such physical and cultural preservation to keep the
history of Texas legible and intact to educate the
public, especially the youth of today and tomorrow
with knowledge of our inherited regional values.
TRIBUTE TO
Glory Felder 1919 - 2006 Honorary Member
BY
MARIANNA
JONES
It may be said that, last
wide range of committees for more
In 1993, Glory’s dedication was
than 40 years, with her customary
recognized when she was elected to
grace, charm and conscientiousness.
the Society’s Honorary Membership.
portion of its institutional memory;
As she said in her oral history
With her death, the only surviving
Glory Henning Felder died on
interview, “Baby sitters were
Honorary Members are Lady Bird
month, the Conservation
Society lost a major
August 15. As clearly shown by the
Johnson and Lila Cockrell. She was
library’s oral history which Glory
also an active member in a number
recorded in 1992 and as longtime
of the other local organizations:
board members were well aware,
Daughters of the Republic of Texas,
Glory had a phenomenal memory for
Daughters of the American
early days of the Society and her
Revolution, and the Junior League.
Glory always had a particular love
memory was invaluable to the Board
of Directors as well as to others.
for A Night in Old San Antonio and,
There have been few members who
at her funeral, it was requested that
were as closely connected to the
Society members wear colorful Fiesta
original members who established
costumes; NIOSA-type foods were
the aims, character and strength of
served at the reception that followed
the Society, which made the
the service. Glory would have loved it.
organization what it is today.
Glory was a native of Louisiana
Marianna Jones served as president of the
PHOTO TAKEN DURING NIOSA.
COURTESY OF NIOSA SCRAPBOOK
but, as the saying goes, “she got to
Society from 1993-1995. She has served on
many committees and was our librarian for
Texas as fast as she could” when her
unknown in those days. It became
the Society for many years. She is presently
family moved to San Antonio in
natural to take part in everything.”
involved in numerous organizations in the
1930. She became a member of the
This effort quickly brought her to
city including Friends of the Park.
San Antonio Conservation Society in
the Board of Directors, where she
1947 and, often involved members
was a staunch member for most of
of her family, worked tirelessly on a
those years.
g
3
NEW OFFICERS 2006-07
NEW DIRECTORS 2006-07
Back Row: Margaret Winn, Dru Van Steenberg, DeAnna
Keesee, Jody Williams, Jill Harrison Souter, Tao Bennett,
Alice Ives, Jacqueline Revis, Cindy Smith. Front Row:
Joan Gaither, Virginia Nicholas, Marcie Ince
Back Row: Tina Thacker, Loraine Zaiontz, Jacqueline Revis,
Ella Carlson, Terry Carter, Janet Dietel, Roberto Hinkson.
Front Row: Fran West, Allison Elder, Cindy Smith
®
NIOSITA ...
A
smaller version of our famous
NIOSA® block party
customized any time of the year
for your special event.
BY JEANNE ALBRECHT
A NIOSITA® is just what it sounds
like….a mini NIOSA (“A Night in
San Antonio”) created especially for a
convention/meeting/wedding or special
occasion of any kind for groups of 500
or more, at any time of the year. It is a
perfectly planned celebration bursting
with color, fun, costumed characters,
food and music – guaranteed to make the
participants feel like true Texans.
We hold our NIOSITAs in several
venues in La Villita under the bright
Texas stars, surrounded by Texas history,
lush landscapes and our colorful
fiesta decorations.
The food is designed to please a wide
variety of palates—from fresh tortillas and
fajitas to Texas bar-b-que—and beer,
margaritas and desserts available. Coming
back for seconds is not only permitted but
encouraged. Guests can kick up their
heels to a two-step, prance through a polka
or strut to the sounds of mariachis or
Dixieland jazz.
4
The fun-loving volunteers who serve at
NIOSITAs are members of the San Antonio
Conservation Society, and are eager to
make your event a true celebration for
everyone involved…including themselves!
Our friendly smiles add the special touch
of Texas hospitality.
NIOSITAs are patterned after
the Society’s famous “A Night in Old
San Antonio” (NIOSA)—a four night folk
festival held each April celebrating the city’s
cultural heritage through ethnic costumes,
food, music and fun. For 58 years, this
preservation fundraiser has sponsored this
wonderful celebration for more than
100,000 revelers each year, so we have the
art of throwing a party down to a science!
We’ll provide the food, beverages,
entertainment and authentic atmosphere
for your guests to enjoy—whether your
invitation list numbers in the hundreds or
in the thousands.
The funds generated by NIOSA and
NIOSITAs support the activities of the
San Antonio Conservation Society, one
of the country’s largest and most active
preservation organizations, which has been
instrumental in saving many elements of
the city’s culture as well as its natural and
built environment.
Let us plan a NIOSITA especially
for your group. You can reach us at
(210) 226-5188, fax (210) 226-4942 or
[email protected], or visit www.niosa.org.
N
E W
M
E M B E R S
Toby Adrian Alcoser
Richard L. Berry
Mary Thornhill Burton
Sandra A. Gallardo
Ernest J. Gerlach
Robert Hadley
Leonard Jimenez
Brenda Laureano
Betty R. Moseley
Holly A. Nicholson
Hallie Jo Smith Nikotich
Laura Olivera
Neal Pelsor
Earl C. Rabke III
Edward H. Reischling
Sharon Sagray
Ned A. Small
Brenda Kaye Welsh
Mary Jean Williams
W E B S I T E I N F O R M AT I O N
Would you like to know more about
properties owned by the Society? Interested
in finding out about our history? What is
the San Antonio Conservations stance on
some of the preservation issues happening
in our city? Interested in becoming a
member? Find out for yourself at the
Society’s website: www.saconservation.org.
The San Antonio Conservation Society
is going high tech; if you would like to join
us and receive notifications and information
about hot issues via email please let us
know at [email protected]
SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION
SOCIETY FOUNDATION
NEWS FROM THE
JUNIOR ASSOCIATES
B
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2006-2007
Officers & Directors
Mrs. Florence Alcoser
Anna C. Armstrong, M.D.
Mrs. Nancy Avellar
Ms. Jackie Belcher
Mrs. Tao Bennett (Secretary)
Ms. Beverly Blount-Hemphill
Mrs. Lynn Bobbitt
Mr. Wayne Bowden
Mrs. Sally Buchanan
Ms. Ella Carlson
Mrs. Terry Carter
Mrs. Janet Dietel
Mrs. Allison Elder
Mrs. Marilyn Engelking
Mrs. Janet Francis
Mrs. Joan Gaither (2nd VP)
Mrs. Claire Golden
Ms. Barbara Hall
Mr. Roberto Hinkson
Mrs. Loretta Huddleston
Mrs. Loyce Ince
Mrs. Marcie Ince (1st VP)
Mrs. Bebe Inkley
Mrs. Alice Ives (Chaplain)
Mrs. Pat Jessee
Mr. Charles John
Mrs. Barbara Johnson
Mrs. Marianna Jones
Mrs. June Kachtik
Mrs. DeAnna Keesee (4th VP)
Mrs. Barbara Lawrence
Mrs. Pinkie Martin
Ms. Clifton McNeel (5th VP)
Mrs. Virginia S. Nicholas (President)
Mrs. Anne Parrish
Mrs. Joanna Parrish
Mrs. Tance Patton
Mrs. Peggy Penshorn
Ms. Paula Piper
Ms. Jacqueline Revis (Parliamentarian)
Mrs. Inell Schooler
Mrs. Cindy Smith (NIOSA Treasurer)
Ms. Jill Souter (Presidential Advisor)
Mrs. Tina Thacker
Mrs. Cindy Thomas
Mrs. Chris Turner
Ms. Mary Ann Turner
Ms. Dru Van Steenberg (Treasurer)
Ms. Missy Washington
Mrs. Fran West
Mrs. Jody Williams (3rd VP)
Mrs. Margaret Winn (Historian)
Mrs. Sidney Yarbrough
Mrs. Loraine Zaiontz
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Florence Alcoser
Historic Preservation
Charles John
Military Liaison
June Kachtik
City South
Month
Barbara
Lawrence
Yturri-Edmunds
Anna C. Armstrong Membership/Volunteer
Historic Site
Coordinator
Anne
Parrish
Resource Development
Nancy Avellar
Hospitality
Joanna
Parrish
Historic Farm & Ranch
Jackie Belcher
Warehouse
Complexes
Wayne Bowden
Properties Accession,
Tance Patton
Heritage Education
Deaccession & Inventory
Seminar
Ella Carlson
Steves Homestead
Terry Carter
Library/Resource Center
Roberto Hinkson Revolving Fund &
Janet Dietel
Program
Properties Acquistion
Allison Elder
Scholarship & Grants
Cindy Thomas
Strategic Planning
Marilyn Engelking Historical Markers,
Chris Turner
Endowment
Oral History & Research
Mary Ann Turner Speakers’ Service
Claire Golden
Wulff House/Stuemke
Missy Washington Junior Associate
Barn
Membership
Barbara Hall
Publications/Newsletters
Fran West
Awards
Loretta Huddleston Historic Building Survey
Sidney Yarbrough La Villita Properties
Pat Jessee
Yearbook
Loraine Zaiontz
Heritage Education Tours
If you are interested in becoming involved in any of the preceeding committees please call 210-224-6163.
Y
M
I S S Y
WA
S H I N G T O N
The Junior Associates elected a new
slate of officers at their May meeting.
The new officers for this year include:
President - Sarah Avellar, Vice President
- Louisa Avellar, Secretary - Tommie Lee
Turner, Historian - Haley Demos and
Treasurer - Joshua Keesee. In addition
to the election of officers our May
meeting was an informal planning
meeting to outline our activities for the
upcoming year. The Juniors have several
programs lined up for this coming year;
some of which include “behind the
scenes” tours of the Art Museum, the
Pearl Brewery during it’s renovation
as well as taking in the movie at the
recently renovated Aztec theater along
with a tour. Although we are only in the
planning stages, it looks as if the Juniors
will be participating in the Cavaliers
River Parade and the Battle of Flowers
Parade in addition to our customary ride
in the King William Parade. We will
need lots of help to make these events
successful. This looks to be a fun filled
year for the Junior Associates and I
would like to encourage lots of active
participation. If you would like to be a
part of the Junior Associates or know
someone that would, please feel free to
call Missy Washington at 224-6163.
Please be aware that notices for
Junior Associate membership will be
sent out at the same time as Active and
Associate membership renewals.
Missy Washington is the committee
chairman for Junior Associate Membership.
She is currently serving on the Board of
Directors, is an Area Chairman for NIOSA,
and involved with many other committees.
5
HERITAGE EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL TOURS
and training to give approximately 2500
children an informed experience of each
One of the great missions of the
location. A total of 12 venues will be visited
San Antonio Conservation Society is to
over a period of three weeks. Among the
inform and educate the public about the
sites to be visited this year are the Society’s
significant historic sites in San Antonio.
treasures, the Steves Homestead and the
And there is no greater
Yturri-Edmunds, as
privilege than the opportunity
well as the Alamo, the
to sponsor the Heritage
Spanish Governors
Education Tours. Each year
Palace, and Fort Sam
50 4th grade classes are
Houston. To give the
selected from among all
children an even more
the elementary schools in
authentic experience,
San Antonio to be shuttled
Living History
to some of the city’s most
volunteers dressed in
significant historical sites.
period costume act as
PHOTO OF LORAINE ZAIONTZ WITH
Volunteers from the
docents. HET in its
BARBARA LAWRENCE AT THE YTURRIEDMUNDS HISTORIC SITE PROPERTY
Professional Tour Guides
infancy began as the
COURTESY OF HECTOR CARDENAS
Association offer their time
Texas Under Six Flags
BY LORAINE ZAIONTZ
Tour in 1960. Few details of the logistics
and scripts used during that time exist
today. But the spirit and purpose still live
on. The dates of this year’s tours are
November 1st thru November 17th. For
more information on how you can become
apart of this important mission contact:
Loraine Zaiontz at 224-6163.
Loraine Zaiontz is the committee
chairman of the Heritage Education Tours. She
is currently on the Board of Directors and is the
Decorations Chairman for NIOSA. Loraine has
served on numerous committees with the Society.
Barbara Lawrence is currently the
committee Chairman of the Yturri-Edmunds
Historic Site. She is serving on the Board of
Directors, is Area Chairman for NIOSA and
many other committees.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LIBRARY & RESOURCE CENTER
B
Y
P
A T
E
Z E L L
Did you know that an acequia used to
run in front of San Fernando Cathedral? If
so, have you ever wondered the name of
that acequia?
These are examples of the type of
research questions received and answered
by Beth Standifird, Librarian at the
Conservation Society library. The library
has grown and expanded since the early
days when Kay Hart began a lateral file
collection in the basement of Bolivar Hall
in the 1950s. Years later, in the 1970s Alice
Johnson began organizing the library at
511 La Villita with one shelf of books and
a shoebox full of cards for the card catalog.
She was the first librarian and considered
to be the Founder.
The present day library, housed on the
3rd floor of the Wulff House, is packed
with valuable resource materials, many
of which are found in no other library in
the city. The collection includes over 5100
volumes of books focusing on architectural
history, historic preservation, urban
planning, architectural restoration
techniques, plus San Antonio and general
Texas history. The 16.5 linear feet of
documents in lateral files feature people,
places and things related to San Antonio.
There are over 3200 historic
6 photographs and postcards and over
100 tape - recorded interviews including
transcripts of the majority of the interviews.
There are 400+ architectural drawings,
which are consulted by local historians,
individuals and architectural students. The
approximate 300 maps depict Texas, Bexar
County, and San Antonio, c. 1687 to 1996.
San Antonio maps include Augustus Koch’s
nineteenth century Bird’s Eye Views and a
complete set of 1952 Sanborn Fire
Insurance Maps. Oftentimes individuals,
who are applying for a historic designation
for their property, access the library for
history on the property and original family.
As one might imagine, space in the library is
at a premium.
The library is free and open to the
public, Monday – Thursday, 9:30 – 3:30 and
by appointment on Friday. There is a small
charge for photocopying. Many of the books
may be checked out for two weeks by
members of the Society. Reference books
do not circulate.
Terry Carter is the Library and
Resource Center Chairman and is currently
serving on the Board of Directors. She is
very involved with all the activities of the
Society’s Library. The ten volunteers in
the library are currently assisting with
developing an electronic inventory of both
the photo and the print collections for use in
a future on-line catalog. Volunteers are also
photocopying lateral file information onto
acid free paper for preservation purposes.
This has the added benefit of reducing the
bulk of paper in the files. Volunteers assist
in accessioning new photos, identifying and
filing clippings from current newspapers
and other publications, and they occasionally
assist patrons in answering reference
questions. The lateral files are the single
largest resource used for responding to
reference questions.
This summer, 19 volunteer “readers”
read, reviewed and rated 40 books that
had been submitted for the Conservation
Society’s Publication Awards. Books from
2004, 2005 and 2006 were considered.
The bi-annual awards ceremony will be
held on March 23, 2007. Many of the
books submitted will be added to the
library collection.
Each quarter The Journal will feature
a selection of newer books in the library.
Members are encouraged to access the
multitude of resources in the library. Beth
may be contacted at 224-6163 or by e-mail:
bstandifird @saconservation.org. Many of
the books listed below feature photos from
the library’s collection.
Pat Ezell is actively involved researching
historic properties on the Historic Farms and
Ranches Committee. She is a retired social worker,
former librarian and has written and published
articles in historical journals.
BOOKS FOR CHECKOUT
Agrasanchez, Rogelio, Jr. Mexican Movies
in the United States, A History of Films, Theaters
and Audiences, 1920-1960. McFarland &
Company, Publishers, Jefferson, N.C., 2006
(Gift of the author). This book is a richly
detailed look at Mexican cinema’s boom
years in the United States, 1920 to 1960. It
draws upon a treasure trove of files from
Clasa-Mohme, Inc., a major distributor of
Mexican films in the U. S. Chapters focus
on the appeal of Mexican cinema and the
venues that evolved where Hispanic
populations were centered, including
San Antonio. Featured local theaters include
but are not limited to: Teatro Zaragoza,
Teatro Nacional, Teatro Guadalupe, Obrero
Theater, Teatro Progreso, Teatro Alameda,
Rio Theater, the Empire, the Aztec, and the
Majestic. The book’s front cover consists of
a combination of two photos from the
Society’s collection.
Allen, Paula. San Antonio Then & Now.
PRC Publishing, 2005 (Gift of Paula Allen).
San Antonio-Express News columnist,
Paula Allen has compiled a volume of
photographs depicting San Antonio buildings
and locales as they looked years ago and as
they look today. Brief descriptions are
provided for each building and its use then
and now. In some instances, as with the
1900 city market house no longer in
existence, the old photo is shown opposite
to the page of a current photo of Mercado /
Market Square.
Cox, I. Waynne. The Spanish Acequias
of San Antonio. Maverick Publishing Co.,
San Antonio, TX, 2005 (Gift of Lewis
Fisher, Maverick Publishing). This highly
readable book provides information on
the 50-mile network of acequias, or
irrigation ditches that served the civilian
community and the five Spanish missions
in San Antonio. It is complete with maps
outlining the acequias and their relationship
to our present-day streets along with historic
photographs of some acequias.
George, Mary Carolyn Hollers. The
Architectural Legacy of Alfred Giles: Selected
Restorations. Trinity University Press,
San Antonio, TX, 2006. (Gift of the author).
This book provides a companion to the
author’s previous work on the English
architect Alfred Giles by focusing on Giles’
Texas buildings that have been restored in
the last 30 years. The Conservation Society
receives mention in relation to Giles designed
properties it either owns or has led efforts
to restore. Color photographs by Eugene
George complement black and white historical
photographs of the buildings.
Hemphill, Hugh – The Railroads of
San Antonio and South Central Texas.
Maverick Publishing Co, San Antonio, TX,
2004 (Gift of Robin Ellis). The book provides
unique and valuable information about the
history and impact of the seven independent
railroads through San Antonio and South
Central Texas. It is extensively researched
and reflects the thorough knowledge and love
of railroading by the author Hugh Hemphill.
Photographs of old railroad depots, some of
which have never been published before, are
included. It also details the many towns and
cities that were created by the railroads, the
routes they followed, the people who used
them and the economic transformation that
followed their arrival.
LEGISLATIVE VICTORY
FOR LAND CONSERVATION:
CONGRESS ACTS TO SUPPORT
CONSERVATION OF FAMILY
FARMS & RANCHES
Just prior to the Congressional Summer
Recess, Congress passed the 2006 Pension
Bill, which included legislation concerning
land conservation agreements. Voluntary
conservation agreements, also known as
conservation easements, are an important
tool for land preservation. When landowners
donate voluntary conservation agreements,
they protect resources important to the
public by giving up future development
rights while retaining ownership and
management of the land.
The new law extends the period for tax
deductions for voluntary conservation
agreements from 5 to 15 years and raises the
cap on those deductions from 30 percent of
a donor’s adjusted gross income to 50
percent—and to 100 percent for qualifying
farmers and ranchers. This allows ranchers,
farmers, and other modest-income
landowners to get a much larger benefit for
donating development rights to their land.
The 2006 Pension Bill also protects the
public interest by including a significant
tightening of the rules for appraisals of all
donated property, including stiff penalties
for inflated appraisals. However, since the
tax code change will only apply to
conservation agreements donated in 2006
and 2007, it is extremely important to
get the word out to landowners as
soon as possible.
Indeed, this new law is so beneficial to
land easement donors that it is estimated that
this legislation could double the number
of acres protected and preserved
7
in America in the next two years!
NOTECARDS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Oct. 25th
Wed.
General Membership Meeting - Director/Bylaw Vote
Speaker: Iliana Pena, Director of the Mitchell
Lake Audubon Center
Oct. 30th – Nov. 4th National Trust Conference, Pittsburg PA
Christmas Along the Corridor-Corpus Christi
to San Antonio Historic Arthur MacArthur Field,
Fort Sam Houston. For more information, call
AACOG at 210-362-5220
Dec. 2nd
Sat.
Open House John Ruckman Home, Helena TX
Dec. 2nd
Sat.
King William Christmas Home Tour
Dec. 2nd
Sat.
Christmas Candlelight Open House, Castroville TX
Castroville Conservation Society
For more information, call 830-538-3142
Dec. 2nd
Sat.
Castroville Old Fashioned Christmas, Castroville TX
Houston Square from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For more information, call 830-538-3142
Dec. 2nd & 3rd
Sat. & Sun.
Dec. 2nd & 3rd
Sat. & Sun.
Winterfest Tour of Historic Homes, Gonzales TX
For more information, call 888-672-1095
Heritage Home Tour of Historical Homes, Seguin TX
Seguin Conservation Society
For more information, call 800-580-7322
Dec. 6th
Wed.
Weihnachtsfeier (German Christmas Party)
All Members Invited, Steves Homestead 4 – 6 p.m.
Feb. 16th
Fri.
Historic Preservation Seminar
“Coming of Age – Architecture of the Mid Twentieth
Century” Prassel Auditorium, Witte Museum 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 17th
Sat.
New Associate Member Orientation
River House 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Feb. 28th
Wed.
NIOSA® Poster Unveiling
Wulff House Garden
Feb. 28th
Wed.
Navarro Birthday Party
Casa Navarro State Historic Site, 10 a.m.
Mar. 23rd
Fri.
Publications Awards
Yturri-Edmunds Historic Site
Apr. 24th – 27th
Tues. – Fri.
59th Presentation: A Night In Old San Antonio
May 19th
Sat.
National Preservation Month Celebration
Joske Pavilion, Brackenridge Park
May 30th
Sun.
May 23rd
Wed.
National Preservation Month Celebration
Yturri-Edmunds Historic Site
General Membership Meeting
Speaker: Sheryl Sculley, SA City Manager
Jun. 9th
Sat.
New Active & Associate Orientation
River House 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Jun. 27th
Wed.
General Membership Meeting
Installation of New Officers
8
Clip & Save for reference
When you visit gift shops in museums and
historial places, have you ever wondered why the
San Antonio Conservation Society doesn't have
note cards featuring our historical properties?
Guess What?
You can now purchase note cards, a package
of 8 featuring four of our restored, historical
properties for just $6.00.
The cards are available at the Carriage House
Gift Shop at the Steves Homestead. These cards
make a nice gift, handsomely wrapped with the
society logo.
107 King William Street
San Antonio, TX 78204-1399
Dec. 2nd
Sat.
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SAN ANTONIO, TX
PERMIT NO. 158
Heritage Education School Tours
JOURNAL
Nov. 1st – 17th