Looking Back This Month (March)

Looking Back This Month

(March)

Quote of Note

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”

Patrick Henry – March 23, 1775 House of Burgesses St. John’s Church, Richmond, VA.

Local History

Arrival on Easter Sunday (March 25, 1845 of the Prince Solms of Braunfels expedition at the spot where joined the Comal and Guadalupe Springs (New Braunfels, Texas) with the members of the Joseph and Anna Schertz family who’s son Sebastian would eventually establish the foundation for the town of Schertz.

Texas History

On a freezing cold March 1, 1836 day, forty-four delegates met at Washington-on-the-Brazos for the purpose of drafting the Texas Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was adopted on March 2nd and

signed by a total of fifty-nine delegates, most of whom were non-native born Texans. The Republic of Texas Constitution was also formulated just prior the convention adjournment (March 17th

) due to the threat of an approaching Mexican Army.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(April)

Quote of Note

“

The Intellectual Devotional

American History

Local History

In April 1844, the Schertz and Mergele families travel from Indianola to San Antonio and settle for a year at the Alamo Mission site while awaiting promised assistance from

Impresario Henri Castro that never came. Both families fought disease and despair and eventually decided it best that they return to their native Alsace France. Fate interceded and they meet Prince Solms of Braunfels who encouraged them to join his colony in New Braunfels, Texas, which they did.

Texas History

Spanish General Alonso de Leon’s expedition finds remains of Fort St. Louis. Fearing French intentions to lay claim to Spanish Territory, the Spanish begin establishing missions and settlements in East Texas (April 2, 1689). In 1731 three East Texas missions (Nuestra Senora Dela Purisima Concepcion de Acuna, San Francisco de la Espada and San Juan Capistrano) moved to San Antonio because of economic troubles.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(May)

Quote of Note

“History provides the record of the challenges and the triumphs of generations past from which we are given insights as to the potential dangers and the rewards of certain decisions and acts”

The Intellectual Devotional – American History

Local History

The first post office was established in Schertz on May 23, 1884. On May 9, 1962, the post office building on Main Street was dedicated.

Texas History

Mission San Antonio de Valero was founded by Franciscan Father Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares (May 1, 1718) and four days later nearby San Antonio de Bexar Presidio and its civil settlement were established.

Mexican General Santa Anna and Texas’ provisional president David Burnet sign two treaties of Velasco – one public, the other secret- ending the Texas Revolution (May 14, 1836). The treaties were, however, violated by both sides. Texas independence was not recognized by Mexico and Texas’ boundary was not determined until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which ended the Mexican War in 1848

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(June)

Quote of Note

“History supplies the ties that bind a community to its past, a people to its ancestry and a city to its destiny”

Author Unknown

Local History

On June 20, 1930, Randolph Air Force was officially dedicated. A flyover involving 233 aircraft was a part of the dedication ceremony. Several local Schertz farmers sold acreage to allow for the establishment of the air base. As of 2000 the total economic impact of the air base on the surrounding community (including Schertz) was $1billion.

Texas History

The Battle of Velasco (June 26, 1832) resulted in the first casualties in Texas’ relations with Mexico. After several days of fighting, the Mexicans were forced to surrender for lack of ammunition. In June 1841, the Texan Santa Fe Expedition set out for New Mexico. Near Santé Fe, they were intercepted by Mexican forces and marched to prison in Mexico City. On June 9, 1894, oil was discovered at Corsicana; a commercial field was opened in 1896, becoming the first small step in Texas’ rise as a major oil producer.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(July)

Quote of Note

“To claim that we are as stalwart and clear eyed as our pioneer ancestors seems a complacent statement, best uttered with the tongue in the check”

Author – Calvin Shriber

Local History

On July 29, 1865, T. Gottlieb Fisher and wife Sophie (Schertz) had their homestead raided by Indians and their son Rudolf was kidnapped. Rudolf was later (1877) found and

returned to the family but after only a short stay with the Fishers, he decided to return to his adopted Indian people in the Indian Territory.

Texas History

July 4, 1845, The Texas Constitutional Convention votes to accept the United States annexation proposal; it drafts an Annexation Ordinance and State Constitution to submit to the voters of Texas. July 1, 1873, the Texas & Pacific Railway opens for service a 125 miles stretch between Longview and Dallas

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(August)

Quote of Note

“Today’s generation has all the good stuff; yesterday’s generation had all the right stuff” Author – Unknown

Local History

On August 15, 1845, Johann Jacob and Anna Elizabeth (Hofheiny) Sieler arrived in Texas from Germany aboard the sail ship Herschel and became first colonists of New Braunfels, Texas, later (1850) to become first colonists of Schertz-Cibolo, Texas. The Seiler family operated a major farm in the Schertz area for many years. Two Seiler brothers build homes along Second Street in our city’s heritage neighborhood (south of FM 78) and the family operated a hardware store at 507 Main Street. Today, two historic Seiler cemeteries exist within the Schertz city limits.

Texas History

On August 8, 1812, approximately 130 men that formed the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition crossed the Sabine from Louisiana in a rebel movement against Spanish rule in Texas. The Battle of Plum Creek (August 11, 1840), near present-day Lockhart, ended the boldest and most penetrating Comanche challenge to the Texas Republic. A hurricane struck the Port of Indianola on August 19-21, 1886 destroying or damaging every house. Indianola is never rebuilt.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(September)

Quote of Note

“History is the sum total of the things that could have been avoided” Author – Konrad Adenauer

Local History

On September 13, 1890, Sebastian Schertz, first settler of Schertz died leaving the operation of the cotton gin and corn shelling operations to sons Adolph and Martin.

Texas History

On September 11, 1842, San Antonio was captured by 1400 Mexican troops but the Mexicans retreated with prisoners. The University of Texas opened its doors in Austin for its inaugural session on September 15, 1883. On September 8, 1900, the great hurricane destroyed much of Galveston and killed 6,000 people there. The discovery of the huge East Texas Oil Field occurred with the blow of the Daisy Bradford #3 well on September 5, 1930.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(October)

Quote of Note

“Man is a history-making creature who can neither repeat his past nor leave it behind” Author – W.H. Auden,

The Dyer’s Hand

Local History

On October 22, 1843, 129 passengers aboard the Jean Key De Teau sail ship in Antwerp, Belgium, set sail for a 72 day voyage to Texas under the sponsorship of Impresario Henri Castro who promised the colonists free land west of San Antonio, Texas (Castroville). Among those aboard were nine members of the Joseph Schertz family and a son-in-law (Pierre Mergele). The Schertz family left four of their children at home in Riedisheim, (Alsace) France for latter travel to Texas. This small group of Alsatians would become the first and most influential founders of the community we today call Schertz, Texas.

Texas History

The first of several large groups of Irish immigrants arrive to settle in South Texas (October 1829). The opening battle of the Texas Revolution occurs on October 2, 1832 when Mexican troops entered Gonzales, Texas. The first Congress of the Republic of Texas convened at Columbia, Texas. On October 13, 1845, Texas voters approved annexation, the state constitution and the annexation ordinance. On October 4, 1876, Texas A&M College opens at College Station becoming the first public institution of higher learning in the state.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(November)

Quote of Note

“What is the fire in your belly but the flame of a thousand ancestors?” Author – Robert “Brault

Local History

On November 7, 1866, Sebastian Schertz purchased 307 acres of land along the Cibolo Creek in Guadalupe County and began building a farming and business enterprise that would spark development of Schertz, Texas.

Texas History

On November 23, 1835, the Texas Rangers organization was officially established by the Texas’ provisional government. Although Stephen F. Austin had hired 10 frontiersmen as “rangers” to help Protect his colonists against Indian raids in 1823. In November 1850, the Texas governor signed the compromise of 1850, in which Texas gave up its claim to the land that includes more than half of what is now New Mexico about a third of Colorado, a corner of Oklahoma and a small portion of Wyoming in exchange for the United States assumption of a $10 million debt. On November 30, 1869, Texas voters approved a new constitution. November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(December)

Quote of Note

“Glory lives only when the past is remembered”

Author – British Prime Minister John Major

Local History

In December 1961, the citizens of Schertz passed its first bond issue ever and thereby approved the building of a city-wide sanitary sewer system. The general obligation bond provided for $350 thousand dollars for construction of the system.

Texas History

On December 29, 1845, the U.S. Congress approves, and President James K. Polk signs, the Joint Resolution for the Admission of the State of Texas into the Union, Texas became the 28th

state. The Texas and Pacific Railroad reached Sierra Blanca in West Texas, about 30 miles east of El Paso, Texas.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(January)

Quote of Note

“History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies” Author – Alexis de Tocqueville (1856)

Local History

On January 3, 1849, Sebastian and John Schertz, sons of Joseph Schertz, purchased 600 acres of land in Guadalupe County (A. S. Lewis Survey) situated on the northeast bank of Cibolo Creek (Survey #78, Sect. 5). The deed record shows the brothers living on the property. This land purchase may have been the beginning event of what would become known as Cibolo Pit, Cut Off, and eventually Schertz, Texas.

Texas History

In January 1688, Kawakawa Indians finished off colonists at Fort St. Louis

following much disease and malnutrition. Steven F. Austin received a grant

from the Mexican government and began colonization in the region of the

Brazos River (January 3, 1823). The Battle of Galveston (January 1, 1863)

restored the island to Texas control for the remainder of the Civil War. The

discovery of “black gold” at the Spindletop oil field near Beaumont launched

Texas into a century of oil exploration.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.

Looking Back This Month

(February)

Quote of Note

“A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia”

Local History

On February 25, 1869, Christian Schneider purchased a 300 acre parcel of land in Guadalupe County lying on the northeast side of the Cibolo Creek (Survey #67, Sect. 3) which today is occupied, among other properties, by the Beck Landfill Company, Schertz’s only heritage neighborhood and the site of the town’s first church building (201 Church Street). On February 3, 1917, Adolph Schertz donated two acres of land for the

construction of Schertz-Cibolo High School.

Texas History

French explorer Sieur de La Salle, looking for the mouth of the Mississippi River, lands in Texas by mistake (February 16, 1685). He establishes a colony in present day Victoria which he names Ft. St. Louis. On February 1, 1845, Baylor University was founded. On February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the war with Mexico and specifying the location of the international boundary. The first railroad to operate in Texas was chartered on February 11, 1853.

Presented by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee in the interest of historical perspective and community awareness of local historical legacies.