Learning Texas History / Saluting Volunteers

Top 12 in the Texas History Poster Contest

On this Independence Day, we salute volunteers and students of our history...you help us understand our past and our future! 

 

We recently attended a meeting of the Pecos Mountain County Historical Commissions in Marfa, and learned about Fort Stockton Middle School's Texas History Poster Contest.  A project of the Pecos County Historical Commission, the 7th grade students learned from Commission members about local history, including a guided tour of Hovey School.  Though the students live in our neighboring Texas Pecos Trail Region, we thought it would be fun to share some of their work with you.

This contest is but one of the many projects undertaken by County Historical Commission volunteers across the state, who work hard to preserve our history and share it with all Texans.  Interested in learning more about County Historical Commissions?  (Click here.)  The Texas Historical Commission has an outreach program for County Historical Commissions...learn more about it here.  

In our own Texas Mountain Trail region we have several very active and award-winning County Historical Commissions.  Once again, in 2012 Brewster County, Jeff Davis County and El Paso County were recognized by the THC with their Distinguished Service Awards "to honor their concerted efforts to manage preservation programs that educate citizens and generate interest in the history and character of Texas."  THANK YOU!

 

Poster on Mirabeau Lamar by
Fort Stockton 7th grader, Emeley Marquez

Historic Hovey School, now on the grounds of
Historic Fort Stockton in our neighboring
Texas Pecos Trail Region

Nancy Hayter and Sixie Davis PCHC members discussed
education received at the Hovey School
and the use of the building as a community
center after the school at Hovey was closed

Sam Houston poster by David Arroyo

Fort Davis' Coolest 4th of July!

This year there will be a Red, White and Blue dessert contest
and bake sale for the Jeff Davis County Food Pantry!

Somebody's dressing up!
Grand Companions is having a Pet
Costume Contest!

The parade is always a highlight!

Fort Davis hosts one of the best small-town Independence Day Celebrations anywhere, the "Coolest July 4th!"  Click here to read all about it!

History Spotlight! 

Yesterday, we introduced the Fort Stockton Middle School history students who worked on Texas History posters this year for a contest run by the Pecos County Historical Commission. Here's a photo of them arriving at the Rollins Sibley House., and below a poster by Isela Rios about Sam Houston's contribution to Texas History!

Sam Houston poster by 7th grader
Isela Rios.  Great job, Isela!
Click on the poster for a closer view!

 

Arriving at Gate B6, El Paso Airport

Click on the image for a closer view

Travelers arriving at Gate B6 in El Paso's (wonderful) airport will now see this!  Our friends at the El Paso County Historical Commission worked with Southwest Airlines to add this reproduction of an image of early El Paso to the airport!  (Shown is an enlarged reproduction of a painting in the collection of the El Paso Museum of Art!)

About the image:

"In this very detailed painting by the French artist, Leon Trousset, we see a panoramic scene of the early El Paso, Texas of 1885. This scene is looking north from across the river in Mexico. At the background, we see the finality of the Rocky Mountains as they were before the current radio towers, the faded high school letters, and the magnificent homes that we see today. Beneath these mountains was a dynamic small town straining to expand to its geographical limits. On the far left, Fort Bliss welcomed travelers from the west to a picturesque valley of social activity and very productive farms and ranches. By 1885, El Paso was well established with its great hotels, banks, restaurants, a Central school, city and county buildings, and various social and entertainment centers.

In 1881, the railroads had come into town and awakened a progress that has not stopped to this day. A railway line had been built across the river to facilitate international commerce between El Paso and its sister city to the south. The railway company discouraged pedestrians from crossing over the railway bridge by placing sharp spikes on the bridge. An interesting point on this painting is the river (Rio Grande) at the lower center. Looking closely, you can see some people crossing this river in a canoe. The Rio Grande was the international boundary between El Paso and its neighboring town of El Paso del Norte (Ciudad Juarez).

 

On the foreground you can see a well-to-do gentleman on a horse speaking to another man. As they point north, they seem to be referring to some concern from across the river. There may very well be a story behind this scene. A local Mexican farmer named Pedro Ignacio Garcia had a special interest in the property on the north side of the river. In 1866, Mr. Garcia inherited some land in that precise area. He claimed that due to a flood in 1864, the river channel changed and that his land was left to the north by that change. He was in peaceful possession and was farming his land until 1881 when the railroad moved in. He explained that one day, he went to survey his crops which relate to the green stalks seen just north of the river. “I tied my horse to one of the trees by the river and got into the canoe and crossed the river”. As he surveyed his crops, he was approached by three “Texans” who at the point of a shotgun, ordered him to “leave and to never come back”. From on top of his horse, Mr. Garcia seems to be asking the other gentleman, possibly his farm manager, Juan Acosta, if he knows of any further developments or incursions on his land across the river. He received many other threats which prompted him to file a claim against the United States for his property across the river. This initiated the century long international dispute known as the Chamizal Issue which was finally settled in 1963 with the Chamizal Treaty." 
 

Our Thanks to El Paso County Historical Commission

El Paso County Historical Commission's
Bernie Sargent presents a check
to support Texas Mountain Trail
to Executive Director, Beth Nobles
 

Our Texas Mountain Trail regional non-profit organization is grateful for the participation and support of individuals and organizations across Far West Texas.  We could not do the work we do without the dedicated support of organizations like the El Paso County Historical Commission. 

Year after year, the dedicated folks volunteering their time to serve the Commission are recognized for their vibrant, creative and non-stop advocacy for the preservation and appreciation of El Paso County's history by the Texas Historical Commission and their Distinguished Service Awards.

Inside Ysleta Mission
Photo by Randy Mallory for the THC

From the EPCHC's website, "The El Paso County Historical Commission (EPCHC) is a vital link in Texas' preservation network. Few other states have a built-in mechanism that makes possible a preservation organization in every county. CHCs have statutory responsibility to initiate and conduct programs suggested by the county commissioners court and the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Over the years, CHCs have worked in a dynamic and positive partnership with the THC to preserve Texas' heritage for the use, education, enjoyment and economic benefit of present and future generations. They have been responsible for the preservation of countless historic buildings, artifacts, documents and other pieces of Texas history.

We work closely with the folks at the El Paso County Historical Commission on projects that illuminate the vibrant history and bring travelers to the county.  THANKS SO MUCH for your partnership and friendship!