ACHC on Facebook

The Atascosa County Historical Commission now has a facebook page. We are posting old photos almost daily. Keep up with our events. Check us out!

Distinquished Service Award

Atascosa County Historical Commission was honored during the County Commissioner's Court meeting on April 25 for their award of the distinguished service award by the Texas Historical Commission for the fourth year in a row. This year Atascosa CHC was one of 71 out of 254 Texas counties selected for the award.

The award recognizes CHC's that have demonstrated substantial preservation efforts, cultivated partnerships and engaged in educational opportunities that lead to a greater understanding of state and local history. Some of the exemplary efforts considered for the award include advancing youth programs, pursuing historical markers for diverse subjects, maintaining historic cemeteries, recording oral histories, assisting local museums, and surveying cultural and historical resources.

"The commitment of Atascosa County's preservation efforts demonstrates an enthusiasm for saving the real places of Texas,"said THC Executive Directive Mark Wolfe. "Your service has helped to enrich the lives of others through history, ensuring the preservation of our state's past into the future."

CHC's are a vital link in Texas' preservation network and few other states have a built-in mechanism that establishes a preservation organization in every county.

These unpaid county appointees donated an estimated $16.3 million in volunteer hours towards the preservation of Texas' historic assets in 2010. CHC's work 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.

Other CHC responsibilities include the preservation of countless historic buildings, artifacts, documents and other pieces of Texas history.

For more information about the Distinguished Service Award, visit www.thc.state.tx.us or contact the History Program's Division at 512 463-5853

Members of the Atascosa CHC pictured, Left to Right are, County Clerk Diane Gonzales, Historical Marker Chair Barbara Westbrook, Chairman Norman Porter,Sr., County Judge Diana Bautista.

Distinquished Service Award

The Atascosa County Historical Commission has been chosen to receive the DSA for the fourth year in a row by the Texas Historical Commission. The group will be recognized in County Commissioners Court on April 25, a certificate has been sent by THC and will be presented to Chairman Norman Porter, Sr. by County Judge Diana Bautista.

Seventy-one of the 254 Texas counties received the award for 2011. This year the Atascosa CHC partnered with TxDOT and THC to complete a cemetery survey, identifying 108 cemeteries in the area so that they could be put on an updated map. This tool will be used by libraries, funeral homes, county offices and historians. New historical marker subjects were researched and approved, as well.

Seven New Historical Markers for County

The newest historical markers for Atascosa County will soon be put in place. The Church of Christ of Pleasanton was the first for the 2010 marker season to dedicate their marker in October. The First Baptist Church of Jourdanton has received their marker and are making plans for a big celebration to unveil it. Second Baptist in Pleasanton will begin planning a dedication when their marker comes late this summer. Last, but not least is a marker to commemorate the integration of the Pleasanton schools. The subject was submitted as an "untold story", or an underrepresented subject, to the THC, and the marker has been totally funded by the THC. It was one of 20 subjects accepted from across the state in 2009.

Approved by the Texas Historical Commission for the 2011 round are St.Matthew's Catholic Parish Church of Jourdanton, Jourdanton ISD, which will celebrate it's centennial in 2011, and Jourdan Campbell, Jourdanton's founder.

The current Official Texas Historical Marker program, which began in 1962, is a popular way to interpret local history across the state. There are approximately 15,000 such markers throughout the 254 Texas counties.

Civil War Committee Has Formed

A committee made up of members of the Atascosa County Historical Commission and local citizens has come together to plan several events to commemorate the sesquecentennial of the war between the states. An effort is under way to locate and mark the graves of every veteran of the conflict within Atascosa County.

According to Carl L. Duaine's, "The Dead Men Wore Boots", the 32nd Cavalry Regiment was comprised of men from counties surrounding San Antonio, Companies A through K, ten excluding company J. Company E mustered under huge live oak trees that grew around the court house at Pleasanton, in Atascosa County. Local men came, and men rode in from the surrounding counties to sign under the name of the Company Captain, Lewis Maverick. In the shade of those oak trees, 103 men signed up to join company E of the 32nd Texas Volunteer Cavalry.

The committee plans to re-enact the muster of the 32nd in March of 2012, hopefully, with the help of local volunteers playing the roles of Lewis Maverick and those signing up for service. A search for the perfect oak trees is vital as plans are underway to build a replica of the old picket court house next to them.

Additionally, in 2012, Jourdanton plans to host a two day event featuring re-enactors and educational exhibits relating to this important time in our history. We hope to include activities for school children and to have something of interest for everyone.

We are also collecting stories about veterans of the Confederacy, Union and home front. We would love to put these in a book that can be shared by all. Family photographs to correspond with the stories would be most welcome.

The committee planning these events meets on the fourth Monday of each month, at 6:30 P.M, at the Jourdanton Community Center (next to the Library). The public is invited to attend. If you have an interest in history, or have an ancestor who served in the Union or Confederacy, please come to a meeting, or call one of us.
We will help you research him if you need help with that. Call Dorothy Manning at 830 769-3087 or Barbara Westbrook at 830 769-4333

Brite Book is Published

J.Taylor Brite has published an interesting book called, "Albertus Brite and Descendants of Kentucky, Missouri, Texas and California", which gives the history of the Brite and associated families, along with many interesting documents, photos and great stories.

Mr.Brite was born in Atascosa County, attended Pleasanton High School, after three years in the U.S. Air Force, entered St.Mary's Law School, earning his law degree in 1950. During this time he met and married a beautiful young nursing student from Santa Rosa Hospital School of Nursing, named Francis Calcote. After passing the State Bar the Brites came to Pleasanton where Mr. Brite practiced law for 60 years, serving 9 years as County Attorney, 17 years as District Attorney (81st Judicial District) and 8 1/2 years as District Judge, 12 years as visiting District Judge until his retirement in 1997.

The Book is a culmination of 50 years of collecting information on the Brite families, is very well organized and fascinating even if you aren't related!

Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Trail

One of the first cattleman associations in Texas had it's beginning in the old town of Pleasanton, Atascosa County, Texas. This was the Stock Raiser's Association of Western Texas, organized in 1867. This information was found in the Western Stock Journal, June, 1873. Cowmen from several counties would meet at a designated place to discuss problems and to settle up after the drives to Kansas. Those counties were Bee, Refugio, Live Oak, Guadalupe, McMullen, Karnes, Uvalde, Wilson, Goliad and others that now make up South Texas.

The Western Stock Journal kept journals in trail brand books containing records of all cattle drives from Atascosa and surrounding counties. J.Frank Dobie, in his "A VAQUERO OF THE BRUSH COUNTRY" book, has an example of this information. These old books are in the Witte Museum in San Antonio. Atascosa County records from 1868-1876 are in these journals. On page 118 of my book, ATASCOSA COUNTY HISTORY THROUGH 1912, published in 2007, there is a copy of a page from the Western Stock Journal showing the number of cattle (43,000) trailed north from Atascosa County in a three month period in the year 1873.

During the 1936 Texas Centennial, Chisholm Trail Markers (metal) were placed along this old trail. One was placed in front of the old Atascosa County Courthouse. It remained there until the building was torn down in 1953. It was then placed in front of Pleasanton's Longhorn Museum. It was stolen the first night after being placed there.

It is the feeling of many, including the Atascosa Historical Commission, that both the Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Stock Trail had its beginning in South Texas, south of San Antonio, near Pleasanton, Atascosa County, Texas, and should be part of a national trail designation. Both trails, The Great Western Trail, west of San Antonio, and the Chisholm Trail, east of San Antonio, went through Atascosa County and possibly started here. Thousands of Longhorns left Atascosa County were trailed up these two trails beginning in late 1860's through the early 1880's.


Written by: Norman F. Porter, Sr., Chairman
Atascosa County Historical Commission

Charlotte History

Anybody know how the city of Charlotte got it's name? The common belief is that Charlotte, as well as Christine and Imogene, were named for Dr.Charles Simmons daughters. He was the great land developer in the area. The trouble is, Dr.Simmons didn't have daughters by those names.

The city is celebrating it's centennial anniversary on June 12. Mr.Norman Porter is presenting the history of the town on that day and has heard various stories about the naming of Charlotte. If you know the real story PLEASE post it or email me at bwestbrook@2fastmail.com.

Six New Historical Markers for Jourdanton

The Atascosa County Historical Commission has processed four applications for markers since the application period began in October. Concise historical narratives must accompany the application and the inscription is taken from that history and written by the Texas Historical Commission. The new markers will be for the city of Jourdanton, Jourdanton United Methodist Church, St.John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Ralph Roy "Railroad" Smith. Last year we received the marker for the Jourdanton City Cemetery which will be put into place and dedicated in April to commemorate the city's centennial anniversary. One last application will be completed and turned in by the deadline on January 16. That is for Martin Abstract Company which also celebrates 100 years in 2009. The abstract company has operated under the same name and for the same purpose since it's inception. It will be Atascosa County's first marker for an individual and for a business.

Atascosa County Historical Commission Honored

The Atascosa County Historical Commission is one of 59 out of 254 counties selected to receive a Distinguished Service Award for their efforts in cemetery preservation, historical markers and youth programs. The award was presented at a luncheon during the annual Preservation Conference held at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi on May 2, 2008. The award was received by Norman Porter, Sr., chairman of the county commission. Also in attendance were members Dorothy Manning, Morris Porter and Barbara Westbrook.

County Historical Commissions follow the guidelines set by the Texas Historical Commission. They operate under the wing of the County Judge, who appoints a chairman. Members are also appointed by the County Judge and must be approved by the County Commissioner's Court. The goals of a CHC are to preserve the historic resources and to promote an understanding of the heritage of a county. Committees chairs are selected by the members.

The Atascosa County Historical Commission meets at 10:00am on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Jourdanton Community Center. The public is always welcome to attend.

Jourdanton City Cemetery Receives Historic Designation

The Jourdanton City Cemetery has been designated as a Texas Historic Cemetery by Texas Historical Commission. The honor is a culmination of work done by the Jourdanton City Cemetery Association and the Atascosa County Historical Commission. The effort required an application to be submitted with measurements, maps and black and white photographs. An historical narrative was also submitted with a bibliography. Upon approval by the THC an affidavit was filed with the county clerk's office.

The designation offers an extra layer of protection for historic cemeteries. It is a prerequisite for obtaining an historical marker. An application and more detailed historical narrative has been submitted to THC for a marker for the cemetery.

Texas Archaelogical Month

The turnout was good for the Atascosa County Historical Commission meeting on Oct.10. The guest speaker was Al Gerdes from the "Friends of Casa Navarro" group. He spoke about the artifacts found out at the Navarro ranch site. He also provided each commission member with a booklet of pictures, documents and maps from the days when Jose Antonio Navarro lived on his ranch. Al's presentation was in celebration of Texas Archeology Month

Each October the Texas Historical Commission sponsors Texas Archeology Month in association with the Texas Archeological Society and the Council of Texas Archeologists. Throughout the state supporters have planned educational and entertaining activities to promote the importance of proper archeological practices and to understand the depth and richness of our heritage.

Porter Book Gets Great Review

Anyone interested in the history of Atascosa County who hasn't read the book that Norman Porter Sr. wrote, Atascosa County History Through 1912, might want to get a copy after reading the review by Mike Cox. He reviews Texana for the Austin American-Statesman and he gave Norman's book a glowing review on Sunday, September 9th. Mike Cox refers to the book's account of Dead Man's Tank as, "an interesting overview of the mystery ", calling Norman's book, "an excellent history of his home turf". Read the entire article, then get your hands on a copy. If you can't find one, email me and I'll tell you how to get one.

Click on image to enlarge

Let's Protect Our Cemeteries

Historic cemeteries are among our most valuable cultural resources. they are also, unfortunately, vulnerable to loss and destruction. They are increasingly threatened by development, natural deterioration, neglect, vandalism and even misguided preservation efforts. Those cemeteries that are highly endangered could potentially be lost forever, along with the history they represent.

Texas state law states that as long as there is a clear indication that a grave or graves exist, the land on which they lie is considered a cemetery. Property owners may not construct improvements on the property in a manner that would disturb the cemetery. Desecration of a cemetery is "a state jail felony if the damage or destruction is inflicted on a place of worship or human burial."

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation, responsible for identifying, protecting and interpreting our historic resources. The THC works with interested citizens, County Historical Commissions and heritage groups to preserve our historic resources, including cemeteries.

The Historic designation program has been around since 1998 and provides an additional layer of protection by requiring site information to be included in county deed records. Having the designation does not restrict the use of the private land surrounding the cemetery, nor does it interfere with a cemetery association's ability to make changes to the cemetery.

Your County Historical Commission (CHC) is the first step in applying for this designation. We are available to assist you with researching the history and gathering the necessary documentation to be submitted to the THC.

If you know of a cemetery in Atascosa County that is neglected or endangered please contact Norman Porter, Sr. at 830 569-2680, Roger or Mary Jane Cumpian at 830 466-5522, or Barbara Westbrook at 830 769-4333, or for more information on the Historic Designation process visit the THC website at www.thc.state.tx.us.

Interested in Your Family Tree?

The Atascosa County Genealogical Society Library is ready to help you. We have an array of publications containing census, birth, death records as well as cemetery records and more from Atascosa County and many other counties and states. Use our computers to access ancestry.com or ask us to research for you. Our services are free of charge, however, donations are accepted and appreciated.

We would also like to invite you to join. Membership for active members is only $5.00 per year and $10.00 for supporting members. A business can join for $20.00 and your company will be advertised on our website. These membership fees go a long way towards maintaining the library.

We are located in Poteet, on Ave.H at 4th Street in the Aigner-Mumme Memorial Building. We are open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 1:00-5:00pm or by appointment on other days. To make an appointment call 830 276-4684. We look forward to seeing you.

Interested in Applying for an Historical Marker?

The Texas Historical Commission administers a program to place official Texas Historical Markers to identify deserving historic subjects.

Historical markers have been a part of the Texas landscape since 1936, when the Texas Centennial Commission placed more than 900 markers and monuments around the state to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Texas Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of Texas. The current Official Texas Historical Marker program dates to 1962 and it has been a popular means for interpreting local and state history and encouraging heritage tourism for almost four decades. There are more than 13,000 markers across the state.

Markers can be obtained for cemeteries, historic buildings, churches and synagogues, communities, events and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the community. Any individual or group may apply for a marker if the subject meets the eligibility criteria. In general, the subject must be at least 50 years old and must have historic significance, that is it has to have had some influence, effect or impact on the course of history or cultural development in the local community or beyond. Two exceptions to the 50-year rule are that historic events may be marked after 30 years, and individuals may be marked after they have been deceased for 10 years.

The marker process in Texas begins at the county level. All marker applications must first be reviewed by the County Historical Commission. The CHC can assist the applicant with understanding the Texas Historical Commission rules and suggest research ideas and sources; therefore, it is recommended that the applicant contact their CHC before starting work on a marker application.

Marker applications require a completed application form, and narrative history (usually four to ten pages long) with documentation, foot notes and an online map. These items must be presented to the county historical commission by Sept. 1, 2007 for a 2008 marker. After the application is reviewed and approved on the county level it can then be filed with the Texas Historical Commission. The process must be done electronically. The Texas Historical Commission will verify the information and documentation, then notify the CHC of their decision or if any additional information is needed. They will decide the inscription and size of the marker. A dedication ceremony can be scheduled after approval and receipt of the marker. Markers can be funded by individuals, families or donated by organizations. Cemetery markers require two separate applications. A cemetery must first be designated as an Historic Texas Cemetery before the marker application can be filed. This designation is then filed with the county clerk's office in the deed records. The recognition encourages preservation of these worthy family and community graveyards.

For more information on the Official Texas Historical Commission Marker Program in Atascosa County or to begin the application process, please call the Atascosa County Historical Commission members, Norman Porter or Barbara Westbrook. For Texas Cemetery designation and markers please call Roger and Mary Ann Cumpian.