COVER:The Bunton Branch Bridge in Kyle was built in 1915 on the Austin-San Antonio Post Road. The Hays County Historical Commission dedicated a historical marker for the structure — the oldest concrete bridge in Texas — last year.
PHOTO by LARRY D. MOORE

—

FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Hays County Historical Commission has again been honored with the Texas Historical Commission’s Distinguished Service Award for local groups that “demonstrate concerted efforts to preserve the history and character of Texas.”

In 2013, the historical commission finished restoration of the 1844 former jail in San Marcos; held historical marker dedications for Cemeterio del Rio near San Marcos and the Southside School in San Marcos; finalized historical marker applications for the J.H. Barbee house in San Marcos, the Stagecoach House in Buda and the Bunton Branch Bridge in Kyle; completed and screened its fifth documentary, a film about the 101 Ranch near Buda; and began filming its sixth documentary, a film about Confederate Col. Peter C. Woods.

The commission’s other work last year includes the early stages of a joint project with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to restore a cabin built by Edward Burleson, a Republic of Texas brigadier general and a co-founder of the San Marcos; continued maintenance of the Auction Oak and the Hanging Tree, both in Kyle; and an effort toward mapping and preserving a Latino cemetery on the Abel Ranch near San Marcos with Texas State University anthropology associate professor Ana Juarez and her students.

“Our members worked very hard for this award and not many counties receive it, so we’re very happy to have earned it,” said Kate Johnson, the historical commission’s longtime chair.

Johnson and other commission members were presented the award in late June at a commissioners court session by County Judge Bert Cobb.

“You’ve been very active in restoring and preserving our history in Hays County and we very much appreciate it,” Cobb said on behalf of the commissioners court.

The Hays County Historical Commission was presented with a statewide award for its research, awareness and preservation efforts on July 22 by the Hays County Commissioners Court. Pictured left to right are: historical commission members Jo Landon; Jim Cullen; Luanne Cullen; SarahAnn Lowther and Linda Coker; Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe; County Judge Bert Cobb; historical commission chair Kate Johnson; historical commission members Delbert Bassett; Dorothy Gumbert; Jim Rendow; Marie Bassett and Jerry Moore; Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant and Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley. PHOTO by LAUREEN CHERNOW