Minutes of the JulyOSTuesday Meeting – Oral Histories

     JulyOSTuesday discussions about oral histories brought forth the objective of gathering a feeling for the early era of Old Spanish Trail auto building and travel. Is there anything left one may have seen during the 1920s and '30s of the road, buildings, monuments or other sites?  What may have happened locally or nationally to effect travel of those times?  Answers to these questions can guide OST reSearchers to topics that can be checked in old newspaper articles or other literature to enlarge the stories.  Or to places along the old roadbed where remnants of artifacts may be found.  As well as telling their stories, the elderly may also be able to introduce us to other local residents with additional reminisces of the highway.

    Judy Jackman suggested the Saturday, October 21, 2006  Founders Day in San Pedro Park as a source of stories.  Each Founders Day:  http://www.sanantoniofoundersday.org/ we have had growing numbers of OST100 volunteers helping with our display.  This year we would like to ask for even more helpers to spread out across the park gathering stories from those in other booths.

    The value of oral histories has been shown in the few we have already been able to record.  Emily Wurzbach Mickler led us to realize a need for more thorough study of the police department and highway patrol with her story of auto traffic citations from mounted police officers. A dozen of Converse Councilwoman Gloria Weers' constituents shared stories of cotton farming, pressing and shipment. And youthful stories of working in the general store, meat delivery routes and planting the palms in the schoolyard on the OST.  Altho' the cotton gins, motor courts and Belgium vegetable gardens are gone, some of the retail buildings remain and the palm trees on the lot across from the cemeteries on Upper Seguin Road. Jim Creswell's breakfast buddies at Fredericksburg Road Burger King shared stories of travel to California and San Antonio's reconstruction of 9-Mile Hill from the Medical Center down to Callahan Road.  Kathy Tarkington's friend, Charles Bry drove the Balcones Heights area with us pointing out remaining early business sites and describing cedar and oak-covered hills long gone. Harold Picton told stories of quarry methods used where Fiesta Texas now stands.    Marlene Richardson and Jeanne Dixon have undertaken the gathering of stories for their book on the history and development of the Leon Springs Community.

    We with OST100 thank you for leading us to those great new friends. Please keep the names coming of others who may be able to tell us about the political climate that allowed San Antonio to lead the building of the great southern transcontinental highway. Or those who were in the services that supported the tourism industry so important in San Antonio today: fuel stations, auto sales and repair, hotel, motel or tourist courts and restaurants, and stories of tourist attraction, entertainment or local arts. And those who commissioned, designed or labored to build the buildings we see along the OST corridor.

    More OST100 volunteers are always welcome to interview and audio or video tape those wonderful storytellers or their stories.  Photo documentation of the sites they mention is also needed.

    Using ideas gathered during JulyOSTuesday, OST reSearcher, Charlotte Travis has prepared the following information sheet for each potential oral history.

     Old Spanish Trail Centennial Oral History Log

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May Activity of OST100  Beaumont East Texas Tourism Association Conference 

JuneOSTuesday

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

4:30PM

State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer’s Office

1910 Fredericksburg Road

(next to Woodlawn Theater)

MayOSTuesday was held in conjunction with the kickoff of the three-day 43^rd Annual East Texas Tourism Association Conference in Beaumont, Texas. The OST100 ROADSHOW was well received when presented the afternoon of Wednesday, May 12, 2006. Charlotte Kahl and John Tolleson represented Bexar County OST100 and were able, during the conference, to share San Antonio OST Centennial Celebration preparation successes with Convention and Visitors Bureau, Main Street Program, Professional Tour Guides and Texas Department of Transportation personnel from the other OST cities of Houston, Beaumont and Orange.

            On the drive both over and back from Beaumont, we visited each small town Mayor’s office, Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau and those businesses still being run by the descendants of the OST councilors listed in the 1920s OST Travelogs.  In those OST cities that are the county seats, we visited with the Judge’s offices and County Historical Commissioners.  One of the OST100 objectives is to locate the original OST roadbed paved before the straightening of Alternate 90.  This trip led down narrow by-ways named Old Waelder Road, Alleyton Road, Old Hwy. 90 Loop, Old Spanish Trail, Old Gonzales Road, Dayton-Cosby Road, and Old Nome Road.

            Part of the route follows the Great Texas Coast Birding Trail and near Seguin, Gonzales and Rosenberg the Texas Historical Commission Independence Trail.  Old motor courts, historic homes and original businesses line the city streets; giant oaks, old school houses, working farms and ranches the leisurely country OST.

            Our JuneOSTuesday  at 4:30PM, June 13^th, will be a working meeting to hand out inventory, research, speaking and economic development assignments to new OST100 volunteers.  If you have a few hours to spare, this would be a good meeting to learn about OST activities and sign up to work with one of our experienced OST volunteers.

            More information about topics mentioned above can be found on www.OLDSPANISHTRAILCENTENNIAL.com  -- route information in the TRAVELOG section; OST100 work in the ARTICLES section about corridor beautification, economic development and revitalization.

Charlotte Kahl
(210)735-3503
Co-Chair OST100
(with Marianna Jones) 

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April Activity of OST100 – American Planning Association Conference

Notes of the April Activity of OST100 – American Planning Association Conference

MayOST100

2PM

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

MGM Elegante Hotel

2355 IH-10 South

Beaumont, Texas

Please join us to meet representatives from other OST cities and towns at

the 43^rd East Texas Tourism Association Conference.

Registration for May 9 to 11 conference: www.etta.com

            Bexar County, Texas OST100 April participation in the American Planning Association National Conference in San Antonio was quite a success.  OST100 organized 12 tours along the OST corridor and participated in a few more related topics.

            Charlotte Kahl shared OST information in the Trails, Tourism and Community Revitalization Seminar along with Karen Votava of the 3000-mile East Coast Greenway Alliance bike trail coalition, Janie Headrick of the Texas Historical Commission Heritage Trails Program and Al Notzon of Alamo Area Council of Governments who presented communication and political challenges in gaining U. S. National Historic Trail designation for El Camino Real de los Tejas.

            Successful bus tours along OST corridors were El Camino Real los Tejas guided by Burma

Hyde (AACOG), Al Notzon (AACOG) and Al McGraw (TxDoT archeologist); Design Enhancement in Tile by Roland Mazuca (Askew Studio) and Twyla Arthur (tile artist); Downtown Residential Development by Ben Brewer (Downtown Alliance) and Cris Young (CoSA Economic Development Dept.); TxDoT Green Ribbon Program by Chris Chambers (TxDoT landscaping);  Old Spanish Trail Transcontinental Auto Highway by Charlotte Kahl (OST100) and Mariana Dannelley (Deco District Community Development Corporation) and Kellen Kee McIntyre (Bihl Haus Arts) and Raymond Kirsch (OST100); Codes, Laws, & New Quarry Technologies by David Hagerman (Martin-Marietta Materials) and Gene Dawson (Pape-Dawson Engineers); The Pride of Black San Antonio by Diane Green (DYG Arts) and Gloria Ray (St. Paul Area Development Corporation) and Betty Green (Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association); Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization by Bobbye Hamilton (CoSA Neighborhood Action Department) and Veronica Cervera (CoSA NAD) and Paul Stahl (Deco District CDC); Downtown Development in Progress by Suzan O’Conner (3DI); On the Outskirts No Longer by Lanny Lambert (Balcones Heights City Manager) and Charlotte Travis (OST100) and Kathy Tarkington (OST100); Funding Senior Housing by Suzanne Almenderez, Sylvia Guerra, Elizabeth Gonzales and Deepak Sulakhe (all of Southwest Housing); and Downtown Living on East Houston Street by Sue Merrill (Seven Seasons Travel) and Diane Singelton, Jay Hall, Sandee Willis and Joan Korte (all of Downtown Residents Association).

            OST100 also helped plan or present information in the Historic Parks and the Trolley Influence on Suburban Development tours.

            During those tours on Houston St., Flores St.,  Fredericksburg Rd. and IH-10, city planning and economic development strategies that further the OST100 purposes of preservation and revitalization were discussed: Historic and Conservation Districts, Master Plans, Scenic Highway Corridors, Community Development Corporations, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, and Tax Increment Financing, Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization and Main Street Programs.

            OST100 wants to thank the National American Planning Association and especially the San Antonio APA Chapter for providing this opportunity to promote the Old Spanish Trail nationally.  Brandon Ross (COSA Planning Department) and Ruby Perez (San Antonio Water System) were the local Mobile Workshop CoChairs and provided extensive support to all 65 APA bus, walking, running and bike tours.

Join us if you can for

43RD ANNUAL TOURISM CONFERENCE

May 9-11, 2006

MCM Elegante Hotel & Conference Center • Beaumont, Texas

www.etta.com

Charlotte Kahl
(210)735-3503
Co-Chair OST100
(with Marianna Jones) 

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March Activity of OST100 – Scenic San Antonio Awards 

Notes of the March Activity of OST100 – Scenic San Antonio Scenic Citizens Awards

Scenic Citizens of the Year 2005
Noon to 1PM
Friday, March 24, 2006
ArtPace SA
445 N. Main

PARKING IN ArtPace LOT ON N. FLORES AT THE END OF SAVINGS ST. 

            This year's Scenic San Antonio Awards Ceremony brought to a close the two-year Beautification of N. Flores St. tree and flower planting program. The final large trees placed in the Roy Akers and ArtPace Parking Lots brought the number of trees planted along this OST corridor to over 200. During the two-year process, all but one of the empty buildings were sold along the corridor and Councilman Roger Flores and the CoSA Planning Department are working to create a Five Points Area Historic District. Revitalization of the empty buildings and historic designation of area homes, businesses and schools will lead to even more beautification of the N. Flores section of the OST for centennial travelers.

            Included among the public officials and organizations of the year awards was the Citizen of the Year Award to Maria Leake, Fox Tech High School art teacher who worked tirelessly the past two years to bring over 100 new trees and flowering plants to the Fox Tech campus and had her students create the Kingsbury St. corner tile plaques commemorating the Old Spanish Trail, El Camino Real and Fox Tech mascot. Scenic San Antonio also made Special Acknowledgement of the sponsors and volunteers who worked on the N. Flores Beautification Project.

            Explanations of the Beautification of Louis W. Fox Technical and Academic High School and NORTH FLORES: STREET OF FLOWERS projects can be found in the ARTICLES section of www.OLDSPANISHTRAILCENTENNIAL.com.

Charlotte Kahl
(210)735-3503
Co-Chair OST100
(with Marianna Jones) 

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Minutes of the February OST100 Meeting - Elected Officials Briefing 

FebruaryOSTuesday was held in Room “B” of San Antonio’s Municipal Plaza Building on Tuesday morning February 14, 2006.  Dawn Larios of Mayor Hardberger’s office worked with OST100 to provide the large meeting facility with a variety of audio-visual options. Our OSTeam caterer, Johnny Hernandez generously provided a delicious assortment of breakfast rolls, breads and fresh fruits along with coffee and orange juice.  His sister Leti set up the beautiful buffet from True Flavors Culinary Planners.  Their website will give you an idea of the scope of their business and any attending our meetings, where their refreshments have been served, will be able to attest to their fine flavors.

            During the first OST100 Elected Officials Briefing in 2004, we were only able to give the basic history of the efforts that went into the 1920’s construction of the OST auto highway. Since that time our OSTeam has grown and many development and beautification projects have begun. OST ReSearcher, Charlotte Travis shared efforts to locate descendants of the original OST founders and information found about how the political structure of the 1920s fostered OST construction and promotion. Conservation Society Farm and Ranch Chair, Joanna Parrish and Leon Springs Historian, Marlene Richardson explained preservation efforts along the OST corridor. Community Development Corporation Executive Director, Mariana Dannelley’s beautiful display of successful Deco District Economic Development projects always increases awareness of effective building façade and streetscape enhancements to the success of commercial corridors. Carlen Forinash’s colorful visuals and stories of International Volkssport activities emphasized how safe-hiking venues can enhance the OST Centennial. Other displays of projects along the Bexar County OST corridor included maps and photos of  Scenic San Antonio’s Beautification of North Flores tree planting; maps, architects drawings and projected cost estimates for the IH-10 Viva Depot Trail hike and bike facility north of 1604; maps for possible TxDoT tree planting sites along IH-35; New Braunfels Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization corridor; Converse history booklet; Balcones Heights Convention and Visitors brochure; and Kirby’s 50^th anniversary materials.

With the background music from Roy Rogers’ Old Spanish Trail video playing, staff members from the offices of senators, representatives, commissioners and mayors serving the OST corridor exchanged ideas about the various OST projects on display.  City Councilman, Art Hall offered welcoming remarks from the city of San Antonio, Charlotte Kahl presented a very abbreviated OST basic history and themes, and David Marquez of Bexar County Commissioner Elizondo’s office gave a few statements thanking those in attendance for their participation. Excerpts of video for the OST Centennial documentary being prepared by Rene Lagunas were also shown.

During this briefing we were able to ask elected officials for specific help with the projects in their districts: support letters for hike and bike grant applications; committee support for monument, low-water-crossing, building and farm preservation; city and county directions for maintenance of TxDoT plantings; and future legislation for scenic or historic designation of OST corridors in Texas and nationwide.  Elected officials have been very generous with providing meeting space for OST committees preparing centennial projects. OST100 could also use their help in identifying other groups working on similar projects within their districts, and leading us to overlooked sites worthy of preservation.

            The briefing resulted in a few immediate results. Converse City Councilmember; Gloria Weers has invited OST100 to meet with eastern Bexar County elderly to gather their stories. The City Clerk of Universal City, Alene Patton invited OST100 to the February 21^st city council park master planning workshop. Bexar County Commissioners are gathering TxDoT information about the tree planting plans for the SBC Center and 410 interchanges of IH-35. Downtown Residents Association representative, Joanna Foster is looking into OST inventory preparation. Sharon Beyer has requested a detailed list of possible OST centennial planning projects for Henry Bonilla’s office. And support packets are being reviewed in the offices of the 11 elected officials representing the Viva Depot Trail area.

            MarchOSTuesday will be the presentation of Bexar County OST Centennial preparations to the East Texas Tourism Association at their national conference in Beaumont. Registration for the ETTA conference can be made on http://www.easttexasguide.com/features/conference/registration.html.

Friday, March 24^th, Scenic San Antonio will complete the Beautification of North Flores Project during their annual awards ceremony at Noon on the ArtPace Roof Garden, 445 N. Main, San Antonio.  The Scenic San Antonio reception is free and open to the public.

Charlotte Kahl
(210)735-3503
Co-Chair OST100
(with Marianna Jones) 

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Minutes of the January Meeting of OST100 – Planning Elected Officials Briefing

JanuaryOSTuesday, 4pm, January 10, 2006 was held in the beautifully renovated city-owned Travis Building at 1800 Fredericksburg Road. The interior tile work by Oscar Alvarado was just being finished as we entered, with the outside tile work to begin the next day. We thank the Jefferson Woodlawn Lake Community Development Corporation for their hospitality and wish them great success in filling the offices and studios with vibrant, energetic tenants. (Artist’s renderings of the building posted below are from http://decodistrict.org.)

            Evaluation of last month’s extensive two-hour seven-person OST ROADSHOW for Florida Summer School seniors and plans for next month’s Elected Officials OST Update Briefing were the working topics. We will be asking many of the people involved in various revitalization, beautification and preservation projects along the Bexar County OST corridor to join us next month to share their successes and challenges with the 40 invited Elected Officials serving the Bexar County OST districts.

            Newcomer John Lawrence Tolleson joined us to suggest the possibility of asking the Alamo Area Boy Scout Council to create an OST recognition patch or badge similar to the one now available after learning about and hiking the Mission Trails of San Antonio.

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