Fort Croghan Museum & Grounds
Plaza of Honor Biographies
The Terracotta Bricks
These are the bricks that people have bought to be set in the Plaza of Honor in Fort Croghan to honor the people, families, places, and businesses of Burnet County, Texas.
LEWIS EDWIN and GLADYS V. DOTSON ALEXANDER 1925
Lewis and Gladys Dotson Alexander met at Normal School in San Marcos, Texas. She studied Home Economics; he took Shop courses.
Lewis was born in 1901 to Ed and Alice Alexander on the ranch in Pebble Mound Community. The Samuel Alexander family had moved to Burnet County from Arkansas after Texas became a state.
Gladys was born in Oklahoma, in 1900. Her ancestor George Washington Smith fought at San Jacinto in 1836.
Brick donated by Dr. Jane A. Knapik
SAMUEL STEVENSON ALEXANDER
1804 – 1863
Samuel Stevenson Alexander was born in North Carolina and died in Burnet County, Texas at age fifty-eight. He eloped/married Thurzy Ross in Crawford County, AR, in 1826. She was born in April, 1810 in Warren County, TN. They had eleven children. They lived in Washington County, AR in 1829. Samuel was very active in civic affairs. He was JP in the township of Cane Hill, Washington County, AR in 1829. In 1830, Samuel was commissioned as 2nd Lt., 3rd Co., 2nd Btn, in the Washington County, AR territorial and state militia.
Samuel was a member of the Friendly Society, Inc. He had a certificate givng him the right to prepare and use in his family--The Medicine & System of Practice secured by Samuel Stevenson Alexander by Letters of Patent from the President of the USA dated 1-28-1823. He was an entrepreneur in Arkansas and Tennessee. They helped organize the Christian Church in AR.
They tried three times to come to Texas and finally did in 1848 to Williamson County, TX with nine of their children. Samuel was partners with a man named Davis, and they mined salt on the Colorado River in Llano County, TX. He was the 1st Treasurer of Williamson County, TX. In 1853, Samuel’s family settled by Mesquite Creek, Burnet County, TX with a 200 acre deed by a patented land grant. They built a home, rock granary, rock fences and established the Alexander Cemetery on their land.
Samuel died in 1863 in Burnet County, TX from an accident with a wagon. He was buried in the Alexander Cemetery. Thurzy died in 1889 in Burnet County, TX and was buried in the Alexander Cemetery.
NOTE: Thurzy’s sister was China Ross, who married a man whose last name was Black who had Black’s Fort in Burnet County, TX.
-submitted and donated by Betty Chaney
ALTMAN CABIN
on FORT GROUNDS Since 1993
The Altman cabin was reportedly built by Lonthan Jordan Altman (1825-1862). The initials “LJA” and the date “1861” are carved into rock on the chimney. Altman was a soldier in the Confederate Army and died in action in 1863 during battle in Loiusiana.
The Altman cabin remained as the land changed hands and eventually was abandoned for a larger modern house. In 1193, The log cabin was donated to Fort Croghan by Norma Brown Wrubel and her brother Lee Phillips. According to Doris Glimp Lewis, relative of Mr. Altman, the Wrubels “were not kin to the Altmans”. They just owned the property at the time it was donated.
The cabin is a “dog run” or“dog trot” style which is really two cabins (one for cooking, one for sleeping) built side by side with a common roof over both structures. The open area between served as a shelter for animals, equipment or wagons. Visitors could bed down in the wagon for “guest room” accommodations.
According to an October 7, 1993 article by Sara Wartes, when the Wrubel and Phillips donated the cabin, “one side of the cabin had fallen down, its cedar logs piled haphazardly.” Tommy Glimp and Doug Newton carefully rebuilt the cabin on Fort Croghan grounds. A city “cherrypicker” was called in to raise the topmost logs.
NOTE:
Lonthan Jordan Altman was the brother of Doris Glimp Lewis’s great-grandfather, John Israel Altman,.(1841-1911).
References:
Fort Croghan Museum Files --docent notes
Lewis, Doris Glimp Interview August, 19,2021
Wartes, Sara, Dog-Run Cabin is Reconstructed , October 7, 1993
-information compiled by Cheryl J. Henderson
-donated by the Burnet County Heritage Society
BURNET ANTIQUE MALL
This brick honors the oldest antique store in Burnet County.
-donated by John and Carol Will
BALADEZ FAMILY
BURNET RESIDENTS
-over 100 years
The history of the Hispanic people in Burnet County is a hard one to track down, as most families at the time were migrant workers. These families would scatter across Texas chasing the annual crops or hop from ranch to ranch shearing sheep for the thriving wool market.
The Baladez family was one of these families. For over 100 years, this family has called Burnet County home. Working local farms and ranches, they settled in the Bertram area.
Donated by John Baladez
JOHN BARTON
1821 – 1885
FARMER
John Barton was born on February 21, 1821 in Tennessee. He married Mary (Polly) McFarland on September 4, 1845 in Johnson, Missouri. They had four children during their marriage, the first two were born in Missouri and the last two in Texas.
John and Mary (Polly) McFarland Barton along with their children moved from Missouri to Texas in 1849 and in 1852 settled in Burnet County in the Mt. Zion Community. They were members of the Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church and were considered to be one of the mainstays for their pastor and church. The census states that they were in agriculture and farmed several hundred acres of land.
He served in the various military groups of Burnet County. In 1861 he was a Private in the Lone Star Guard of Burnet County, enlisted at J. Bunions Spring, 3 miles NW of Burnet. Also in 1861, he was a 2nd Corp. of the Burnet Guards under Capt. W. H. Magill. In August of 1861 he was a Private under Capt. Christian Dorbandt of the Burnet County Minute Men. January 27, 1864 he enlisted at Oatmeal as a Captain during the Civil War. Later in 1864, he is a Private; 3rd Class under Capt. D. M. Jackson at Camp McCulloch.
Their son would eventually move west while all three daughters married into families of early settlers and remained in Burnet County for the remainder of their lives and today (2020) there are still descendants in the county.
Further information regarding the Barton and McFarland families may be found in the Burnet County History, Volume II.
Information submitted by the Burnet County Historical Commission
BEULAH ALPHA GLENN BELL & CODY MOOD BELL SR.
RESIDENTS 1953-1981
It was the Texas drought of 1953 that brought Beulah and Cody Bell Sr. to Burnet County. Beulah was returning to her “roots.” She was born on a ranch located near Jollyville on Bull Creek in 1898. Her family moved to a ranch in Glasscock County, near Garden City. Beulah started her own herd of cattle as a youngster from local rancher donated bottle fed doggie calves. After high school graduation, she worked at the Texas State Mental Hospital, then moved to Alpine where she attended Sul Ross State Teacher’s College. Becoming a ranch family teacher in West Texas, she met Cody Sr. at a West Texas rodeo. Marrying in 1925, Beulah brought her own herd of cattle to the union, and throughout their marriage, she would supplement their income selling milk and eggs. The years that followed, she kept in constant contact with her immediate and extended family, writing many post cards and letters, no matter where they lived or traveled.
One of five children, Cody Sr., born in 1894, broke and sold horses and helped his mother with her ranch, and worked for neighboring ranchers, including the famous Midland Scarborough Family. Talented with the rope and bull whip, Cody Sr. entertained many with those skills. Beulah and Cody Sr. married on January 18, 1925 at her parent’s Garden City ranch, with Beulah wearing a unique grey satin dress she created. Then the Bell’s set off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Beulah would travel with Cody Sr. and “set up housekeeping” where ever he landed. Two children were born to the Bells, first a daughter Lillie Elizabeth in 1928, then a “son” Cody Mood Bell Jr. in 1934. Beulah owned a hat shop in Crane until her children were born. After the 1937 untimely death of Cody Sr’s mother, Mary Seleda Bell, at her Upton County ranch, Cody Sr. moved the family to San Angelo, Christoval and then to a small ranch near El Cajon, California. Beulah loved the Santee area, the weather and especially La Jolla Beach. She planted gardens, sold milk and attended nearby Santee Methodist Church. The Bell’s invited soldiers stationed at nearby Camp Gillespie to experience ranch life and ride horseback. Cody Sr. leased a stable near the Mexican border and served as a member of the US Air Force Civil Defense Ground Observer Corps until 1944, when it was disbanded.
In 1947 the Bell’s purchased a small ranch at Brightwater, near Rogers, Arkansas. After joining the nearby Methodist church, Beulah sold milk to the Bentonville Kraft Cheese Company. A talented seamstress, Beulah created clothes from feed sacks and crocheted thousands of doilies, scarves, hats, potholders and afghans for family and friends through the years. Cody Sr. worked for a local Rogers real estate company, frequently traveled back to Texas to check on his properties. The Bell’s home was spared during the 1947 Brightwater tornado which leveled the town. Cody Jr. tells the story of refusing to get out of bed because he thought the noise was a train. When his mother asked him what time the train goes by. He realized the noise was not from the train, and promptly hopped out of bed to join his family in the root cellar. After Lillie Beth’s graduation from Rogers High School, the family moved to San Angelo, Texas.
The CR 207 Sage Ranch was home to Lillie Beth and her three year old daughter, Glenna Bell, who joined the Bell’s in 1953. They joined the Bethel Home Demonstration Club and Burnet Methodist Church, where Lillie Beth sang in the Adult Choir. She became a 4-H Adult Volunteer, joined Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, then married and moved to Fort Worth in 1955. The Bell’s son, Cody Jr. enlisted in the US Army in 1954 and served as a medic in Korea. In 1958 he married Donna Olene Blackwell of Ranger and Crane. The Bell’s had five grandchildren: Glenna Bell Orman, Cody Lee Orman, Cody Mood Bell III, John Wiley Bell and Kristin Elizabeth Bell.
Leaving Burnet in 1956, Cody purchased Beulah’s lifelong “dream house,” a large Austin Stone ranch style home near San Angelo State University. Many family holiday events were celebrated. The Bells bought and sold property in Burnet County, including some lots on Lake Buchanan. Beulah passed away in Midland in 1976 after 51 years of marriage. After Beulah’s death, Cody Sr. spent his last years living intermittently living with children, short periods staying at the Midland Scarborough Hotel, and at a small ranch he purchased east of Bertram on Highway 29. Cody Sr. passed away in 1981 in Midland at the age of 88 and is buried with Beulah at Fairview Cemetery in Midland.
Submitted by their Granddaughter Glenna Bell Orman-Wilson 10.30.21
DONNA & CODY MOOD BELL JR.
1966 - CURRENT
Donna Ollene Blackwell Bell and Cody Mood Bell, Jr. of Upton County, Texas, purchased a ranch on Burnet’s County Road 108 in 1966 from Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Nored. Donna, one of six children, was born in 1936 in Ranger, Texas, to Bertha Leola McGlothin and John Earl Blackwell, Sr. In 1955, the Blackwell’s moved to Crane, Texas for Earl to work in the Oil Patch. It was there that Donna and Cody met while she worked after school at the local drug store soda fountain. While attending Ranger and Crane High Schools, Donna was a champion baton twirler (an amazing feat as she suffered from Osteomyelitis in one leg as a child). Receiving a scholarship to Ranger Junior College upon her high school graduation, Donna won beauty and twirling contests, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Cody was born in 1934 to Beulah and Cody Mood Bell Sr. of Upton County, Texas. As a youth, the family lived all over Texas, in California and Arkansas. Sometimes his parents left him in successfully in charge of livestock for weeks at a young age without supervision. Cody Jr. rebuilt engines, raced cars, tooled leather, ranch welded, was handy with electricity and excelled at hunting and shooting. Later in life he obtained his pilot’s license, flew private planes, had a
gyrocopter, and rode his motorcycle to Canada and back. Drafted into the US Army in 1956, Cody Jr. was stationed in Korea as a medic. He traveled to China during leaves and was discharged in 1958. Donna and Cody Jr. married in 1958 at Ranger and moved to San Angelo. While living in San Angelo, Donna attended the Church of Christ and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority. Eventually, three children joined the Bell family: Cody Mood Bell III, John Wiley Bell, and Kristen Elizabeth Bell. Wherever the Bell’s lived, Cody Jr. was able to repair anything, using the materials her had at hand, and improving the surroundings.
After San Angelo, the Bell’s moved to Cody Sr.’s Eldorado Ranch. The distance to town was challenging for the young family, so they decided to move to Crane. While preparing for the move, Cody Jr. proceeded to dismantle the TV antenna. Standing on a ladder, he started to lose his balance and his thumb got caught between a wrench and metal bracket. It was cut to the bone and hanging by a ligament. Cody Jr. calmly wrapped his hand in his handkerchief and drove himself to the hospital in Eldorado, with Donna as a passenger. The Eldorado Hospital indicated he needed to proceed to San Angelo. On the way to “Angelo” he was stopped for speeding. The patrolman took one look at the thumb and sent Cody on his way, radioing ahead so they could get to Shannon Hospital in record time. After the Bells moved to Crane, Cody welded a custom horse trailer with the bandaged thumb.
In June of 1966, Cody Jr. purchased a ranch on County Road 108 from Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Nored. Donna and the kids immediately moved into the vintage white frame ranch house and immersed themselves in the Lampasas and Lake Victor communities. A favorite family story is about Donna driving a young calf from the Bell Weatherford Ranch to the Burnet Ranch in the back seat of the Bell’s new white Chrysler Imperial. Cody traveled between Burnet, Parker, and Upton Counties assisting his dad with ranch management, upkeep and livestock management.
The Bells moved back to Upton County in 1968, the where the whole Bell Family built their own two story Spanish style rancher overlooking the Rankin Community Golf Course. The Bells were actively involved in both their children’s and grandchildren’s school, 4-H, sports, golf and dirt biking activities. Donna was a dynamic community volunteer, a member of the Rankin Church of Christ (teaching Sunday School) and helped establish the Rankin Museum. She survived a stint with breast cancer in the 1980’s. Son, Cody III, attended Southwest Texas State University, became a professional photographer, television cameraman, world class fly fisherman and now manages the Burnet T Lazy T Ranch. He married Julia Hopson (retired educator) and they live in Palmer, Texas. Son John obtained a degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech, and worked overseas and in Texas for numerous oil companies. He married Celeste Oetken of Houston and they have one daughter, Mary Celeste Bell, and reside in Plano, Texas, spending free time golfing. Daughter Kristirodeoed in high school, ranched at an early age, and married Denson Reid (volunteer fire fighter/ems). She is a Rancher, Master Gardener, was a 4-H Volunteer and Leader, supported her children at Rankin High sports events. The Reid’s have twin children, Allison Dawn and Kevin Wayne, and love to play golf. All of the Bell grandchildren attended and/or graduated from college or technical training schools. Married for 63 years, Donna passed away on August 9, 2021, leaving a legacy of community service and putting family first. Cody Jr. continues to oversee his Upton and Burnet County ranches and cattle, living in their family home overlooking the Rankin Golf Course. Submitted by Niece Glenna B
Submitted by Niece Glenna Bell Orman-Wilson 10.30.21
BETHEL EXTENSION
EDUCATION CLUB OF BURNET COUNTY
1935 - present
As a result of the 1914 USDA's Home Demonstration Program for rural areas, the Oakhill/Bethel Home Demonstration Club was organized in 1935 in the Bethel Community. After years of name changes, the Bethel Extension Education Club of Burnet County thrives. It meets at the Bethel Community Center building, purchased by the Club in 1964, and is located at the intersection of FM 2340 and FM 963. *
In addition to monthly meetings and educational programs, the Bethel EE Club has hosted community events, precinct voting, bereavement dinners, 4-H Clubs, Bethel Cemetery meetings, family/school reunions, ice cream socials, Opening Day of Deer Season lunches and local family Thanksgiving dinners. Club members, some of whom are second and third generation members, conduct monthly business meetings, community potlucks and continue their tradition of learning together.
We follow the TEEA Creed written by Mrs. R.M. Almanrode in 1950.
We believe in the sanctity of the home.
We believe in the home as the place where love, faith, trust and devotion must be lived each day, where obedience and reverence grow, and where God is known.
We believe those within its walls should be taught to work, to play, and to have compassion for those less fortunate.
We believe sharing responsibilities is necessary and that from the fireside will come the citizens who will uphold the best ways of life.
*NOTE: On May 9, 2020 a fire severely damaged the Bethel Community Building resulting in demolition. The Bethel EE Club now meets in the Agrilife Building in Burnet.
--donated by The Bethel Extension Education Club
The DESCENDANTS
of S. M. BINGHAM
My 3rd great grandfather, Samuel M. Bingham, was born in 1797 in North Carolina.
He and his wife, Mary Ann Curry and their 10 children left the area of Bell Buckle, Bedford County, Tennessee in the fall of 1851. They settled on 320 acres of land off of County Road 333, where the headwaters of the San Gabriel subdivision is now located.
Samuel, Mary Ann, most of their children and his 2nd wife Nancy Hart Bingham are all buried in the Old Burnet Cemetery along with a few other descendants.
Samuel M. Bingham came from a family of stone carvers. Many of the beautiful headstones they carved in North Carolina are still standing.
Most of Samuel’s descendants stayed in Burnet County. Becky French’s father was Vaughan Bingham, 1937-2011. He graduated from Burnet in 1956.
-donated by Becky French
Samuel M. Bingham
1797 – 1873
Samuel M. Bingham along with his wife and their 10 children, left Bedford County, Tennessee, to establish a new home and life in the then sparsely settled region, which is known today as Burnet County. Upon their arrival, the Bingham family homesteaded land east of Hamilton (now Burnet), a boundary line of which land was located on the head waters of the South Gabriel. Samuel M. Bingham appeared before Thomas M. Hughes, Deputy Surveyor for the Milam Land District, on July 17, 1853, and the field notes were refiled in the office of Milam Land District Surveyor on September 23, 1854. According to the 1860 Census, his occupation was stock raising.
Samuel M. Bingham was born in 1797 in North Carolina and died in 1873, near Burnet and was buried in the Old Burnet Cemetery. He first married in 1826, to Mary Ann Curry, who was the mother of his ten children. After her death in 1856 (buried in the Old Burnet Cemetery), he married Nancy Hart in 1862.
Several of the children settled in the area and married into families of other early settlers (McKee, Bourland, Foster, Chatman, Haynie, Tomlinson, Senterfitt, Johnson) and raised their families in Burnet County. Grandchildren married into the families of Reeves, Wommack, Ruble, Spears, and Barnett to name a few.
Further information may be found in the Burnet County History, Volume II.
JODY BUNCH &
KALEB CHESTER
BLACKSMITHS
Jody Bunch served as the fort blacksmith on Fort Croghan Day and Christmas at Fort Croghan for almost 20 years, entertaining and informing the public. His nephew, Kaleb Chester, followed in his footsteps taking up the blacksmithing trade like his uncle.
Over the years, they were often called upon to perform repairs around the fort and for the creation of needed tools just as blacksmiths did when the fort was first established.
-donated by Crista Goble Bromley
DANIEL BOULTINGHOUSE
1795 – 1867
Homesteader
Daniel Boultinghouse, born December 8, 1795 in Ohio, came to Hickory Creek section of the Smithwick community with his family in 1852 or 1853. He was first married to Sarah Brown who died in 1846 in Scott County, Arkansas. She was the mother of his first five children. He married c. 1847 in Scott County, Arkansas to Mary Frances “Fannie” Shelton Williams. She and Daniel had nine children.
Upon the arrival of the Boultinghouse family in Burnet County, Daniel homesteaded 160 acres of land on Hickory Creek in what was later to be known as the Smithwick Community. A nearby mountain was named Boultinghouse Mountain after him because he killed so many bears there in the early days. Fannie died on December 7, 1867 and Daniel died the next day, December 8, 1867, and they are both buried in the Smithwick Cemetery.
The children of Daniel Boultinghouse would marry into families of other early settlers and provided many grandchildren who would leave their mark on the county.
Mary Elender Victoria (daughter of Nancy) married Andrew (Andy) Mather, who was an early Ranger and Indian scout in Central Texas.
Sarah Emily “Sadie” (daughter of James) married Charley W. Lewis and they were the grandparents of the Burnet County Sheriff, Wallace Riddell.
Further information may be found in the Burnet County History, Volume II.
Information submitted by the Burnet County Historical Commission
-donated by the Burnet County Heritage Society
BRIGGS BAPTIST CHURCH
Est. 1895 “Jesus is Lord”
October 1805 earliest recorded information:
“Three-fourths of an acre of land ‘on the old Florence to Lampasas
public road southeast of Briggs on or near the county line’ was
deeded to the Missionary Baptist Church from H.M. and A.L Bennett.”
1896--Church building moved to Briggs from Burnet and Williamson County line. Rev. J.J. Thompson first pastor preaching every fourth Sunday.
July 1908--Known as Missionary Baptist Church. Brother A.H. Jenkins called as half-time pastor.
First revival June 28. Closed July 12, 1908. 49 added to church.
November 1910--Church first called Briggs Baptist Church.
The still-standing tabernacle first mentioned August 1918. February 1937 work on platform under the tabernacle. June, extended cordial invitation to all other denominations the use of the tabernacle for their revival meetings.
June 1959--first record of VBS. 58 enrolled.
May 1961--Memorial Library started.
September 1977--Brick work began on outside of church.
Briggs Historical Marker Unveiled.
2002--Wheelchair ramp and rails built. Steeple and chimes added.
August 2003--Membership software purchased.
2007--New fellowship hall with large kitchen built.
-donated by Briggs Baptist Church
BURNET COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS COURT
The Commissioners Court is the general governing body of Burnet County. The Court is comprised of the County Judge who is elected countywide and presides over the full Court, and four County Commissioners -- each elected from one of the County's four precincts. The four County Commissioners have both countywide and precinct responsibilities. Each commissioner is responsible for construction and maintenance of county roads within his or her precinct. Some Commissioners maintain offices both at the Courthouse-On-The-Square and within their precincts. They are responsive to the particular needs of people living within their areas of the county. Despite the name, Commissioners Court is not a judicial court but the general governing body of the County.
Primary duties of the Court include:
Set the tax rate and adopt the County budget;
Appoint County officials and hire personnel;
Fill elective and appointive vacancies;
Establish voting precincts, appoint precinct judges and call County bond elections;
Let contracts and authorize payment of all County bills;
Build and maintain County roads and bridges;
Build, maintain and improve County facilities, including jails;
Provide for veterans assistance;
Manage all County facilities;
Oversee the Burnet County Library System; and
Provide for information technology and the archival needs of the County.
-donated by the Burnet County Heritage Society in recognition of the monetary support given to our Plaza of Honor project
BURNET COUNTY
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
The purpose of the Burnet County Historical Commission (BCHC) is to preserve, protect and promote history within the County. To accomplish that purpose, the Commission makes recommendations and placements for historical markers; recommends to the County Commissioners Court for property acquisition which is of historical significance; accepts, whenever feasible, artifacts and other museum items in the name of the commission or the county; and supports, whenever possible, the programs of the Texas Historical Commission.
Commission members, appointed by the Burnet County Commissioners Court, all bring a love of history to the mission. They also have a strong desire to protect historical sites and stories as well as a willingness to share those with others.
Commission members log volunteer hours, including working at Fort Croghan in Burnet and Falls of the Colorado Museum in Marble Falls. Commission members also facilitate placement of historical markers in Burnet County, advocate for cemeteries and complete oral histories of citizens. The Commission also hosts an annual Citizen of Note event where residents past or present are recognized for their contributions to Burnet County.
While the state mandates counties have these historical commissions, not all of them — including ones in larger counties — are as active as the Burnet County Historical Commission. The state has awarded the Distinguished Service Award to the Burnet County Historical Commission several times. According to Texas Historical Commission Executive Director Mark Wolfe, “County historical commissions are the backbone of historic preservation and education in communities across Texas.”
-donated by the Burnet County Heritage Society in recognition of the monetary support given to our Plaza of Honor project
CITY of BURNET
HISTORIC BOARD
The development and promotion of historic preservation was established as a program and function of the City of Burnet, Texas. The name of the organization and program is the "City of Burnet Historic Board" (Board). The Board has establish by-laws that are consistent with the precept of this ordinance.
Goals and Purposes
The City Council of the City of Burnet hereby declares that as a matter of public policy the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of landmarks and a district of historical and cultural importance and significance is necessary to promote the economic, cultural, educational and general welfare of the public. It is recognized that areas of the city, including but not limited to the historic downtown area, represents the unique confluence of time and place that shaped the identity of generations of citizens, collectively and individually, and produced significant historic, architectural, and cultural resources that constitute their heritage. This section is intended to:
Protect and enhance the landmarks and districts which represent distinctive elements of Burnet’s historic, architectural, and cultural heritage;
Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past;
Protect and enhance the city of Burnet’s attractiveness to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided;
Ensure the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and development of the city;
Promote economic prosperity and welfare of the community by encouraging the most appropriate use of such property within the city;
Encourage stabilization, restoration, and improvements of such properties and their values.
Board
The Board shall consist of five members; one of which shall be a member of the City of Burnet staff, one shall be a member of the City Council or a City staff member appointed in their stead, and three at-large members. The at-large members shall be appointed by the City Council. For the initial terms, two at-large directors shall serve two year terms and one shall serve a one-year term after which all terms for at-large members shall be two years. In the event a director leaves prior to the expiration of his/her term, the City Council shall appoint a director to fill the un-expired term. All at-large Board members shall have a known and demonstrated interest or knowledge in historic preservation.
Officers of the Board shall be the President, Vice-President and Secretary and shall be elected by and from the members of the Board annually. The Board shall be subject to the City of Burnet Code of Ethics.
-donated by the Burnet County Heritage Society in recognition of the monetary support given to our Plaza of Honor project.
HUGH H. CALVERT
1805 – 1883
Hotel Manager
Major Hugh Hudson Calvert was born in 1805 in Abbeville, South Carolina. He married Louisa Pearson in 1843. The Calverts came to Burnet and were enumerated on July 6, 1850. The 1860 Census declares that Mr. Calvert was engaged in stock raising. However, the 1870 Census states that he was operating the Calvert Hotel in Burnet, which was housed in the house now known as the Galloway home which is located a block south of the public square on the corner of South Pierce and League Streets.
Major Calvert served the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1846. He was appointed the Post Master of Burnet on Jan 23, 1866. H. H. Calvert took the oath of office for Registrar of Burnet County on December 23, 1870 until September 23, 1872.
Mr. & Mrs. Calvert had two children, both were born in Austin County, Texas. Louisa Caroline first married Redmond R. Kelly. After Kelly's death she married James W. Taylor. John Wardlow married Mary Jane Carruth and they lived in Burnet on South Pierce Street in the little house between the former 1st State Bank building and the Galloway home. John was shot to death in mysterious circumstances on the front porch of that little house when his youngest son, George Carson Calvert, was only two years old. The widow of John Wardlow Calvert, Mary Jane, later married Dr. George Jackson McFarland. George Carson Calvert at one time owned granite works in Burnet and lived on North Main Street near the old Guthrie home.
Mr. and Mrs. Calvert are buried in the Old Burnet Cemetery.
Further information may be found in the Burnet County History books Volume I and II.
Information submitted by the Burnet County Historical Commission
-donated by the Burnet County Heritage Society
Alex Smith
Experienced, trustworthy and driven. These are just a few of the ways that coworkers describe this invaluable member of our team. Alex Smith is truly inspirational and makes it a pleasure to come to work.
Morgan James
Words cannot describe the role that Morgan James has had in ensuring that Fort Croghan Museum & Grounds always stays on track. Their continued communication with beneficiaries means that Morgan James is our greatest asset in listening to the pressing needs of grantees.