Calhoun County Historical Commission

The NOW is your Calhoun County Historical Commission. The THEN is the history of this county. The Commission’s mission is to uncover and preserve that history. It is made up of county residents who have an interest in history. It is affiliated with the Texas Historical Commission and part of the Settlement Region.


One of our current projects is expanding our Oral History Collection. We have a video and sound recorder to capture that oral history before it is gone. What is oral history? Let me illustrate:
Many of you went to school in this county and during that time it is likely that you were visited by Charles Husak. He was probably dressed as an Indian. He would perform a “show and tell” about the KaranKawa Indians. They were the tribe that had lived in this area for the last 10,000 years that is until they became extinct around 186O. The newer citizens, namely our ancestors, decided they didn’t want them around. Their cannibalistic tendencies contributed mightily to that decision.


They stood around seven feet tall and were a sight to behold as they often paraded around naked. They used the local alligator grease to help keep the mosquitoes away. They lived around all our bays Carancahua, Keller, Cox, Lavaca and Chocolate Bayou.


Charlie knows a lot more about them. He grew up around Olivia, and as a boy he started collecting arrow heads. They are called points by folks like Charlie. In those days when farmers plowed the fields, points would emerge. That aroused his curiosity and led to this life long passion. He has donated that extensive collection to the Calhoun County Museum. That way it will stay intact for all to see.


If you have talked with Charlie, you know he is a fountain of knowledge about those KaranKawas. He can tell you some exciting tales about his adventures as an Indian Archeologist.


Back in the Depression he received information from the Smithsonian Institute about how to prepare a site, make a log and mark the items you find. Most of us who find an arrowhead (point) just keep it in a box somewhere. Not Charlie. His collection is properly logged and displayed. It is a most appreciated donation.


The stories Charlie tells are oral history. When we get the stories captured on DVD anyone can pop it in a player and watch Charlie as if he is present.


There are lots more folks like Charlie who have stories to tell. We plan to get as many stories as we can on our DVD’s. That is just one of the many projects under way. We expect to tell you about them and in the process give you a little History. The plan, and the Dolphin has agreed, is to visit with you approximately once a month.