June 24th, 2016 – Today, the Calhoun County Historical Commission received the 2015 Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Historical Commission. The award was presented by Pct 2 Commissioner Vern Lyssy to Commission members in attendance: (L-R): Commission Chair Mary Belle Meitzen , Avril Sassman, Sue Thomae, John Meitzen and Gary Ralston. (Photo by Phil Thomae, also a commission member.)

During 2015 the Commission members contributed over $50,000 in volunteer hours in service to Calhoun County. Major activities included:

Overseeing installation of the following Texas Historical Markers in the County: Don Martin de Leon, Dr. Edward Knipling, Port O’Connor Cemetery, Sunlight Girls, The Great Camel Experiment, Battle of Norris Bridge and German Immigration to Texas.

Markers with formal dedications held in 2015 were Sunlight Girls and The Great Camel Experiment. An application was also submitted for a Historical Marker dedicated to “The Cotton Gins of Calhoun County. Planned and approved a Locomotive Silhouette for the Seadrift, TX Train Depot to be installed in 2016.

Other activities included: Installation of an interpretive display for the Lavaca Battery at the Bayfront Park; Participated in the reading of the Texas Constitution in honor of its adoption on its 179th anniversary; Held a work day at Ranger Cemetery; Held an Indianola Scavenger Hunt; Inspected The Half Moon Reef lighthouse to determine scope of repairs necessary and oversaw repairs; and, restored a kiosk at Magnolia Beach for display of Historical Marker photos and attractions at Indianola.