Submitted by Russell Cain
The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation in Texas. In the course of its mission, the THC works to ensure that the state’s architectural, archaeological, and cultural landmarks are available to the general public. As part of its mission, the THC works in concert with local citizens and organizations to preserve that legacy. For Calhoun County, that local entity is the Calhoun County Historical Commission. That commission has been actively functioning for over 50 years. It is composed of local citizens and accepts new members every two years. Those members carry out many projects in preserving the legacy of the county such as locating cemeteries, documenting the graves therein, and working to preserve those gravestones that need cleaning and repair. Such work involves many hours of research as well as demanding physical labor. For working on such projects, members receive service hours for which the local organization receives credit in its annual report to the state organization. The CCHC has received outstanding ratings for the work of its members. It also reports annually to the Commissioners Court because part of the funding of the Commission comes from the Court. An important feature of the CCHC’s work is not only physical preservation but visual work to document the work of the Commission. In a ceremony of March 13 of this year, Philip Thomae and his wife Sue, 50-year members, were awarded the status of Members Emeritus current Commission chair, Larry Nichols, and Mary Belle Meitzen, member. Philip was responsible for many years of photographing CCHC events such as dedication of historical markers and many other commemorative events. The couple has served the CCHC in many such roles, such of being officers in the organization and contributing many service hours. Probably one of the most successful ventures of the CCHC has been the cooperation with the school district in bringing the living history of the camel project of pre-Civil war days to the county. Gary Ralston brought to the Commission the program of Doug Baum of the Texas Camel Corps and Importance of a Local Historical Commission 1 his efforts to educate students about the importance of the venture. In Baum’s presentation, he engages all the in learning about the camels who were brought to the thriving port of Indianola first in May 1856. Billed as the “Great Camel Experiment,” the venture to carry goods, especially military supplies, across arid regions of the West was deemed successful but doomed to failure as a result of the Civil War. The project of teaching students the history of the camel project and the importance of Indianola as a port is an annual program, one the students look forward to each October. The 7th graders are the targeted audience because the presentation coincides with their intensive study of Texas history in that grade. Curriculum materials are also available to teachers. The cooperation between the school district and the CCHC has been an asset to the education of the students at both private and public schools in the county. Sue Thomae, a teacher and librarian for 56 years in Calhoun County ISD, was responsible for the coordination of the event to make sure that all were informed and approval granted so that transportation, publicity, and attendance could be arranged. Cherre Cain, a former Commission Chair, said that reaching students was a foremost responsibility of a commission and the camel program has certainly been one of the most effective in achieving that objective. Cain also believed that a commission should try to make the county’s rich historical legacy a part of the tourism efforts of the county. The publicity engendered by the Texas Camel Corps visit brings that attention to the area, particularly to Indianola. As part of the educational efforts, the CCHC has also provided metal silhouettes of events, such as the one at Indianola which depicts the original camel project of 1856 and shows a camel being led by a Union soldier. In addition, Philip Thomae produced a postcard of the silhouette; the postcard is one of many Thomae has made of historical features. Many visitors seek out local postcards, especially those related to history. In addition, another one of the silhouettes in a prominent place is the depiction of the battle which took place during the Civil War between th7th grade students of the county ihe Importance of a Local Historical Commission 2 Confederate forces and the Union Army. It stands in the Bayfront Park near the actual site of the battle. More silhouettes have been placed around the county, and more are in the planning stage. To augment such projects, the CCHC is planning more informational plaques to inform visitors of the contributions and importance of each community in the county. In the aforementioned awarding of Members Emeritus status to Philip and Sue Thomae, long-time members, the dedication and hard work of its members has made a difference in awareness of the importance of a local commission. Only a few of the facts about the Calhoun County Historical Commission and its work in bringing the extensive history of Calhoun County to the county and to the state at large have been cited. More can be learned at the CCHC’s website. Also, a wealth of information is available at the Calhoun County Museum and related Facebook pages. Of particular interest is the website indianolatx.com maintained by Gary Ralston. This article has touched only the surface of Calhoun County history and the preservation of that historical legacy.
