Anderson County Historical Commission’s Office Open Again

Published in The Palestine Herald: July 23, 2009"

Historical commission to re-open its office

Our Town column

By CHERIL VERNON
The Palestine Herald

PALESTINE — The Anderson County Historical Commission’s office is open once again for residents of Palestine and Anderson County, according to ACHC Vice Chairman Rudy Ramirez.

Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at the ACHC office, located at 101 E. Oak St. in the Federal Building in downtown Palestine. The office will be staffed by ACHC volunteers.

“We welcome anyone who is doing research on families, homes, businesses or communities that disappeared years ago,” Ramirez said. “Some of our records goes back to the 1800s.”

The ACHC is currently working on three historical markers to be dedicated this year: Coach Bob Knight, Fredrick Douglass School and Banks School.

The ACHC will hold an open house on Sept. 25-26 from 1 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

“Everyone is welcome — both city and county residents — to drop by and visit with us,” Ramirez said.

An Anderson County history book with photos is one of the projects the commission will be working on this fall. In addition, the Cemetery Committee has been working hard. They have been cleaning and photographing all the stones in some cemeteries. The commission is asking the county and city residents to assist in this endeavor. At this time the following cemeteries have been photographed: Roselawn, Old City, New Addition, New Addition Annex, East Hill, Elm Town, Grimes, Cedar Creek, Old Jesse Parker, etc. The commission also will be working on getting markers on some of the historical cemeteries in Anderson County.

The ACHC picnic took place in late May with more than 40 people in attendance. Local historian and author Jack Selden gave a brief talk on his latest endeavor. He is currently indexing the original City Minutes. He told some very interesting things about the beginnings of Palestine.

Louise Spaight donated a handmade quilt to the ACHC and during the annual picnic the drawing was held. Winner was Delandra Johnson who had purchased two tickets. Being a thoughtful daughter, she gave her mother a ticket. That ticket was the winner. Both are from Malakoff.

Eleanore Cresop of Pittsburg, Calif. donated a 41-page document that pertains to a 1963 gas and oil rights from various land owners. This was done for the Fairway (James Lime Unit).

The 2009 ACHC scholarship was awarded to Denisha Tillis, a Palestine High School graduate.

“She has been accepted into Tyler Junior College and is a very worthy recipient,” a ACHC news releases said.

The mission of the Texas Historical Commission is to protect and preserve the state’s historic and prehistoric resources for the use, education, economic benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The protection and preservation of this unique cultural heritage is a partnership between Texans and their government. The main functions of the THC are to identify, preserve, interpret and maintain historic and archeological sites and materials.

The ACHC is an arm of the local county government and the state of Texas. The Commissioners Court appoints ACHC members, who are required to be county residents.

The mission of ACHC is to preserve and protect materials, sites and other historic artifacts associated with Anderson County, and to promote its history. The ACHC works closely with the Texas Historical Commission, a state agency for historic preservation.