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The
1936 Texas Centennial marker commemorating
the historic site of Burnam’s Crossing on the Colorado River near Holman is on
it’s way home.
The distinctive gray granite monument was moved from its
original place on the riverbank near Holman in 1963 at the instigation of two
local historians (both now deceased). |
Fayette
County Judge Ed Janecka and Historical Commission chair Linda Dennis watch while
Precinct Four employees prepared to bring the 1936 marker commemorating Burnam's
Crossing on the Colorado River back to Fayette County.
Photo by H.H. Howze,
Courtesy of The Fayette County Record, La
Grange |
They contended that
Colorado County was the actual site of the historic river crossing.
But
the move was without the knowledge or consent of the State Historical Commission
which owns the monument.
The
monument was re-installed in 1964 on Sedan Road across the Colorado County line
near Weimar, where it remained for 45
years. That was longer than it had been in its original and correct location.
It remained there until last Wednesday, that is. (Tuesday November 10th,
2009 issue of the Fayette County Record)
That’s when Precinct 4 Commissioner
Tom Muras and his crew successfully unearthed the monument, loaded it on a flatbed
trailer and hauled it to the Stasswender Foundry in Austin
where the concrete base was removed. |
Loading the marker for shipment to Austin
Photo
by H.H. Howze, Courtesy of The Fayette County Record, La
Grange |
Foundry owner Jim
Stasswender will remove the medallion originally crafted by his grandfather in
the 1930s, according to Historical Commission chair Linda Dennis. “He is excited
like we are,” she said. “They don’t often get a chance to work on one of the 1936
Centennial monuments.”
The medallion will be installed after the monument
undergoes more modifications that reflect its unusual history.
Part of
that history was on view in Austin Friday.
Two sets of initials and the date “1964” were found on the base before
its removal.
Negotiations are underway for a Marble
Falls firm to “plane down” the back of the monument, Dennis said, creating
a new ‘front” surface for it.
The original commemorative wording (which
was obliterated by those who moved the monument) would then be engraved on it.
A plaque will be installed on the new “back,” above the altered inscription,
explaining the monument’s unique journey.
Dennis said several generations
of Burnham family members are planning to attend the rededication of the monument
in its new location on the corner of Anton Salas Loop and FM 155 (the road between
La Grange and Weimar).
- The
Fayette County Record, La Grange
November, 2009
Editor's Note: Our
thanks to editor Larry C. Jackson and staff of the Fayette County Record for sharing
their history with the rest of Texas.
November
18, 2009 |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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and vintage/historic photos of their town/subject, please contact
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