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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
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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