DESCENDANT OF ANSON TAYLOR VISITS
CCHC MUSEUM
The Chambers County Historical Commission met last Saturday and discussed several ongoing projects that are of interest to the commission.
One of the most difficult projects that the commission plans to undertake is the preservation of the James Taylor White ranch house. White’s Ranch is one of the oldest Anglo ranches in Texas, being established in the early 1800’s before Texas became a State.
The old ranch house is now in a dilapidated condition due to many years of neglect and without preservation efforts in the near future, this historical treasure will be lost forever. In addition to the ranch house, the homesite also contains four cemeteries, one of which is recognized with a 1936 State of Texas Commerative Marker.
Jean Epperson, Patsy Parmer, Kay Willcox and Jackie Brookshire
Another project of interest will be to place life sized statutes of the Sons of Anson Taylor and William B. Travis in Fort Anahuac Park. Anson Taylor was an early settler of Chambers County living south of Anahuac. He had two sons that were killed in the Battle of the Alamo and their recognition is important to the history of the County. William B. Travis, another of the Alamo Heroes was in Anahuac for a short period of time and was imprisoned in Fort Anahuac by the Mexican Army. His rescue by the local colonists in 1832 created the first shots to be fired in what followed to be Texas’ War of Independence from Mexico. Recognizing Travis is likewise important to the history of Chambers County.
A report was also given on the repairs to the Dr. Schilling Office and the T.J. Chambers Home. Both structures received considerable damage from Hurricane Ike and most of the repairs to the Schilling Office were recently completed by the Chambers County Maintenance Department. However, the damages to the Chambers Home are greater than first anticipated so a general contractor is being selected to make those repairs. Upon completion of the repairs, the two historic buildings will be opened for tours by the public to depict the conditions in Chambers County in the 1800’s.
The Commission meets the fourth Saturday of each month in the Historical Archives/Museum Building located at 300 Cummings St. in Anahuac. The museum is also open Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and the public is urged to visit the meetings and the museum.
Written by CCHC Publicity Chair Pudge Willcox
October 9, 2010
Chambers County Historical Commission News
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