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W. C. Williams Building Historic Marker dedication scheduled for July 30, 2016 in Palacios, TX

The historic W. C. Williams Building, built in 1909, will officially be recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) during a ceremony scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM on …

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W. C. Williams Building shared Texas Historical Commission's post — feeling proud at W. C. Williams Building.

6 days ago

Here is more German Texas history. During my childhood and later, we stayed at this fine hotel when visiting San Antonio. I also frequented the establishment often in High School. In the 50s part of the rooms were air conditioned, others were not. Obviously there was a price difference. The Menger Bar has its own history. But that is for another day... #texashistory #williamsbuildingpalacios #mengerhotel #texashistoricalcommission Omega Productions The Menger Hotel - San AntonioLegend has it that the beer William Menger brewed was so potent, his customers sometimes spent the night on the benches in the brewery. So in 1858, Menger, who’d moved to San Antonio from Germany in the 1840s, built a hotel.

The hotel-brewery was wildly popular, and Menger rose to prominence as a successful businessman. Many of the early land and cattle deals were inked in the Menger over one of his lagers, which were brewed with a Mexican candy called piloncillo.

Eventually, the hotel operation overtook the brewery and was sold to J. H. Kampmann in the early 1880s. Although the building has undergone many remodels, The Menger Hotel - San Antonio remains a well-known historic hotel.

Added to the National Register for Historic Places in 1976, the Menger’s period paintings, furniture, and ornamentation remind visitors that it was a frontier oasis for cattlemen and politicos.

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W. C. Williams Building shared Down On Music Row's post — feeling inspired at W. C. Williams Building.

6 days ago

First look: Ken Burns' 'Country Music' documentary. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions #downonmusicrow Omega Productions Down On Music Row ... See MoreSee Less

Down On Music Row

Looking forward to seeing this. The production company contacted us for assistance...

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W. C. Williams Building shared Texas Historical Commission's post — feeling proud at W. C. Williams Building.

1 week ago

Some history on one of the most interesting characters in early Texas history. #texashistory #texashistoricalcommission Texas Historical Commission Omega ProductionsMirabeau Buonaparte Lamar was inaugurated as the second president of the Republic of Texas on this day in 1838. A native of Georgia, Lamar came to Texas in 1835 and immediately became involved in the movement for independence from Mexico.

Upon the fall of the Alamo and news of the Goliad Massacre, he joined the Texas Army, in the rank of private, as Houston's troops moved eastward toward San Jacinto.

In a swiftly moving chain of events, he was made colonel on the eve of the Battle of San Jacinto, and there commanded the cavalry with distinction.

Ten days later he was Secretary of War in the ad interim government, and a month later was appointed commander in chief of the army. Lamar was elected vice president in the first national election in 1836. Anti-Sam Houston leaders sponsored him for president in 1837. He won the election and took office in 1838 for a three-year term.

His administration was known for its opposition to annexation, a forceful Indian policy, and the recognition of Texas by Great Britain and France.

Lamar is credited with laying the foundation for the first system of public education in Texas. He died in 1859 at his plantation near Richmond.

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W. C. Williams Building shared Texas Historical Commission's post — feeling inspired at W. C. Williams Building.

2 weeks ago

Some early Texas music history on Huddie Ledbetter. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions #williamsbuildingpalacios Omega Productions Texas Historical CommissionHuddie Ledbetter, singer and guitarist, known as Lead Belly was born on January 21, 1888, near Mooringsport, Louisiana. Ledbetter attended public schools in Louisiana, then in East Texas after his family purchased a small farm when he was 10.

Having learned to play the six-string guitar, he left home in 1901 to make his way as a minstrel, first on Fannin Street in Shreveport, and later in Dallas and Fort Worth. He spent summers working as a farmhand in Dallas and supplemented his income by singing and playing his guitar in saloons and dance halls during the winter.

While working in Dallas, he met Blind Lemon Jefferson, and it was as his partner that Ledbetter first began to play the 12-string guitar.

In 1918, under the name of Walter Boyd, Ledbetter was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years in the Texas penitentiary. Either prior to his sentence or during it, the musician received his famous nickname, Lead Belly.

Some reports say that he got it for taking a gunshot in the stomach; others suggest that fellow inmates gave it to him for his hard work and fast pace on the chain gangs. In any case, it sounds like his surname.

Pardoned in 1925 after having written a song in honor of Governor Pat Neff, Lead Belly again lived from odd jobs until 1930, when he entered the state prison in Angola, Louisiana, on a charge of assault with intent to murder.

There his music attracted Texas folklorist John Avery Lomax and his son Alan Lomax. Lead Belly was released from prison for having received credit for “good time” during his incarceration, and for several months he toured with the Lomaxes, giving concerts and assisting them in their efforts to record the work songs and spirituals of black convicts.

Soon after arriving in New York City with the Lomaxes, Lead Belly came to national prominence through his singing and unconventional background. Despite his growing musical reputation, he continued to have problems controlling his temper and found himself briefly incarcerated for assault in 1939 on Riker's Island.

Lead Belly's most popular composition, "Goodnight Irene," achieved its greatest success when the Weavers recorded it in the early 1950s, after his death.

Ledbetter died of Lou Gehrig's disease in New York City on December 6, 1949. He was buried at Shiloh Baptist Church, north of Shreveport, Louisiana.

In 1988, Louisiana erected a historical marker at his gravesite. In 1980 the Nashville Songwriters Association International inducted him into their Hall of Fame. That honor was followed in 1986 with membership in the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and in 1988 Lead Belly's work was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Learn more about African Americans in Texas: bit.ly/2ASXiVB

Source: Texas State Historical Association ... See MoreSee Less

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W. C. Williams Building shared Texas Historical Commission's post — feeling proud at W. C. Williams Building.

2 weeks ago

Some Texas Revolution history. #texashistory #texashistoricalcommission #williamsbuildingpalacios #omegaliveproductions Texas Historical Commission Friends of the Texas Historical Commission

Texas Historical Commission
Texian rebels fought multiple battles with the Mexican army during the war for Texas Independence. These battles comprised two campaigns: the first in 1835 and the second in 1836.

The Texas revolutionary army began its assault on the Mexican garrison at San Antonio de Béxar on this day in 1835.

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The W. C. Williams Building, built in 1909, has been a cornerstone and anchor to the commercial and cultural life of Palacios and Matagorda County Texas for 109 years.

In February 2015, the structure was designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) by the Texas Historical Commission.

In July 2016, the RTHL Marker was dedicated by the Matagorda County Historical Commission and the Texas Historical Commission.

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W. C. Williams Building Historic Marker Dedication ceremony was recently held in Palacios, TX
W. C. Williams Building Historic Marker dedication scheduled for July 30, 2016 in Palacios, TX