Seguin Conservations Society Members share historical facts about our properties around beautiful Downtown Seguin.
A favorite of many visitors, but not so much for the local law violator is the Calaboose. You didn't want to be seen in this portable structure. The Calaboose was mounted on wheels and pulled by horses. It served as a way to transport county prisoners from the jail to the fields where prisoners performed work duties such as picking cotton or other crops. These prisoners worked at a 202 acre property called the “Convict Farm” or “Poor Farm.” It was donated to the SCS in January 1986 by the Phillips.
Have you seen one of the oldest structures in Seguin? That is the Los Nogales Museum built in 1849 out of hand-formed, sun dried adobe. In 1951 Seguin citizens worked to save this structure that now houses all sorts of artifacts. In the “mysterious cellar” is an old school desk, textbooks, a fire gong from the Mary B. Erskine School, surveyor's chain, post office boxes and much more. Dare to learn more about the treasures of Seguin with a visit to the Los Nogales Museum.
Every little girl would like a doll house like Alice O'Brien received. Alice was the adopted daughter of Louis Dietz and his sister Miss Mollie. Alice arrived in Seguin on the Orphan Train just prior to 1910. She received the doll house on her 5th birthday. Later Pablo Castilla, a successful Hispanic immigrant purchased the house and then in 1967 donated to the SCS. Today the popular tiny house holds a number of dolls and toys. Also inside are a wardrobe and dresser made by Mr. Dietz.
Can you imagine living in this Cabin without running water or electricity? That is what members of the Campbell family did. John Campbell, was an immigrant from Donegal, Ireland and arrived in the US in 1849. He built this one-room cabin about 5 miles southwest of Seguin. He went back to Ireland and returned with 23 members of his family. They added another room with a fireplace, dog run and front and back porches. Life at the cabin included lots of hard work, caring for family and animals. They also kept a watchful eye for Indians and dangerous wildlife The big porches were perfect for watching children play, shelling peas, telling stories or family singing. In 1979 the Hoermann family donated the cabin to the SCS and it was moved to its current location.
As you look at the front of the First Church, you notice two doors-the left entrance for women and children, and the right for the men. Fortunately we don't do that any more but when the church was built in 1849 this was common. A number of denominations got their beginnings and the first was the Methodists. In 1850, Euphemia Texas Ashby and William King were members of the church. They were young and in love, but one Sunday they both “got the itch” and were literally scratching their legs. Turns out the church was infested with fleas from pigs and livestock that had roamed under and around the building. The church was cleaned with Euphemia and William marrying later that year. The church was purchased and moved to its current location in 1990.
Have you counted all the bulbs in the Texas Theatre marque? If you have, the correct answer is 620. The facade and interior of the Texas has been used in motion pictures like the Great Waldo Pepper, Raggedy Man and the Ballad of the Sad Cafe. The Texas is a cultural treasure that remains nearly as it was in 1931 when it opened. When reopened in 2011, the Texas now features flexible seating options and includes what was once the adjacent Chamber of Commerce building. The venue now hosts plays, concerts, receptions, business meetings and much more while still preserving the glamourous architecture of the building. Highlighted features are the mica lanterns, Spanish tile and original ticket booth. The marque is even featured in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Contact Steve Tschoepe
at 401-1971 for a private
tour of The Texas Theatre.
P.O. Box 245
Seguin, Texas 78156
