Heritage Association of San Marcos announces HARP program
John Crittenden Sawhill of the Nature Conservancy believes that “our society will be defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy.” With this in mind, The Heritage Association of San Marcos (HASM) announces its Historic At-Risk Properties, or HARP Program. Modeled on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered List, and Preservation Texas’ Endangered Places, the HARP program seeks to raise awareness to serious threats facing San Marcos’ architectural, cultural, and natural treasures.
San Marcos has more historical structures that other cities of its size. However, the Historic Survey, commissioned by the city in 2019, revealed that there were also a significant number of historic properties that were at-risk. These properties are an important part of our past and should be respected as we craft our future. When we fail to preserve a historical building, we lose the connection to who we were, who we are, and who we want to be.
With the loss of two buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Telephone Company Building to development, and Fisher Hall to fire and premature demolition, the HARP Program has been created to serve as a guardian to our community’s irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage.
While we cannot guarantee success in saving all the structures that we list, HASM hopes to assist owners with resources to hopefully renovate and restore the homes, businesses, and civic and religious buildings in our city. With assistance from The Preserve America Program, The Texas Historical Commission, The National Trust for Historic Preservation and other agencies, HASM hopes it can secure the resources to maintain the city's historic districts and neighborhoods.
“In 2021, our preservation efforts will concentrate on getting information out on Federal and State Tax Credits available for the restoration of historic buildings,” said Linda Coker, president of the heritage association.
These credits can cut construction costs and are assets that are unused and ignored in San Marcos. There are strict guidelines with these programs, but the savings can be considerable.
“(HASM) will be highlighting these financial assistance programs in May, which is National Preservation Month, and hope to reorient our annual home tour to focus on historic commercial properties,” Coker added.
The 2020-2021 list represents significant cultural and historical structures that testify to our agricultural, commercial, religious, educational and ethnic heritage. They represent the various stages of risk including threats from inappropriate development, deferred maintenance, and disuse.
The buildings on our inaugural list are:
The Dunbar School, Intersection of S. Endicott Street and Centre. The Texas Historical Commission notes that private instruction for African-American children in San Marcos may have begun as early as 1847, but the first public school was founded in 1877 with 50 pupils. This building was originally part of the West End School located on Hopkins Street, but has been moved several times and served multiple educational purposes. In 1961, the school was renamed for Paul Lawrence Dunbar, a noted African-American author. The main building burned in the 1970s. This remaining building has been designated as one of the most significant of the cityowned buildings and designated as a historic landmark by the City of San Marcos City Council, sits neglected and in need of restoration in Dunbar Park.
Farmer’s Union Gin Company, 120 West Grove Street. In 1908, Henry Kellerman, J. H. Barbee, A. H. Fleming, I. B. Rylander, and J. H. Williams acquired the premises. They then established in 1909 the Farmers Union Gin Company under the leadership of Oscar Calvin Smith (b. 1876 d. 1948) Texas Cotton Ginners Association organizer and director, San Marcos city commissioner 1924-1941, and mayor 1941-1942, an organization which would proceed to operate San Marcos’ largest industrial facility at the time. The gin continued operations until 1966 and was later recognized by both the Texas Historical Commission and the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently vacant.
S. D. Jackman Building, 211-215 East Hutchinson Street. Built in 1920 the Jackman Building housed a Ford Dealership and other businesses. It is a significant structure that is facing deterioration since being vacated. The Jackman family has a long history in San Marcos. S.D. Jackman was the son of longtime Hays County Sheriff William T. Jackman. S.D. was also a World War I veteran, enlisting in 1918 at the age of 34. The building is currently for sale.
The Johnson Building, 101 East Hopkins Street. The building was built in 1905 with late 20th century modifications that have compromised the building’s integrity. It sits on a signifi cant spot in the Courthouse Historic District and, with renovations, its status could be changed to a contributing structure. It is also known as the Duke & Ayres Building since they operated a five and dime store there from 1947-1977.
Lamar School, 500 West Hutchinson Street. The Lamar site has always been dedicated to education from the Coronal Institute in 1868 to the Lamar School which opened in 1951, housing grades 10-12. Designated as a high preservation priority by the City of San Marcos, the school is an intact example of mid-twentieth-century modern school design. The Lamar School was one of the first, if not the first school to peacefully desegregate, making it historically significant with integration in Texas. Yancy Yarborough, San Marcos High School Principal in 1955, said in a 1987 interview, “integrating the high school was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career.”
The Old African American Baptist Church. The church was Built to replace a black church built in 1866 that was burned to the ground in 1876 by the Ku Klux Klan. Given “high” priority by the Texas Historical Commission, the church is also a designated historic landmark by the City of San Marcos. In 2018, it received a grant of $150,000.00 from Main Street, the National Trust, and American Express, renovations are pending.
For more information about the Heritage Association of San Marcos, including membership and programs, please visit its website at heritagesanmarcos.org.
•Submitted by The Heritage Association of San Marcos
