1. Condolences:  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gary Nelson, as his wife Sherry Nelson passed away recently.  Visitation will be Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 1:00-2:00, and funeral service will be from 2:00-3:00, also on Thursday May 28, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in San Marcos, Tx.

 

2.  Birthday and Anniversary Celebration:  Cheryl Petre brought a very yummy dessert to celebrate May birthdays and anniversaries.  Thank you, Cheryl.

 

3.  Kiwanis Donation:  Jennifer Richmond, Penny Slavik, and Rick Pickering met with several staff members from the San Marcos Public Library to present a check for $2500. to help with the Summer Reading Program.  This year's theme will be "Big Rigs".  Kickoff is right around the corner, and even though many volunteer positions are filled, they won't turn anyone away that would like to help.

 

4.  Officers for 2026-2027 were voted on and approved by majority vote by the Club.  Kristi Dame will be President, Penny Slavik will be Secretary, and Willie Garza will be treasurer.  Several Board of Director member will be needed, as well, but that will be addressed at a future meeting.  Congratulations go to our club leadership!

 

5.  Camp Workday:  Last Saturday, we had a great turnout for camp workday.  Thanks to Lon Shell, Chase Dame, Jennifer Richmond, Kelli Whigham, and Steve Whigham, the camp is ready to welcome our newest Good Citizen Campers.  

 

6.  Scholarship Recipients:  Vanessa Westbank and Rick Pickering attended the San Marcos High School Awards Ceremony and presented scholarships to 6 students.  The following are the names and amount given to each High School seniors:

 

Thomas DeLaCruz- $1200

Layla Arredondo- $1000

Jackson Murphree- $800

Marilee Olsen- $500

Jackson Boren- $500

Lukas Wagner- $500

 

The club will host a social for all of the scholarship recipients and their families on June 6, 2026, from 11:00-1:00 at the McBride Wilson Kiwanis Camp.  Willie Garza plans to grill and members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts.

 

 

"The Hill" has been inhabited by many types of people, throughout the span of 13,000 years.  Indigenous people, nomads, explorers, opportunists, missionaries, and business entrepreneurs have called this area home.  Not much is known about the early times, due to the lack of written word, but the successes and hardships have molded San Marcos into what it is today.  

 

 

"The Hill" extended up from Grins Restaurant to IH-35, through Aquarena Springs, and anywhere there was river or lake.  

 

In 1755, a group of missionaries moved to the San Marcos River, but were forced to leave due to attacks from the Apache tribe, poor crop production, and floods.  In the early 1800's, the Spanish Mexican Government wanted their people to colonize in Texas, but some were driven out to San Antonio by cold winters, floods, and the lack of supplies that had been promised by their government.  The Native Americans did not always make it easy for them, as well, and at one point the natives stole over 200 horses.

 

During the 1800's more people began settling in San Marcos and other areas of Texas, due to land grants given as payment for serving in the Texas Revolution.  General Edward Burleson chose an area near Aquarena Springs and built and lived in a cabin in 1847.  Many years later, this same cabin was put on display as part of Aquarena Springs while it was a popular tourist spot.  Sadly, the cabin is now in ruins, with the only surviving feature being the chimney.  (Linda Coker is part of a committee that has been trying to get this building saved but has faced many people that don't want to get it restored.)

 

1877 brought the Northern Railroad and this brought more people.  By 1890 there were 2,300 settlers, and by 1910, there were 4000 residents.  The importance of schools increased, and the first public school was called Coronal Institute.  Then came Easton School, Weston School, and the Colored School.

 

 

The discovery of Wonder World Cave brought paving to the roads.  Throughout history, the people living on "The Hill" have seen so many changes including economic changes, social changes, and financial changes.  They have been made aware of Church buildings, bank robberies, and even the robbery of a stagecoach by Belle Star and her sons while it traveled on the old San Antonio Road, now known as Hunter Road.

 

Thank you Linda for sharing the fascinating history of San Marcos!  We wish you luck in convincing the people responsible for deciding the fate of our historical San Marcos artifacts.

 

 

May 28, 2026:  History of Grin's Restaurant with Paul Sutphen