Coming Attractions at the Sugar Land Heritage Mueum

Click the image to magnify the flyer.

Friends of the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation will have a social at the museum on the evening of August 9th. The theme is the history of education in our town. Its title is Back to School: Then and Now. I'll have more information as we get closer to the date. Click this link to view info about the Friends organization on the SLHF's Web site.

Tommy Laird recently sent me an 'appetizer,' which I'll try to use in a talk at the event. He found it among his mother's collection of memorabilia. I have never seen a copy before, and it has some intriguing points in it. Retiring Superintendent of SLISD, E. K. Barden, sent this letter to local residents just before he died in 1950. Click the image to view the letter.

SLISD Superintendent, E. K. Barden's valedictory letter at his retirement in 1950.

Morales Family Donations to SLHF

In 2014, the Morales family, long-time residents of Sugar Land, donated two historic jerseys to the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation. A ceremony highlighting the donation occurred at a Turn Back The Clock Night at Constellation Field before the start of a Skeeters game.

The jerseys were worn by George Morales, Sr. who played for the Imperials, a Hispanic team sponsored by the Imperial Sugar Company for many years. These jerseys date to the mid-1950s. You can see examples in the two photos below.

Sugar Land Imperials, mid-1950s.

 Manager Joaquin Mora wearing the same uniform.

In early August, the Morales family made another visit to the SLHF to donate a jersey from another team sponsored by Imperial. This one is an Imperial Pirates jersey. Here's an old team photo from the 1970s, showing the jersey.

Imperial Pirates in the 1970s.

   

The next photos show the Morales family displaying the Imperials and Pirates jerseys during their recent visit. The SLHF is very pleased to have these jerseys, which commemorate the tradition of Hispanic baseball in old Sugar Land.

 

Joe Morales with Imperials jersey and George Morales, Jr. with Pirates jersey.

The Morales family, long-time Sugar Landers and generous donors to the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation.

The visit included a surprise. Notice the black-and-white photo of the young boys in the background.  Here's a clearer view of it.

Four young SL baseball fans in the mid-1950s. Clockwise from lower left: George Morales, Jr., Julian Astorga, Fred Mora, and Mike Mora.
  

George Morales, Jr. saw it as we gathered in the museum and said, "That's me!"

George Morales, Jr. then and now.
      

The old photo was part of Sugar Land's 2016 FotoFest exhibit. When we put it together, we liked the photo and decided to use it, but had no idea who the boys were. There was no annotation on the back to give us a clue.

George said, "I heard all over town that people had seen my picture, but I never saw it. I'm glad to see it now!" 

The photo was taken for an article that appeared in The Imperial Crown, the monthly bulletin for employees, but it wasn't used. George supplied the identities for us. He's kneeling on the left. Behind him is Julian Astorga. Standing on the right is Fred Mora. Kneeling on the right is Mike Mora.

One last item to mention. We learned recently of an Arcadia book on Hispanic baseball.  It's Mexican American Baseball in Houston and Southeast Texas. There's a chapter devoted to Sugar Land, which is very good. I enjoyed it.

Announcements

I have a couple of announcements that should interest readers of this blog.  On Tuesday afternoon, I attended a meeting with Dr. Charles Dupre, Superintendent of Fort Bend ISD. He led a discussion with several local residents about the school district's plans for Lakeview Elementary and the old Sugar Land Auditorium.

I'll summarize his points very briefly since I'm sure we'll have more on this in the future:

• FBISD will not close Lakeview Elementary. In fact, they will renovate the school to a degree yet to be determined, but the result will be an active, thriving school. 
• Renovations may involve reworking existing buildings, or maybe replacing them with new ones built in a suitable architectural style. 
• The gym, dating from 1932, will remain.
• The development of Imperial Market will result in changing demographics for the area surrounding Lakeview, so there are solid reasons to keep the school in operation.
• The Auditorium will be preserved. The relevant issue is transferring ownership to the City of Sugar Land, which is better equipped to handle historic preservation of the structure.
• Almost everyone recognizes the Auditorium's historic significance and wants to see it return as a hub of community life. 

If you hear rumors that the school will be closed, or that the district will not expend funds to improve it, you can quash those rumors with this information. The district will put a bond proposal before the voters in 2018. It will include upgrades for Lakeview Elementary based on community consultation. I'll have more on this in the future.

The second item concerns the Sugar Land Heritage Museum and Visitor Center, which will open later this year. The City hosted a ceremony on Thursday morning (May 31st) marking the countdown on these new developments. 

The museum and visitors center will be located above the Children's Discovery Center in Imperial Market. (I'll post design sketches in the future.)

Last but definitely not least, Martin Nicholas, Chairman of the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation's board of directors, announced that Larry Johnson, President & CEO of Johnson Development Corp., donated $150,000 to the SLHF to fund the museum's opening exhibits. Mr. Johnson's donation comes before the SLHF has formally launched a capital fundraising campaign, so it is as timely as it is generous. Thank you, Mr. Johnson!

 

Sugar Land's mayor and city council begin work on the museum & visitors center.

News & Updates

I regret that, once again, I have bad news to pass along. My thanks go to Ella Patterson who relayed news of Charles Allison's death she received from Beverly Wharton. Charles and Beverly graduated from Dulles in 1973. I searched for an obituary, but could not find one. God bless Charles and the Allison family.

Charles Allision, DHS '73.

Ella also notified me that Margaret Lindsay, long-time resident of Mayfield Park, died in early May. I know her son, Eddie, who graduated from Dulles in 1969. Here's a brief obituary. My deepest condolences to Eddie, his brother Carl, and sisters, Dianne and Sharon.

Just a few days ago, Roger Howard notified me that Mary Amaro de la Cruz passed away. Mary graduated with Roger in the Class of '63 at Dulles. George Morales (DHS '63) sent this obituary, which included many things I never knew about Mary. (I remember when she worked at the post office in Sugar Land.) I hope Mary's extended family finds genuine comfort after the loss of their loved one.

My final bit of news concerns Steve Shelton, also in the Class of '63 at Dulles. He suffered a stroke a few weeks ago and was hospitalized here in Sugar Land. I mistakenly thought he was on his way to recovery, but I understand that he's back in the hospital. I thought his friends would want to know he needs their prayers and kind wishes for a strong recovery. I'll pass along any new when I hear it.

I have one update from Ronald Miller (SLHS '51). After reading about B. I. Webb's recent death, he sent me this comment:

Charles, thank you for BI's obituary.  Our days of hunting together is now over, but I know that I'll bump into him again.  He was a great class mate, storyteller and friend.  I have been missing his phone calls and thought of him yesterday, not knowing what was going on. Ron

Here's a good photo of B. I. enjoying life.
  

 

 George 'B. I.' Webb in the 1950s.

News at the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation

In addition to yesterday's (May 31, 2017) announcement about the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation & Sugar Land Visitor's Center, there is more news about the Heritage Foundation. First, the foundation hosted a dinner for its volunteers on May 3. (Many thanks to board member Allison Wen for sponsoring the soiree at Safari Texas.)

The top of program was a presentation by Jim Murnane, Imperial Market developer. He walked us through the plans for the old Imperial refinery site. Here are some of the key points:

• construction will begin in July 2017 and be completed in December 2018. (It's ambitious, but reasonable.)
• the Char House will be a Marriott Signature Hotel. (They made this choice because Marriott's Signature line maintains the history and character of their locations.)
• tenants will not include national franchises. (Local owners/operators will occupy the retail spaces to give a community feel to the site.)
• tenants will undergo a thorough review to ensure long-term occupancy.
• free transportation (trolley) will be available on the site. (Boat tours are under consideration.)

Click here to view the graphics that accompanied Jim's presentation. I will have more on Imperial Market in the coming months. I think this is exciting.

Some of you may have seen KHOU's Great Day Houston program which featured our town. If not, click this link to take a look.

Update on Sugar Land's First Farmer's Market

Here's an article on last week's farmers market here in Sugar Land.  It was a big hit.  There's one each Saturday through the fall.

Link to article on farmer's market.
  

Volunteers for Sugar Land's Farmer's Market

I got the following note from Eleanor Barton at the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation.  If you're inclined to help with the Farmer's Market, give Eleanor a call.  You'll see her number below.

***************

We need your help!

Beginning in October, SLHF will be participating in the Farmers Market at Imperial.  We are looking for volunteers to work in our booth from 9 am until 1 pm on Saturdays.  We need at least two people on site each week.  Responsibilities will include setting up and breaking down the table and chairs, hanging signage, selling books and t-shirts, promoting our walking tours, and providing general information about SLHF to the public. 

DON’T FORGET--you’ll also have a chance to enjoy all of the food and fun at the Farmers Market!

Please let me know if you are available to work on any of the following Saturdays:

October 1 (NO ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS DATE)

October 8

October 15

October 22

October 29

November 5

November 12

November 19

November 26

December 3

December 10

Once you have signed up, I will be in touch with more details.

SLHF depends on the time and talent of community members like you.  THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

Sincerely,

Eleanor

Eleanor Barton

Executive Director

Sugar Land Heritage Foundation

ebarton@slheritage.org

281-494-0261

http://www.slheritage.org

 

Volunteers for Sugar Land Heritage Foundation, September 3rd

I got the following note from the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation.  They want volunteers who can spare a Saturday morning to help whip their site (future Sugar Land Museum) into shape.  It looks like they will work every Saturday morning in September - beginning this Saturday. 

I know they'd appreciate the help if you want to lend a hand.
 

**********

Dear SLHF Volunteers,

We have a couple of projects that we could use as many volunteers for as possible.

They are:

1) We have an urgent need to collect / preserve bricks that have been recently removed from the Char House.

These bricks have been fully cleaned as part of the abatement process and are piled on the east side of the Char House.

They will be hauled off in the near future.

2) For those who do not want to work outside, we have another project to sort and stack like bricks together. These bricks are already stored in the 3 Bay Warehouse.
 

We will meet each Saturday from 9 AM – 12 Noon beginning this Saturday, September 3rd.

Water, Gatorade, and light snacks provided.

Please remember to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, please bring your work gloves.

Thanks,
Dennis Parmer
President of SLHF
 

Farmer's Market at Imperial Refinery, October 2nd

My sister-in-law, Jane Goodsill, sent me the following info.  Sounds like a winner to me.

***********

(Update) The Farmers Market will be on the Imperial refinery site at the intersection of Highway-90A & Brooks Street.  (Head for the Char House & you'll find it.)

(Update) I've sent a note to the City to clarify the location.  I think it's at the Imperial Refinery site (rather than Highway 90 at Highway 6 as noted in some of their info.)  I'll post a confirmation of the location when I get it.


Farmers Market at Imperial

Now residents of Sugar Land and beyond can enjoy the freshest-tasting produce, view one-a-kind arts and crafts and interesting artistic finds at the Farmers Market at Imperial, located at Highway 90 at Highway 6, to be held every Saturday beginning October 1 through December 10. 

Presented by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, each Farmers Market at Imperial will be held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. rain or shine.  Visitors can purchase local cheeses, fresh baked goods, jam, honey, fresh-cut flowers and more.  Enchanted Gardens nursery design professionals will be on hand to answer landscaping questions and offer whimsical holiday gifts for the gardener in the family.  Live music, cooking demonstrations by area chefs, children’s activities and appearances by the Sugar Land Skeeters mascot are planned, turning this traditional Farmers Market into a festival of food and fun.

Imperial Sugar Land’s park-like setting, with picnic tables under sprawling oak trees, allows visitors to enjoy their locally grown food purchases while gathering with friends neighbors. Plus, free, on-site parking provides easy access to the market. 

Link to more info on Farmer's Market at Imperial.
 

"Go On A Sugar Land Heritage Hike"

I wanted to let everyone know about a Sugar Land Heritage event on October 8th.

Here's a press release for details.

If you have any questions, you can contact Eleanor Barton at the email address in the release.  (Unfortunately, the link doesn't work in Google Docs.)

I hope to see you there.

SLHF Staff and Board Members are gearing up for the Sugar Land Heritage Hike scheduled for Saturday, October 8.  From left: Roy Cordes, Shay Shafie, Eleanor Barton, Bruce Kelly, Sharon Ehrenkranz, Bob Brown, Merle Smithers, Don Smithers, John Whitmore, Dennis Parmer  (Photo by Geof Nesossi)