Historical CommissionThank you, Mayor. I’ll be guiding tonight’s strategy discussion on a possible
City Council-appointed commission that would meet to discuss, promote, and
recommend the preservation of Southlake’s history.
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The purpose of this discussion item is to familiarize City Council with the
concept of a Council-appointed Historical Commission and receive Council’s
direction on the creation of a Historical commission.
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I have a few slides to get everyone in the mood to talk Southlake History, then
I’ll provide some examples of how other cities are structuring their historical
preservation efforts, and then we’ll look at what a Southlake historical
commission might look like, and then we’ll open it up for a guided discussion.
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The creation of a Historical Commission in Southlake would advance our goal
to actively promote opportunities for partnerships and volunteer involvement
and, depending on the commission’s responsibilities, provide attractive and
unique spaces for enjoyment of personal interests.
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Let’s get everyone in the mood for history and look briefly at a few photos that
I’m sure most everyone in this room has already seen. It’s like your family
photo album tucked away on a bookshelf somewhere in your house… it’s
always fun to pull it out and peruse through the photographs and remember
“the good ole days.” Here’s the baptism hole near the Lonesome Dove Baptist
Church around 1940, and the Torian family’s log cabin home, Bob Jones’
family reunion, and the cotton mill at Jellico.
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The Southlake area was settled in the 1840s and a number of schools opened
up in Southlake in the mid to late 1800s –like White’s Chapel School, Sam’s
School, Dove School, and Old Union School. In 1919 the schools merged
under the Carroll Common School District. The first 1919 Carroll School class
is that photo in the center.
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One of the duties a commission might perform is define what is historical… is
Doug’s Barber Shop historical? What about the Flying Burrito restaurant with
that iconic mariachi on a flying burrito? Is that historical? I wish I were here
then.
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It’s impossible to preserve structures and land in perpetuity, so we have to
focus on preserving our heritage… the artifacts, the photographs, and the
stories. Here’s a photo of the intersection of White’s Chapel Blvd and Farm-to-
Market 1709 circa 1960…
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… and that same intersection in 2007.
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The 1709-1938 intersection in the early 70’s… before Albertson’s, Blockbuster,
DPS West, Sonic, or Sprouts.
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And the McPherson-Fetchel Farm on FM1709 that would…
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eventually become Southlake Town Square.
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and there’s history being written today. Imagine Southlake Town Square in 46
years when we pull out that 50 th anniversary time capsule. Think about the
accomplishments of the Southlake-Carroll schools, both academically and
athletically, and all this town has accomplished to become recognized as one
of the best places to live in Texas.
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Looking at some of Southlake’s historical sites, the Log Cabin is a good
example of how a Historical Commission might have come in handy. They
would have likely taken a streamlined lead on the discussion, recommended a
location, provided funding options and curriculum suggestions.
Other historic sites in Southlake include Bunker Hill, on which the Bicentennial
Park water tower is placed; White’s Chapel, the Jellico and Dove communities,
Old Union, and Mount Carmel Baptist Church. All the sites on this list are just
that… sites, with no remaining structures to view and experience. The 1919
Carroll School is really the only significant remaining historical structure in
Southlake. Besides serving as a school from 1919 through the 1960s, the
building served as a City Hall at one point and the city’s first Library.
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Part of my preparation for this presentation was a survey of 30 North Texas cities… all of which are on
our benchmark city list. We want to see what other cities are doing and how they approach historical
preservation. A little more than half of those surveyed have a city council-appointed board or
commission geared toward historical preservation. That list is on the far left and includes cities like
Colleyville, Flower Mound, Mansfield, and others.
Cities that are highlighted in bold italics are cities that participate in the “Certified Local Government”
program through the federal government and the Texas Historical Commission. To quote the state
coordinator of the program, “These cities typically have a high degree of historical integrity consisting of
a concentrated core of historic buildings and the willingness of the local government to protect them by
adopting a local preservation ordinance.” These cities also have additional opportunities for and higher
priority in historical preservation grants.
[Run through the unique character of some of the cities…
DeSoto –Nance Farm;
Farmers Branch –Historic Park;
Lewisville –Certificate of Appropriateness
Historic Districts v. Historic Landmarks]
It’s not like the cities that don’t have a board aren’t active in historical preservation. Frisco, for
instance…. Bedford at one point had both a commission and a foundation, but both have disbanded and
their Parks department is now in charge of the Old Bedford School and some of their historical
preservation initiatives. Coppell apparently has a commission on the books but it is currently inactive.
I found that commissions are generally partnered with the Community Services or Parks department, but
others are partnered with the Planning department, City Manager’s Office, and the Economic
Development Department or Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Naming conventions abound, as you can see by the list on the bottom right, and membership usually
consists of 5-to 7-members, although one of them had a committee of 34.
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Conduct a continuing survey of cultural resources in the community;
Establish written guidelines for the preservation of structures and sites
designated as historic;
Act in an advisory role to other officials and departments of local government
regarding the protection of local cultural resources;
Acting as liaison on behalf of the local government to individuals and
organizations concerned with historic preservation;
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Naming recommendations for new subdivisions and streets;
Principal body for special projects (i.e. Log Cabin, 50 th Anniversary,
memorials/monuments, etc.);
Recommend historical displays/décor in businesses and public buildings;
Implement a Historical Preservation element of Comp Plan
Spending recommendations on Hotel Occupancy Tax for projects that will
enhance tourism and economic development in Southlake
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