Author: Joe Lovelace

Linden’s 1939 Firehouse on Preservation Texas’ Most Endangered Places List

~ Joe Lovelace ~ 3 Comments
Aerial photo of 1939 Linden Firehouse by Kerry and Erin Wells.
Aerial photo of 1939 Linden Firehouse by Kerry and Erin Wells.

Linden’s 1939 Firehouse has been chosen by Preservation Texas for its 2016 Texas’ Most Endangered Places list in the local public building category.  The fourteen sites being added to the 2016 list will be announced formally at Wooldridge Park in Austin on Thursday afternoon as part of Preservation Texas 2016 Summit.  The following statement was posted on PreservationTexas.org.

Preservation Texas posted the following information on their website on 18 February 2016.

“The sites on the 2016 list represent cultural, architectural and historic places that are at risk, and represent the types of sites that are endangered across Texas. Local grassroots organizations have been working tirelessly in support of these sites.  By including them on the list, Preservation Texas hopes to rally Texans statewide to step up and save them. Historic preservation has a $4.6 billion economic impact in Texas. Historic sites named to the list of Texas’ Most Endangered Places represent some of the best opportunities to make a positive economic impact on local communities through preservation, particularly through the use of the new state historic preservation tax credit.”

Preservation Texas supports sites on its Most Endangered Places List providing advocacy support, publicity and assistance and assistance in fostering and building community partnerships.

Representatives of the Linden Heritage Foundation are attending the awards ceremony in Austin.

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Linden City Council Approves Water Tower and Firehouse Activities

~ Joe Lovelace

At its meeting on 11 January 2016, the Linden City Council received a report from the Linden Heritage Foundation.

Two prior resolutions were reviewed briefly so that updates could be given on their fulfilment:

  1. 13th day of October, 2015 – Resolution by Linden City Council to encourage the Foundation, by December 31, 2015, to submit a plan to materially stimulate future private development of the Water Tower and Firehouse and also to submit a plan to determine the eligibility of both sites to be registered historic landmarks;
  2. 9th day of November, 2015 – Resolution to convey the Firehouse to the Linden Heritage Foundation, subject to the terms and conditions in the resolution.

In response to these Resolutions, the Foundation respectfully reported the following actions:

On 14 November, 2015, Sue Lazara, member of Preservation Texas, nominated the 1939 Old Linden Firehouse to PreservationTexas.org to be placed on the 2016 Most Endangered Places List.

On 31 December, 2015, the Foundation submitted to the City Council a Draft Request for Proposal intended to solicit commercial development of the two properties with specific investment incentives and requirements explained therein.

On 4 January, 2016, the Linden Heritage Foundation submitted to the Texas Historical Commission a request for Determination of Eligibility to the National Register. This request covered historical and architectural details on the Firehouse and Water Tower plus generalized information on eighteen (18) other Linden properties that might constitute and support a potential downtown Linden Historic District.

On 8 January, 2016, the City of Linden conveyed to the Linden Heritage Foundation the West 26’ of Lot 5, Block 2, Linden Old Townsite, being the same land described in Warranty Deed 2016000127, recorded in the Deed Records of Cass County, Texas.  This being the Firehouse lot.

On 11 January, 2016, the City Council unanimously approved the Draft Request for Proposal subject to the attachment of the Warranty Deed from the City of Linden to the Linden Heritage Foundation and a current description and accurate plat of the City’s remaining interest in Lot 5, Block 2, of the Linden Old Townsite.

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200th Charter Member is Linden Native Kerry Wells

~ Joe Lovelace ~ 3 Comments
Family photo courtesy of Kerry and Erin Wells
Family photo courtesy of Kerry and Erin Wells

Cass County roots run deep. For Kerry Wells, the 200th Charter Member of the Linden Heritage Foundation, his local origin dates back to the 1800s when his great-great grandfather made the trek to the area and settled in on a place he deemed the Ray Mountain in the Concord Community.  He instituted a saw mill which aided in the family’s survival on through the Great Depression.  Having weathered the storms of the era, Kerry’s great uncle Louie Ray later acquired the Foster Skating Rink which served up happier times for area occupants.  Those firmly grounded beginnings produced an impeccable setting for Kerry to flourish:

“Growing up nestled in the Piney Woods was a privilege.  I spent most of my time working in or exploring the unique aspects of our area.  When I wasn’t in the woods I could be found playing baseball until dark at Crow Heath Park. There were gatherings at the Pickle Shed and you could always find out what was going on after a drive by The Country Store.  My mother would regularly send my brother and me up to Allen Brothers to be outfitted head to toe.  I would receive two minute alterations with biggest pair of scissors I’d ever seen.  Downtown was bustling.  Every building had one of the best mom and pop spots anywhere around.  We looked forward to the Wildflower Trails where I was determined to champion the Treasure Hunt each year.  While this never happened I was the proud winner of the Piggly Wiggly “Let’s Go to the Races” scratch off which made up for it.  There were always fascinating stories swirling around town like the time a deer ran through the streets and jumped through several store front windows, “last seen headed North.”  I had so many great times growing up in Linden but mostly I remember a community involved together for the greater good.“

Kerry is a proud graduate of Linden Kildare High School and went on to obtain a degree at Texas A&M University.  The bit of magic in the soil here brought him back to his roots and today he puts his lifelong experiences to use by enhancing and promoting the local landscape as a real estate professional with Century 21 Platinum Partners.  He resides with his wife Erin, also a Charter Member who foster an eagerness for serving the people of Cass County, and their three children; Asher Stone, Alayna Linae, and Breckin Sloan who attend Linden Kildare Elementary and are making their parents proud as next generation Linden Tigers.

Both Kerry and Erin encourage you to join in the noble work being done by the Linden Heritage Foundation to preserve local legacies while creating a thriving home town atmosphere for present and future generations.

#LindenHeritageFdn

Reminder of First Annual Meeting of the Membership Scheduled for 23 January 2016

~ Joe Lovelace

The first Annual Meeting the Membership of the Linden Heritage Foundation will be held on Saturday, 23 January 2016, at the Linden Garden Club (300 E Houston St) starting at 2 pm.  All members are encouraged to attend and exercise their right to vote for 2016 Board of Directors.

The agenda for the meeting includes:

  1. Welcome – Sam Higdon, President
  2. Introduction of Nominating Committee Members – Sam Higdon
  3. Nominating Committee submits Slate of Directors for election
  4. Explanation of voting process, tabulate vote, and announce results
  5. Review of Foundation financial statement
  6. Review of past and current activities
  7. Questions and Comments
  8. Announcement of next quarterly meeting of Board of Directors – date, time, and location
  9. Refreshments & Visitation

The Board of Directors will meet following the Business Meeting to discuss:

  1. Election of Officers
  2. Staggered terms of Directors
  3. Committee formation
  4. Goals for 2016

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First 2016 Linden City Council Meeting Scheduled for 11 January with Foundation-Related Topics on Agenda

~ Joe Lovelace

The Linden City Council’s first meeting of 2016 is scheduled for Monday, 11 January, starting at 6:00 pm at the Mary Daughety Senior Citizens Center located at 507 S. Kaufman in Linden.

Two items on the agenda will be of interest to members and friends of the Linden Heritage Foundation.

  • “Discuss and take action on Request for Proposals for fire house and water tower”
  • “Discuss fire house deed for Heritage Foundation”
  • “Discuss and take action on selection of two members representing City Council on “Linden 2025” committee (only one can be a council member)”

We hope that you will be able to attend.

#LindenHeritageFdn