Wilson County Historical Society

Talk of Wilson County TX Historic Towns

by Barbara J. Wood

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*Denise Salazar commented correctly, "Aurelia's off CR 128" & Anthony Delgado replied, "Looks like the restaurant over by Helton Park. Aurelia's? It was once a grocery store in the early 1900s." Granddaugter Terri Dale Pfeil shared, " This was my Grandparents store ran by Tommy and Alta Tackitt. My Father and his Sister were born in the back of the store where they lived." Maj Johnston added, " That house many things many years back the last business was a cafe I've been hanging around Wilson County now 30 years and heard all kind of stories about that place. Used to be a place where the law men hung out and they did a lot of gambling in there and stuff at one time." Read the comments for updated news about the old building & the restaurant.

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DO YOU KNOW ... the name & location of this historic building? Evelyn Raabe was correct with the answer, "The Floresville Chroncle-Journal Building. I can still hear the presses running in my mind. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fore,Jr. Publishers". Evelyn Frank had the location correct with " .... the corner of C and 2nd across from the old city hall". Wyatt Talley commented, "Floresville chronicle journal" correctly.
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The 1916 Floresville Chronicle-Journal Building was the headquarters of local newspaperman Sam Fore Jr., who operated the paper here for nearly 50 years. Fore was also a local politician who struck up a friendship with a young Lyndon Baines Johnson, which lasted until Fore's death in 1966. Then-President Johnson attended Fore's funeral. Fore used his newspaper and connections to promote and bring improvements to the Floresville area.

The Chronicle-Journal Building was recently certified for state and federal tax credits after a full rehabilitation. It's now used as medical offices. Remnants of old printing presses remain in place as an important part of the building's history.
Courtesy/ Texas Historical Commission 2020

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DO YOU KNOW ??... original location & name of building??? The Harry Schraub Store that once stood at the corner of Chihuahua and Seguin streets in downtown La Vernia was the correct answer. Alan Peschke posted location first, Gay Lynn Olsovsky posted the name first, & Connie Schraub Terry, granddaughter of Harry Schraub, posted interesting additional information, " What I remember is two businesses, the store and the restaurant, with a common wall. Both businesses had an entrance on Chihuahua Street and there was a doorway through the common wall.The part that was Lenz Cafe was torn down long ago. The part that was torn down about a year ago was my grandfather's grocery store."

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DO YOU KNOW... correct answer is "chimney remains of the Ferry House at the Lodi Ferry in Floresville". The Lodi Ferry, a historical landmark, was located on the east bank of the San Antonio River, about one mile north of Floresville's center, at the community of Lodi, and is marked by a Texas Historical Commission marker at the intersection of Peach Street and Goliad Road.

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Where is this building located & what was its purpose? Christina Brown Leal was born at the old Wilson County Hospital so she knew the answer. Christina adds that the building is located in Floresville Texas off 97 next to the Pecan Park. It's just a hollow building now. It was being turned into a boutique mall type place but that fell through so it's just sitting there with half demo done.

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Where is this building located & what was its purpose? The correct answer was gleamed from several partial answers... The building housed Wilson County's first Library located on the Courthouse Square. Mrs. Inez Jackson was the librarian back then. It's where the Wilson County Historical Society's Archives Building is located presently.

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Where is this building located & what is its purpose? Sonya West Pruski answered first correctly! "It is the Stockdale Museum and once was the office for Doctor Ware. Everyone should go it is a fantastic place."

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Answer "both" questions correctly "first" to be recognized. HINT: A drive by the Jail House Museum will help you answer this question. Laura Swiess replied correctly with Will Wright, sheriff and Texas Ranger.

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Where was this machine located & what was its purpose? (Answer both questions) Roger Flores knows the "Grasshopper" used for Seed harvesting on the Higgins grass farm in New Town Sutherland Springs.