Limestone County Historical Commission Plans Courthouse Centennial Celebration

The Limestone County Historical Commission held its regular meeting on Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. at the Limestone County Courthouse. Present at the meeting were members Linda Jordan, Peggy Billingsley, Rachel Newman, Bubba McDonald, and William Reagan.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman William Reagan, who verified the presence of a quorum. The minutes from the September meeting were presented and approved.
Reagan reported that Linda Ferris had shared that Preservation Texas may be interested in purchasing the Trinity/Westminster campus in Tehuacana. He also explained that two additional panels were needed for the courthouse history display, and a motion was made by Jordan to purchase the necessary materials. McDonald seconded the motion, which passed.
Reagan also provided updates on several Texas Historical markers. The application for a marker for the Hyden-Hughes Cemetery was approved, with the cemetery association having sent payment to the Texas Historical Commission. Additionally, the order for the historical marker for the St. Paul Institute in Mexia had been sent to the foundry.
Jordan made a motion to approve seven First Families of Limestone County applications for Debbie Wilson McCall's ancestors. Billingsley seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The recognized ancestors included Alfred Conner, Eliza Walker Conner, Hagar Conner, Christopher Columbus Cotton Sr., Eliza Jane Cotton Sanders, Horace Sanders, and Giles Cotton. The First Families program honors early settlers of the Limestone County area who lived there by 1896. Applications for the program are available on the Limestone CHC website.
McDonald reported on the progress of the Brown-McGee Cemetery’s grant application, noting that an estimate for the work is still pending. The Bruce A. Jordan Memorial Cemetery Grant, administered by the Limestone CHC, provides up to $3,000 to repair and level tombstones. Applications are available on the Limestone CHC website.
McDonald also announced that the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Coolidge is planning a dedication ceremony for its historical marker on Oct.19.
In Ferris’s absence, Billingsley presented the treasurer’s report. The commission discussed the upcoming 100th anniversary of the courthouse, which was officially occupied on Dec. 22, 1924. The celebration is planned for the week of Dec. 16, with a reception on the evening of Dec. 17. Plans include refreshments, speakers, a proclamation by County Judge Richard Duncan, courthouse tours, and a historical display in the foyer. The CHC will also publish a booklet on the courthouse history and submit a series of articles to local newspapers in the weeks leading up to the celebration. McDonald agreed to contact Judge Duncan to arrange a meeting with county officials to discuss the participation of county offices in an open house during the anniversary week.
Due to the unavailability of the courthouse on Election Day, Billingsley offered to host the next meeting on Nov. 5,  at the Groesbeck Church of Christ.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.