Drama students from San Marcos High School will share stories about the early history of our town during the second annual Cemetery Walk from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the San Marcos Cemetery (1001 Old Ranch Road 12).

The event, sponsored by the Heritage Association of San Marcos and the Friends of the San Marcos Cemetery, is open to the public. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students (children under 12 will be admitted free).

Fifteen students from Jack Moore’s drama class have been perfecting their scripts for several weeks now in preparation for the cemetery walk. The students will portray some of the early founders and settlers of San Marcos who are buried in the cemetery.

Tour guides will escort visitors past the various gravesites to hear the students, in period costume, tell about the individuals they represent. Tours will depart at intervals from the historic cemetery chapel.

Seniors Lucas Collier and Misty Glidewell will portray W.O. Hutchison and his wife, Leonora. “I hope visitors get a sense of local culture by learning about the characters from the past that we reenact,” Misty said. Lucas said he hopes the presentation will help others learn more about San Marcos and how settlers like Hutchison influenced its development.

Traci Tucker, a senior who also participated in last year’s walk, said she learned that Eliza Pope Pitts Malone was a strong woman who raised 28 children. “I hope the people attending the cemetery walk take away a better understanding and interest in the kind of people who settled their hometown and the impact they had on its foundation,” Traci said.

Sophomore Zoraida Vences, portraying San Jacinto veteran Walker Wilson, will have the chance to share her monologue with two of Wilson’s great-grandchildren and about ten more of his relatives who are planning to attend. The great-granddaughter said she is thrilled by the opportunity to honor her ancestor and learn more about his life and legacy.

In the 2012 cemetery walk, Charles Sparks portrayed Vicente Gonzalez, a veteran who was killed in Vietnam. This year, he is portraying Peyton Roberts, an African-American whose family lived on the site of the San Marcos Cemetery and eventually sold some of their property to the Cemetery Association. “I hope the attendees take away the fact that there was an African-American founding father in San Marcos,” Charles said. “The most enjoyable part of participating in these events for me is seeing how satisfied the groups are when they walk away.”

Another returning actor from last year’s walk is Ryan Rodriguez, who portrayed Jake Sullivan last year and will take on the role of Dr. David Dailey in this year’s event. “I’ve learned many things about this town’s important people in the past two years, and I’m more proud than ever to live in San Marcos,” Ryan said.  Other students taking part in the Cemetery Walk this year are Isabel Torres, Mathew Roark, Alexandra Burden, Marisa Covarrubias, Kyle Stapp, Melanie Gonzales, Melanie Warner, Mitchell McLeod and Simone Sanborn.

A research and planning committee composed of members of the Heritage Association and Friends of the San Marcos Cemetery has been working for several months to plan the “Echoes from Our Past: Early Settlers of San Marcos” Cemetery Walk. Advance tickets for the event are being sold daily at the First United Methodist Church office and on Nov. 1 at the Charles S. Cock House Museum during the Cottage Kitchen Luncheon from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Proceeds from the walk will be used to fund improvement projects at the San Marcos Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the reenactment will be staged at the LBJ Museum of San Marcos, 131 N. Guadalupe St. beginning at 3 p.m.

For more information, visit sanmarcoscemetery.org or heritagesanmarcos.org or call 512-392-3552.

Heritage Annual Membership Dinner a success!
To see all the pictures, click here.
(pictured left)
The Heritage Association of San Marcos named Thea Dake as the 2013 Community Volunteer and honored Diane Studebaker as 2013 Member of the Year. Read the press release.
Presentation of Landmark awards  preceded the dinner program by photographer, author and storyteller Ralph Yznaga, speaking on historic and remarkable trees in Texas. 

2014 Membership Dues are due October 28th. Click here to download a renewal form or email us (info@heritagesanmarcos.org) if you have questions regarding your membership. Don't forget to remind/invite your friends and family to join as well!

Cowboy Up for Screening of ‘The 101 Ranch’ Documentary at Texas Music Theatre.  Two strong Texas women and one 11,000 acre cattle ranch are the focus of the The 101 Ranch: The Story of the Kuykendall Family, a documentary film coming to the Texas Music Theatre at 2:30 p.m. June 23. 

Sponsored by the Heritage Association of San Marcos, the event—and the popcorn— are free of charge. Doors will open at 2 p.m. at the Texas Music Theatre, which faces the Hays County Courthouse on San Antonio Street.
 
After the show, guests are invited to the Courthouse lawn for a Sunday Social, where cobbler and cookies will be served. The Hays County Museum, located inside the historic Courthouse, will be open as well. 
 
For six decades, between 1902 and the early 1960’s, the 101 Ranch west of Buda was the largest ranch in Hays County. Gil and Maggie Kuykendall bought the land in 1902 and were given the right to use the famous 101 Ranch brand and name from Oklahoma as a wedding present by the owner.  

Just three years later, Gil died, and Maggie spent the next 45 years keeping the ranch in operation. Her daughter, Dorothy, worked with her, maintaining all of the cattle and sheep until she sold the property in 1966. 
 
While the film focuses on these two women and their experiences at the ranch, it also tells how the Kuykendall family first came to Texas with Stephen F. Austin and the Old 300, acquiring land holdings near Blessing. As the family grew, the Kuykendalls became involved in many aspects of life in central Texas.   

Produced by the Hays County Historical Commission and directed by Richard Kidd, the 101 Ranch shows what life was like on a major Texas ranch with interviews from family members who are still living and reenactments of scenes from times past. 

The film also relates how the Kuykendall ranch became known as the “101 Ranch Hilton” because of its many visitors throughout the years. One colorful  family figure, Bill Kuykendall, was a famous polo player who sold horses and played the game during the 1930’s in all parts of the country.

For more information on the “Heritage Roundup on the Square: Sunday Cinema and Social,” visit the Heritage Association website at www.HeritageSanMarcos.org.

Photo Caption: The 101 Ranch was the largest cattle operation in Hays County from 1902
to the early 1960’s, with over 11,000 acres of cattle, horses, and sheep. A documentary film
about the ranch and the colorful family who ran it will be shown free of charge June 23 at the
Texas Music Theatre.

This weekend celebrates the local history of San Marcos, Texas.

Friday, May 3rd:
Cinco de Mayo Luncheon - Get Your Grito Ready! 
11:30 am
Parque Cuauhtemoc
$10 ~ ticket. Call ~ 878-0640. 
Sponsored by: Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, LULAC #654 and Sociedad Cuauhtemoc

Sat, May 4th:
Cinco de Mayo parade 9:30am. Look for the Heritage float that will include skaters in poodle skirts and a '57 Cadillac from Dick's Classic Garage.

LBJ Museum open 10am - 5pm. Admission is free.


Calaboose African American Museum open 10am - 2pm. Admission is free.

Tour of Homes sponsored by the Heritage Association of San Marcos 1-5pm. Pick up your tickets (only $10) at the Charles S. Cock House Musuem or at any of the homes featured on the tour.

Yellow Rose Casino Night SPONSORED BY THE CENTEX WING 6pm

Sun, May 5th:
Tour of Homes sponsored by the Heritage Association of San Marcos 1-5pm. Pick up your tickets (only $10) at the Charles S. Cock House Musuem or at any of the homes featured on the tour.