Thanks to everyone who came out for the showing of "101 Ranch: The Story of the Kuykendall Family". A special thanks to the Hays County Historical Commission for providing the wonder cobbler and Texas Music Theater for hosting.

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.

You know that fall has arrived when the weather finally turns cool . . . leaves begin to turn . . . football fever strikes . . . and Heritage members come together for the Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Dinner.

This year's event is set for Thursday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Academy Dining Hall.  Highlights of the program will include the 2012 Landmark Awards and the announcement of the Heritage Member of the Year and Community Volunteer of the Year.  The new slate of officers will also be presented for a vote during the business portion of the meeting.

One of our partners in local preservation work, the Hays County Historical Commission will provide the evening's program, "Documenting History," a presentation of excerpts from the commission's documentary film programs on Jack C. Hays, Buck Winn, Parks Johnson, World War II veterans, and the "Voices of Hays County" series.  Film-maker Richard Kidd will also share about how these programs were shot, edited and distributed for the benefit of Hays County students and residents.

Mark October 25, 6:30 p.m. on your calendar, and look for your invitation in the mail in a few more weeks!. 

More than 200 people filled the Texas Music Theatre August 11, bringing in over $2,500 in profit for the day from ticket sales and DVD sales (we keep a portion of all DVD sales at the event).  After seeing the award-winning documentary, guests at the event were treated to a bonus feature: video footage of the recent removal of the two submarine theatres from Spring Lake.

Filmmaker Bob Phillips introduced Brenda Russell (daughter of Margaret Russell who trained many of the Aquamaids); Shirley Rogers, one of the first Aquamaids; and Scott McGehee, former General Manager to talk about Aquarena and take questions from the audience.   

We appreciate their attendance which made the event even more special.

Many Heritage members answered the call to help make the afternoon such a success.  Among those who worked at the event or contributed in other ways were Chris Secrest, Jane Hughson & Terry Blackwell, Jim and Doni Weber, Sue and Jimmy Cobb, Ed & Sally Kuny, Diane Baker, Thea Dake and her grandson, Bibb Underwood, Diane Studebaker, Bill & Janet Fly, Marianne Moore, Anne DeStefano, and Shelley Henry.