Calvert Played Host to Texas Historians

The Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP) is based around 10 scenic driving trails created in 1968 by Gov. John Connally and the Texas Highway Department (now the Texas Department of Transportation) as a marketing tool. The trails were established in conjunction with HemisFair, an international exposition that commemorated the 250th anniversary of the founding of San Antonio.

In 1997, the State Legislature charged the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to create a statewide heritage tourism program. The THC responded with a program based on local, regional, and state partnerships, centered on the 10 scenic driving trails. These trails serve as the nucleus of 10 heritage regions and include heritage tourism attractions and communities both on and off the trail.

Calvert is on the Brazos Trail and was the host of the Texas Historical Commission’s Brazos Trail Region quarterly meeting on Tuesday, May 20. The City of Calvert was proud to roll out the red carpet for local historians from around the area to learn about how to promote their region to potential visitors, while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Around seventy guests visited the historic Eloia Theater to mix and mingle before their quarterly meeting. Representatives from as near as Hearne and Bryan as well as far as Austin and Elgin enjoyed the beautiful surroundings as well as the delicious coffee and muffins provided by Farmers to Market Coffee Shop. Volunteers from Calvert ISD were very helpful at getting everyone registered and ready to mingle as visitors filed into the lobby of the Eloia.

After the guests had a chance to visit with each other, the meeting began with big kudos to the local folks who had made the event a possibility. Jennifer Caudle and Bill Norton were given a huge round of applause as well as recognition for their tireless work preserving Calvert’s history as well as making the event happen. Caudle spent tireless hours planning and organizing the event, as well as working with Norton, Louise Grigsby and others to create a history display inside City Hall. The student volunteers, and their sponsor, Ms. Davis, were given a giant thank you from the crowd as well. Brenda Van De Walle was given a giant thank you for her work with Calvert Main Street Preservation, as well as for providing the fabulous coffee and snacks. Harold Maris, for providing such a unique event space, as Micheal Ellis for his help with setup.

After the morning meeting, the visitors were treated to a fabulous lunch provided by the 1868 Landmark and some time to explore the town. Some retail locations took advantage of the extra visitors and opened their doors for them to shop, eat and enjoy. The Calvert Historical Foundation were very pleased hosts to the historians in their town and hope to see them again, as tourists. Jennifer Caudle’s tireless efforts were well worth it in the end, as the visitors pledged to come back to visit Calvert.