Welcome to
Live Oak County
Historical Commission
Welcome 2024! What a wonderful year the Live Oak County Historical Commission and Live Oak County citizens had together this past year! We look forward to more amazing historical journeys about Live Oak County this year.
Live Oak County Judge James Liska and Nancy J. Coquat, Chairperson for Live Oak County Historical Commission (LOCHC), extend a hearty welcome to this website.
Live Oak County Historical Commission 2024 Meetings.
The first meeting of 2024 will be held on January 15, 2024 at 5:30 PM. LOCHC meeting locations will be announced soon. Future dates are:
April 15, 2024
July 15, 2024
October 21, 2024
Elected officers, committee chairs, and appointees for the 2023-2024 biennium are listed below.
2023-2024 appointees, officers, and chairpersons posted below.
2024 Officers and Committee Chairpersons
Nancy J. Coquat: LOCHC Chair
Bernadette Gibson: Vice-Chair
Robin McKinney: Secretary
Kitley Wasicek: Treasurer
Bernard Lemley: Cemetery Chair
Glynis Straus: Publicity Chair
Rodney Nance: Archeology Chair
Charlotte Schroeder: Hospitality Chair
2023-2024 Appointees (include above w voting privileges)
Drusanne Hunter
Lamar James
Peggy Skoruppa
Leslie Walker
Associate Appointees (Attendance and comments welcome but not required-no voting privilege)
Emeritus Appointees
Virginia Horton
Betty Lyne
Jim Warren
Ross Harris, past Chair of Live Oak County (2017-2020) Celebration of Life - Saturday, October 16, 2021.
There's a hole in our hearts! Live Oak County and the Live Oak County Historical Commission lost a remarkable leader and man on October 10, 2021.
Words fail at times like this. Among all his other contributions in this life, Ross shepherded the Live Oak County Historical Commission from 2017-2020. And what a shepherd he was! Photo courtesy Richard Hudson.
We are thankful for his indescribable gift of generous support emotionally, spiritually and financially to others! Ross Harris Memorial posted.
Richard Hudson, past Marker and Publicity Chair (2012-2021) Celebration of Life - October 30, 2021.
In 2008, Richard "Hud" Hudson was asked at The University of North Texas to research, write, and document a historical subject from his native home, Live Oak County. He and his wife, this webmaster, lived in Fort Worth, Texas. Yet because of his research, he was asked by acting Live Oak County Historical Commission (LOCHC) Chair to serve as marker chair for the LOCHC, then inactive.
Commissioned by Arcadia Publishing, the following year, Hud and his wife prepared a photographic journal of Live Oak County history. Families from between 80-100 homes shared archival photos which Hud scanned as we recorded their stories. During this time, Hud earnestly sought people and leaders who helped bring the once vibrant LOCHC back to life. This website was begun in 2014 to preserve LOC citizens' historically unique and unending contributions to our county, state, and nation. Hud refurbished and took photos as the website's tech ally and editor.
A revolving group of talented and devoted citizens appointed each two year period by Live Oak County Judge and Commissioner's Court devote tireless hours to preserving Live Oak's legacy for the past, present, and future. If words failed this webmaster at Ross's passing, hopefully current readers can understand that my heart hurts as I update this page.
The Live Oak County Website is a historical resource of the county's documented history. Use it and continue to enjoy Live Oak County. This website will be ready to resume sharing more wonderful stories in the near future.
Live Oak County Courthouse
The Honorable James Liska, County Judge for Live Oak County, welcomes you to the Live Oak County Historical Commission (LOCHC) Website. The Live Oak County Historical Commission is an arm of the Live Oak County Commissioners' Court; appointees are selected at the beginning of odd numbered years and serve two year terms. Judge Liska and the Live Oak County Commissioners support and approve actions of the LOCHC in coordination with the Texas Historical Commission (THC).
Live Oak County Commissioners:
Precinct 1: Richard Lee
Precinct 2: Randy Kopplin
Precinct 3: Mitchell Williams
Precinct 4: Lucio Morin
The Commissioner's Court is committed to the preservation of our county's history. Judge Liska and your local commissioner welcome suggestions.
The Honorable James Liska, Live Oak County Judge.
Tours, Time Capsule, and Exhibits inside newly restored Live Oak County Courthouse along with a Classic Car Show and more outside were just part of the celebration. December 4, 2021, Live Oak citizens, neighbors, and other interested people came together to celebrate.
Don Victoriano and Don Prisciliano Texas Historical Marker making its way to Live Oak County.
Don Victoriano and Don Prisciliano 2019 approved Texas Historical Marker to be delivered soon. Judge Jim Huff and the Live Oak County Commissioners' sanctioned marker placement on Live Oak County Courtyard along with existing J. Frank Dobie (L in photo and Don Prisciliano R.) and Thelma Pugh Lindholm markers. Ross Harris, past LOCHC Chair, sponsored the marker.
Don Victoriano and Don Prisciliano came to Live Oak County in 1870's. Amassed more than 8,000 acres. Chapa's story here. Photo permission from MICHENER CENTER for WRITERS.
First Baptist Church, George West, "Church with a Mission Heart", unveiled FBCGW Texas Historical Marker Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 PM. Pastor Bobby Hendrick, County Judge Jim Huff, and LOCHC Chair Mary Margaret Campbell along with the people who are FBCGW in joint effort with Live Oak County Historical Commission invited public including all past members. Photo courtesy Richard "Hud" Hudson.
Simmons, City Texas Historical Subject Marker application with1968 narrative destroys myths. Facts sometimes more interesting. Yet 4,200 sales, farms and ranches begun on 60,000+ acre ranch still thrive. Sturdy investor families and re-sale purchasers grow crops, provide recreational hunting, or raise cattle and horses. Continue vital part of present community and county. Photo here and below courtesy Lois Matkin.
"Simmons is Fascinating", 1974 San Antonio Express article serialized to share "fascinating" Dr. C.F. Simmons, his ranch, and farm and ranch community built in 1907. Known for "Affairs of Honor" (duels) and grandfather's "Simmons Liver Regulator" syrup making family millionaries. Iconic church stands in community of descendants and new comers from across the world. Follow Simmons' "fascinating" story narrated by Mrs. Mildred House for George Carmack with us from the above link.
Bone Lake - South Texas 1870's Deep Freeze. A beautiful lake acquired this forboding name after a historical Texas freeze. Read Sue Miller's short story about lake, now part of Lake Corpus Christi, and events that gave the lake notoriety. Photo courtesy of Gerard Miller, Jr. Esq.
Mary Margaret Campbell sworn in by Live Oak County Judge Jim Huff as new Live Oak County Historical Commission Chairman. Full story Feature Article-Mary Margaret Campbell Sworn in as new LOCHC Chair. Photo and story by Jeff Osborne.
Old Cox Stagecoach Stop ruins originally located near Lagarto to the Old Oakville Jailhouse Square on an Interstate 37 access between San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Story on Events Page.
1920-2020 Live Oak County Courthouse receives approval from Texas Historical Commission Staff and Board for 2020 honor as Recorded Texas Historic Landmark!
Honorable Jim Huff, County Judge for Live Oak County, Announces: Texas Historical Commission approves Live Oak County Recorded Texas Historic Landmark! Narrative at Live Oak County Courthouse Registered Texas Historic Landmark (1920-2020). Photo courtesy Richard Hudson.
George West Historic Texas Cemetery receives Texas Historical Commission Staff and Board approval for Historic Texas Cemetery Marker!
Glynis Strause, President of George West Cemetery Association, announces: George West Cemetery honored with Historic Texas Cemetery Marker approval in conjunction with previous Texas Historic Cemetery Designation. Narrative at George West Historic Texas Cemetery. Photo courtesy Richard Hudson.
Live Oak County Historical Commission exists to preserve the history and culture of Live Oak County Texas for all citizens past, present, future and all interested in the rich Ranch and Farm histories and cultures of Live Oak County.
Geronimo, famous international Longhorn icon, preserved since 1927 in George West, Texas.
Photo courtesy Mary Margaret Dougherty Campbell.
Geronimo, historic international Longhorn icon, observed by tourists as they pass through George West, Texas. Since 1927, Geronimo has stood within a glass corral on the courthouse lawn of Live Oak County's county seat. Known to be George West's (traildriver and rancher who founded the town) favorite lead steer.
Geronimo's image was preserved by West's nephew, Albert West, soon after the steer saw his last days. Geronimo's mount traveled as far as Moscow representing Texas in America's 1976 Bicentennial Exposition. Geronimo has been immortalized in books and movies and continues to exemplify the Longhorn and Cowboy mystique today. Though cattlemen and cattlewomen of the West feared Longhorn extinction at the time Geronimo was preserved, Texas Longhorn herds now live in countries across the world.
The Live Oak County Historical Commission (LOCHC) exists to preserve the rich heritage and cultures of Live Oak County and its part in historic preservation not only at home, but in the state of Texas and our nation. The Commission develops local programs and cooperates with other community organizations to encourage understanding and appreciation of Live Oak County's historical significance. Appointees apply and are approved by the Live Oak County Commissioners' Court. Meetings are held quarterly on the third Monday unless announced otherwise above. The public is invited. Each meeting begins at 5:30 PM and ends sometime soon after 7:00 PM.
In 2010 with the appointment of a Marker Chair, Richard Hudson, the LOCHC began efforts to revitalize the organization which had become dormant. By the end of that year, Judge Huff and the Commissioner's Court appointed Sue Dennistion (2010-2012) along with ten new appointees. First efforts were directed toward honoring historical persons, buildings, and events that deserved Texas Historic Markers which tell their stories for perpetuity.
Since 2010, the organiztion matured and meets quarterly. Successive appointed LOCHC Chairs are: Leslie Walkter (2013-2015), Ross Harris (2016-2019) and Mary Margaret Campbell (2020-present). Each Chair has requested THC appointment of Hudson as the continuing LOCHC Marker Chair. Officers are duly elected at each biennium by the appointees for that 2-year period beginning with even years.
Appointees have voting privileges and are required to attend at least 3 meeting each year. The revitalized LOCHC planted fifteen additional markers, one more (Victorio Chapa and Priscilliano Chapa - 2019) awaits shipment from the foundry. Two more (Live Oak County Courthouse and George West Historic Texas Cemetery - 2020) approved by the THC Board await final text authorization by THC. Yet another approved by the 2021 THC Staff awaits approval from THC Board, fiinal text and title approval, before foundry service. This will bring the total LOCHC Texas Historical Markers to 42. Still others are in queue for the next few succeeding years .
The narratives for all Texas Historical Markers approved by the THC Board since 2012 can be found on this website under Texas Historic Markers. Unfortunately, previous marker narrative histories had not been passed down through the years. THC has now provided these histories to the webmaster, and this website is providing them as time allows since most of those are either written by hand or old typewriters which do not reproduce readable form.
Archeology, Cemetery, Education, Oral History, Publicity, and Website chairs have active committees and continue historical recognition in numerous county and state events. These include: appropriate relocation of Patrick Allen Randel (Narcotic Agent felled in 1974) monument, Wreaths Across Amerca, Historic Texas Cemetery Designation, reconstructing Geronimo Memorial Site, Chisholm Trail Celebration, Visit to J. Frank Dobie original ranch, and numerous others.
The THC requests each biennium appointment be finalized in the early months of a new biennium. Applications have now been received for the 2023-2024 biennium. Please consider obtaining an application from Judge Jim Huff's office in the courthouse on Houston Street in George West, Texas when open application period is announced by the Court in late 2024.
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