Live Oak County Historical Commission
Live Oak County Historical Commission

LOCHC  Archives

The LOCHC Archives are placed here to allow viewers to gain information from different events sponsored by the LOCHC in each year since 2012. The organization had been a stalwart and significant part of Live Oak County from the 1960's when the Texas Congress established these organizations under the auspices of the County Judge and Commissioners in each county in the state.

 

Reviving History:

 

Sometime during the nineteen eighties many original appointees designated each biennium by the County Judge and County Commissioners began to phase out as age crept upon them. Time had also changed as families more often consisted of two working spouses. 

 

Late in 2010, Betty Lyne, then LOCHC Chair, asked Richard Hudson if he would become the LOCHC Marker Chair. Hudson was born in Live Oak County but no longer lived in the county, yet he had a great interest in preserving the history of the county.

 

That same year, Arcadia Publishing which specializes in local histories presented in photo journalistic format asked Hudson to write a book about Live Oak County. The county with a population of about 12,000 at that time seemed a daunting challenge. The next two years, Hudson and his wife, Janis, visited almost a hundred homes of pioneer families.

 

By then a number of people were beginning to show interest in reviving the LOCHC. Though many said no to Hudson about becoming Chair, vibrant and talented Sue Denniston agreed to take on the demanding position.

 

The first meeting was advertised and set to meet at the George West Chamber of Commerce in the Buck West House. Of the group who came to the meeting, nine persons made application to the Live Oak County Commissioners' Court and became appointees. These included Mary Margaret Campbell, Sue Denniston, Roberta Dobie, Janis Hudson, Richard Hudson, Rena McWilliams, Leslie Walker, and Grace Wilson. Betty Lyne and James Warren were longstanding appointees already.

 

As the book had progressed, Hudson turned his focus toward subjects that would make the best topics for markers. Three Rivers was nearing its centennial year in 1913. The family who built the first house there had been active in almost area of growth since the father, James Cunningham, was editor of the first paper. Also, the forgotten Indian cemetery of Loma Sandia seemed a likely topic. Hudson made application with the Texas Historical Commission during their application window for these two.

 

Though some thirty years had passed with only one marker, the J Frank Dobie Marker, having been sponsored, the group decided that only these two should be sought in this first year. Plans began for celebrating those events, and more were sought to strengthen the organization. While markers are the permanent record of a place and its time, the group realized that they were a great springboard for sharing history with all the county.

 

The website was begun in 2014 and seeks to capture the endeavors of the LOCHC for posterity. Thank you for visiting our site.

Live Oak County Courthouse

The Honorable Jim Huff, 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 Huff 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: Donna Kopplin Mills

Precinct 3: Mitchell Williams

Precinct 4: Emilio Garza

The Commissioner's Court is committed to the preservation of our county's history. Judge Huff and your local commissioner welcome suggestions.

The Honorable Jim Huff, Live Oak County Judge.

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