About Live Oak County Historical Commission (LOCHC)
The Live Oak County Historical Commission (LOCHC) is a subsidiary organization of the Live Oak County, Texas Commissioners' Court and County Judge Jim Huff. The
LOCHC seeks to preserve our county's history. Volunteers apply and are appointed by the Live Oak County Commissioner's Court for service in a two year biennium. The organization is guided at the
state level by The Texas Historical Commission (THC). Appointees come from all walks of life. They work together to jointly improve Live Oak County's historical preservation.
The main goal of Live Oak County Historical Commission is to maintain a sense of community for people who live and work here, those connected to us by history, and people around the world who share
common history, goals, and values. We believe that an increased knowledge of our local history leads to greater cultural, educational, and social understanding for a better
world.
Live Oak County Historical Commission Projects:
Commission appointees' efforts to sustain historic preservation include numerous national, state, and locally initiated programs. Historical Education is ongoing and embedded in each of the projects below. Projects are listed alphabetically as all are equally important.
Archeological Preservation:
Archeological Preservation is vital to keeping history alive. Preserving endangered historic structures or sites is often laborious, tedious, and expensive, requiring knowledge and skill. All too often historic sites are destroyed through lack of information or misinformation about where they are and how to care for them. LOCHC appointee's work in conjunction with Texas Historical Commission's Archeology Division to protect, and preserve Texas' irreplaceable archeological heritage. Watch this site for information regarding local efforts or contact the LOCHC Archeology Chair, Jim Warren, if you have suggestions, donations, or wish to help.
Education Projects:
Texas History Education is an all emcompassing lifetime, toddler to elder, project. Children, students, and adults of all ages are encouraged to seek and share knowledge of how individuals, events, resources, and issues shape our county, state, nation, and world. The goal of the education project is to provide incentive learning opportunities to analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts. The final goal is for all to understand the importance of effective participation and leadership in a democratic society. The LOCHC Education Chair is presently vacant. This position needs a local person who is constantly looking for opportunities and volunteers who can help inform and educate the public about how the knowledge of history informs our lives.
Historic Texas Cemetery Designation:
Historic Texas Cemetery Designation is a statewide THC initiative carried out through local county historical commissions. Bernard Lemley, LOCHC Cemetery Chair, welcomes opportunities to help those interested in having Historic Texas Cemetery Designation for their cemetery. Cemetery associations, descendants of those interred in a cemetery, or interested persons may obtain information from LOCHC Cemetery Chair, Bernard Lemley, LOCHC appointees, or viewers may go to the THC Historic Texas Cemetery Designation (HTC) link provided at the beginning of this paragrah.
Historic Texas Cemetery Designation is awarded to cemeteries more than 50 years old with historical significance. Designation requires recorded deeds, maps, neighboring property notification, photos, and a meager history. Designation is authorized by the THC Cemetery Program. Designation is ongoing year-round.
Historic Texas Cemetery Designation is a separate process from the Texas Historic Marker process. Once Historic Designation is awarded, the HTC Medallion ar Medallion with name plate may be acquired. An HTC Marker is also available once HTC Designation is awarded and may be applied for through the separate Texas Historic Marker process below.
An HTC Medallion shows that the cemetery is an official Historic Texas Cemetery. An additional nameplate shows the name of the cemetery and its date of origination.
An HTC Name Plate shows the Cemetery name and its date of origin.
An HTC Marker has the HTC Medallion as its crest and shares interpretive narration including historic names of individuals, organizations, and/or events associated with the cemetery. It may be applied for through the LOCHC Marker Chair, Richard Hudson. See Texas Historical Marker information below.
LOCHC Cemetery Chair, Bernard Lemley, is available to help cemeteries in Live Oak County receive designation even though process is arduous and takes much time and effort. Once all required information is sent to the THC, expect a three month turn around.
Oral History Project:
Oral History is an important part of preserving our local, state, national, and international culture and history. As stated on this website, "The real record of history is found in lives of ordinary people who lived it. Collecting, preserving and sharing oral histories not only transmits knowledge from one generation to the next, it enhances our understanding of the past by illuminating personal experience."
Oral histories are presented in programs locally at the Dobie West Perrforming Arts Theatre and annual Dobie Dichos Celebration, and at other state and national venues. Local people who currently live in Live Oak County or who once lived here are encouraged to visit with Oral History Chair, Glynis Strause, to see how they can be involved in this ongoing effort.
Texas State Historical Markers:
Texas State Historical Markers regarding persons, sites, organizations, and events stand on our highways and in our towns as permanent historical records protected by state law. Registered Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs) are markers also protected by state law to preserve exterior integrity of historic structures. Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) markers commemorate our local, state, and national cemeteries. Subject markers commemorate individuals, organizations, places, and events.
The THC has strict qualifications for approving subject and sites as worthy of a Texas Historic Marker. Hudson keeps abreast of recent changes to THC required formats and details. Secondly, THC Staff is limited to a maximum number sometime fluctuating based on the current THC Board stipulations. The number is most often about 180 markers for this state of 224 counties. Every county does not apply, and not every application is approved by the staff and then the Board. LOCHC limits applications meeting all the qualifications to two a year as that is the most THC has granted us since 2010. Therefore, a waiting queue based on time of completed requests exists and is filled for the next three years. New applicants are placed in queue based on application completion date of meeting requirements.
Individuals, families or organizations seeking local state historical markers may contact LOCHC Marker Chair, Richard Hudson. Forms are located at the Texas Historical Commission's site. Approval for all markers begins at the county level but rests upon state THC final board approval. Typically the Marker Chair, committee, and sponsor spend months in preparation. The LOCHC Marker Chair, Richard Hudson, then forwards marker applications during the THC application period between March 1 and May 15 for markers to be approved by the THC and installed the following year or more as explained in the HTC marker process above.
Live Oak County Historical Commission Website:
Live Oak County Historical Commission's website is here to share past, present, and upcoming information about the LOCHC. Webmaster, Janis Hudson, welcomes your comments and participation. Share information from these pages with family and friends. Like us on FaceBook and any other social media you enjoy.
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