Historic Resource Surveys in Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties

Historic Resources Surveys of Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties

In March 2019, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) received a grant from the National Park Service’s Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund to address the consequences of Hurricane Harvey on historic properties. To further our mission of protecting and preserving the state’s historic resources for the use, education, enjoyment, and economic benefit of present and future generations, THC, though our primary contractor Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT), is preparing to conduct historic resources surveys of Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties. These counties were identified based on the lack of existing historic resource surveys, the likelihood of finding historic properties, and the threat of future hurricanes. The goal of this project is to develop a historic context and to identify historically significant properties, neighborhoods, and communities. Such surveys can be indispensable to raise a community’s awareness of its cultural heritage, create a lasting record of a community’s history, recognize those properties with potential for historic designation, and ensure historic resources are taken into account when federal agencies consider the impacts of their undertakings on the natural and human environment.

The THC is pleased to share that the draft reports for Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties are complete and are now available to share. The purpose of this survey is to document existing historic-age (45 year or older) buildings, structures, and significant landscape and infrastructure features. Architectural historians have travelled the county photographing and documenting historic resources from the public right-of-way, recording information such as materials, function, and integrity.

You are invited to download the reports and share any questions or comments that you may have with the project team at ESHPF_survey@thc.texas.gov or contact Justin Kockritz at justin.kockritz@thc.texas.gov or 512-936-7403 by Friday, June 9th. The final reports will be completed in July and published on the THC website this summer.

Aransas County

In total, 2,109 historic-age resources in Aransas County were documented and evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility; 28 properties and 1 historic district, the Oak and Pine Avenues Historic District, are recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP.

• DRAFT Aransas County Historic Resources Survey Report
• Appendix A: Report Tables
• Appendix B: Survey Forms for Current NRHP Listings
• Appendix C: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended NRHP-Eligible
• Appendix D: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended Not NRHP-Eligible
  • Part 1 (48.5 MB)
  • Part 2 (45.5 MB)
  • Part 3 (46.9 MB)
  • Part 4 (42.3 MB)
  • Part 5 (41.1 MB)
  • Part 6 (30.4 MB)
  • Part 7 (39.6 MB)
  • Part 8 (29.7 MB)

• Appendix E: Survey Forms for Proposed Oak and Pine Avenues Historic District

The initial Aransas County public meeting was held virtually on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. If you are interested in the survey but were not able to participate in the meeting, you can download the presentation and you can submit any comments or questions via email at ESHPF_Survey@thc.texas.gov.

Calhoun County

In total, 2,973 historic-age resources in Calhoun County were documented and evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility; 40 properties and 2 historic districts, the Downtown Port Lavaca and Lynnhaven Historic Districts, are recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP.

• DRAFT Calhoun County Historic Resources Survey Report
• Appendix A: Report Tables
• Appendix B: Survey Forms for Current NRHP Listings
• Appendix C: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended NRHP-Eligible
• Appendix D: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended Not NRHP-Eligible
  • Part 1 (45.0 MB)
  • Part 2 (47.3 MB)
  • Part 3 (43.6 MB)
  • Part 4 (45.9 MB)
  • Part 5 (46.1 MB)
  • Part 6 (43.0 MB)
  • Part 7 (42.6 MB)
  • Part 8 (42.1 MB)
  • Part 9 (39.9 MB)
  • Part 10 (40.7 MB)
  • Part 11 (45.6 MB)
  • Part 12 (48.6 MB)
  • Part 13 (41.3 MB)
  • Part 14 (42.3 MB)
  • Part 15 (26.8 MB)
  • Part 16 (24.1 MB)
• Appendix E: Survey Forms for Proposed Historic Districts
• Appendix F: Post-WWII Neighborhoods
• Appendix G: Survey Forms for Sites and Objects
• Appendix H: Survey Forms for Industrial Sites
• Appendix I: Survey Forms for Potentially Eligible Properties

The initial Calhoun County public meeting was held virtually on Thursday, June 24, 2021. If you are interested in the survey but were not able to participate in the meeting, you can download the presentation and you can submit any comments or questions via email at ESHPF_Survey@thc.texas.gov.

Refugio County

In total, 1,645 historic-age resources in Refugio County were documented and evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility; 25 properties and 1 historic district, the Hotel Tivoli Historic District, are recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP.

• DRAFT Refugio Historic Resources Survey Report
• Appendix A: Report Tables
• Appendix B: Survey Forms for Current NRHP Listings
• Appendix C: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended NRHP-Eligible
• Appendix D: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended Not NRHP-Eligible
  • Part 1 (37.3 MB)
  • Part 2 (63.2 MB)
  • Part 3 (63.3 MB)
  • Part 4 (65.5 MB)
  • Part 5 (63.3 MB)
  • Part 6 (67.9 MB)
  • Part 7 (65.6 MB)
  • Part 8 (54.1 MB)

• Appendix E: Survey Forms for Proposed Hotel Tivoli Historic District

The initial Refugio County public meeting was held virtually on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. If you are interested in the survey but were not able to participate in the meeting, you can download the presentation and you can submit any comments or questions via email at ESHPF_Survey@thc.texas.gov.