Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas

SMALL TOWN HISTORY: Hondo, Texas

Crystal Medina Fall 2001
History 1302 Hines

 

HONDO, TEXAS

 

ORIGINS:

Hondo was founded in 1689 during a Spanish expedition. It was commander Alonso De Leon that gave the name to Hondo that year in April. It wasn't until the mid-1840's when Henri Castro brought over the first people that made the first settlements in the town. Later on after this families from the U.S. and east Texas moved to Medina County, Hondo or around the area. Most people settled down where there were permanent waterholes.The names of some of the people that first moved to Hondo or the surrounding areas were Harper, Boone, Mc Lamor, Bailey, Tomerlin, Burnett, Tilley, Robbins, King, Heath, Lacey, Smith, Tinsely, and Bowman.

The town is located on U.S. Highway 90 and the Southern Pacific Railroad. The railway was built in 1881 and went through Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio. An interview with a man who owned a historical house told me that the first man that lived in the house was a stagecoach owner but went out of business when the railroad came through. He moved and worked with D'Hanis brick company. After World War I and the automobile was invented, the passenger train service dropped almost to zero by the 1940's. Finally, on June 8, 1958 the service was abandoned. But the train still goes through the town.

In 1891 the ownership of the county seat was taken to court. Castroville and Hondo were the ones debating over it. The development of Hondo was postponed until the decision was made of the county seat. It wasn't until August 27,1892 that Hondo won and now was the county seat of Medina, County. The courthouse was finally built and Hondo was rapidly became a trade and shipping center for agriculture and ranching. The town incorporated August 18, 1893. But the incorporation died after two tries of getting it back in 1926 and 1930.

HONDO AIRBASE:

People in Hondo believe that if the railroad gave life to the town but the airbase actually put the town on the map. During World War II it is known that it was a matter of life or death for a young apprentice to know Hondo's location. The Airbase was built in 90 days. It started construction on April 1942 and finished in July of that year. From then until 1945 there were 14,158 navigators that had already learned their craft. This was the largest navigation school in the world.

After the war ended, the base closed in August 1945. Most of the buildings were sold as war surplus property. The base had civilian operators like Hollaway's flying school for GI-Bill students. During the Korean Conflict the military returned in 1951. But on June 30,1958 the Air Force orderded the base to close. In April of 1973 the base opened up once more but this time it was for the Air Force Flight screening program. Not only were there U.S. Air Force but also foreign students.

SPORTS HISTORY:

On May 27, 1903 one of the two first baseball games recorded was played on this date. It was between Hondo and Sabinal but unfortunately the score was not recorded. The other game recorded was also a baseball game and it was between Hondo and D'Hanis. Hondo won 12-2 that day. A lot of baseball was played after this year and some of the names remembered were Bradley, Richter, Miller, Hawkins, Merriman, Finger, Collier, Bill Ney, Ed Ney, Stone, E. Ernest, C. Ernest, Peters, Blocker, Cameron, O. Taylor, and Jake Miller.

The first football game played was between Hondo High School students and some men of the town on October 26, 1912. The game was won by the town men and the score was 27 to 0. When Hondo played against Uvalde for the first time they lost with the score of 25 to 7. The first touchdown ever scored by Hondo was caught by Clarence Van Fleet and thrown by Bill Windrow. Some coaches of the football teams were Earl Starnes, Fred Erney, Pete Locklin, Rufus Ransome, and Mr. Guy T. Newton. Charles Gilliam was the first Hondo boy to ever play football on a college team. This boy lettered at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1913 and 1914 as drop kicker and a tackle. He was also a heavyweight boxing champion on the East Coast. Later on in his life he bacame a Captain in the U.S. Navy.

Johnny "Hondo" Crouch was known as owner, Clown Prince, and self-appointed mayor. Before all that he was known for his natural swimming abilities. This is how he received his nickname "Hondo". This boy won one of the first All American titles at the University of Texas in 1938, also seven Southwest Conference champions as well as the Captain of the UT swim team in 1939. For 15 years he taught swimming to boys at Campos Rio Vista, Longhorn, and Champions. Johnny was also president of the Hall of Fame at Texas University.

ST. JOHNS THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH:

After Hondo became the county seat, Father Mattias Metzinger, the assistant pastor of D'Hanis, built St. John's Catholic Church in 1892. The first baptism ever held there was Lawrence Earl Patterson, the son of William and Josephine Patterson on December 8th. The next year a Catholic school was started by the Sisters of Divine Providence from Castroville. The school only lasted a short time because of the diptheria epidemic in the area during 1894 but in 1920 the school re-opened in the old rectory. In 1924, the sisters of the Holy Ghost established a school under their gudiance. It operated until 1972 and then was shut down. Father J.J. Meyers was the first resident of Hondo. He commuted from D'Hanis by horse and buggy.

In 1968 the Parish Hall was razed to make way for the new church. On December 8th the church was blessed at noon. On September 21, 1969 the new church was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Stephen Leven. The paid-off note on the new church was burned while parishoners looked on.

HONDO PUBLIC LIBRARY:

In June of 1966 19 people met from Hondo, Devine, and Castroville with the Medina county commisioners all wanting a library in each town. After this meeting there were more monthly meetings in Hondo concerning the library. All the planning and hard work finally became a dream come true on January 27, 1967 when Mayor Jerome H. Decker issued an official proclamation in support of the library. The library became a department of Hondo. The library became a rapid success and has grown greatly. For example, at the start of the library there were only 2,060 books and now there are over 16,870 books.

The citizens of Medina County ask themselves why they need a public library and the answer that is simply given is to provide pleasure of everyday life and improve someone's education. Since 1976 they have added new equipment that supports the answer to the question. Some of the new equipment consists of film projector, filmstrip projector and microfiche reader. The library is expected to continue to grow in the years ahead.

HONDO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT:

Protection from fire began on July 2, 1909 when 14 men met at the courthouse and organized themselves as the Hondo Volunteer Fire Department. Some of the first members wer J.D. Brown, Guy Morgan, and Hugh Woods. The first fire department was built in 1910 in 15 days for only $184.50. Several times the fire department has been enlarged.

In 1922 the department bought the first fire truck which was a four-cylinder Reo. Later, the Reo was turned into a chemical tank truck. Most of the trucks were made by M. L. Mechler. The department has always kept up-to-date with the equipment needed and ready for service. One of the well-remembered members from the fire department is C.J. Bless who served as Active Fire Chief until his death in 1944.

Hondo is a very organized town as well as sweet and simple. Like all towns they have had their ups and downs but as community and family they have been able to get back on their feet. It is hard not to want to be a part of this friendly community. They are like role models to surrounding towns. It is amazing learning their history and makes me want to visit the town more and more. I really had fun interacting with some of the towns people for that short time.

INTERVIEW WITH TONY ON HIS HISTORICAL HOUSE

Crystal: Hi my name is Crystal and I wanted to know if it would be okay if I took a picture of your house. I noticed it has a historical plaque on it.

Tony: Sure go ahead.

Crystal: Thanks.

Tony: We just recently moved in about a month ago.

Crystal: How do you like the house so far?

Tony: Its really nice. Would you like to go inside and take a look?

Crystal: Are you sure I don't want to interrupt anybody?

Tony: No, its okay.

Crystal: Okay.

Tony: This house was built over 100 years ago.

Crystal: Its pretty old.

Tony: Yes it is. My landlord told me the man that built this house and first lived in owned the Stagecoach. But when the railroad moved in he lost his business. So he moved and started working with D'Hanis the brick company.

Crystal: Wow!

Tony: After that happened this place is where they had Mason meetings in the upstairs room.

Crystal: Cool.

Tony: Would you like to go and see it? You can even take a picture of it.

Crystal: Sure.

Tony: This staircase is all original and the designs on it are all hand carved.

Crystal: This is amazing.

Tony: And this is the room they had their meetings in.

Crystal: It's really small.

Tony: It's amazing knowing they all gathered in here for meetings.

Crystal: Ya and then with no central air it must have been hot.

Tony: Well go ahead and take a picture of it and take a picture of the staircase.

Crystal: Okay.

Tony: I'm sorry I can't tell you much more.

Crystal: That's okay, just these pictures and information is enough.

Tony: Well your welcome back anytime.

Crystal: Thank you so much. I really appreciate your time and effort.

WEBSITES:
Hondo From the Texas Handbook
History of Hondo

 

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Bragg Pecans helped to understand a little better about what is one thing grown in Hondo.

Gary, from Gary's Antiques, was of help by explaining that at the beginning of Hondo there was segregation and directed me to the different cemeteries there were.

Hondo Independent School District helped on describing the mission or purpose for the district.

The History of Medina County, Texas was the best help of all. It gave me more than enough information I needed to know about the history of Hondo.

The New Handbook of Texas, vol.3 was a great deal of help though it did repeat some the stuff I had already read or heard about.

Tony, who owns a historical house in Hondo on Ave. K and 16th street was also a great deal of help by showing me the outside as well as the inside of his home and giving some history about it.

 

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