Texas First Lady Anita Perry, acting as honorary chair, in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission (THC) is honoring communities that have shown a high level of creativity and ingenuity in recognizing and preserving their authentic Texas sense of place. These communities use the resources and preservation tools available from the THC and others to realize significant economic benefits as a result of their strong cultural and historic preservation stewardship. 

Texas Historical Commission Program Involvement (PDF)

Read more about the award in our press release.

Preservation Updates Since February 2010 Award:

• May 2011, “form-based” zoning approach adopted for downtown. Following through on its initiative to codify the goals of 2008’s downtown master plan, the San Marcos City Council voted to require the new code, a customized version of the widely-respected SmartCode model. This model regulates the form of buildings and public spaces more so than their use, as is the case in conventional zoning. The SmartCode customized for San Marcos will help the downtown area encourage walkable, mixed-use development in harmony with its historic character. To protect that character even more, at the recommendation of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission, the City will develop architectural standards for development around the historic courthouse square.  These changes create a predictable regulatory environment that is attractive to developers while ensuring that new development is sympathetic to the historic character of San Marcos.
  
  
• Official Texas Historical Markers, San Pedro Cemetery (completed May 2010), Cementerio del Rio (submitted November 2010, inscription pending), Southside School (submitted November 2010, inscription pending).
  
  
• Historic Preservation Awareness Event
  The 2010 inaugural event was held at the LBJ Museum in downtown San Marcos and included preservation commissioners, historic district residents, city staff, and the public for open discussion focused on the city's preservation vision.
  
  
• Cephas House in Dunbar Historic District
  San Marcos held a series of public meetings and focus groups regarding the rehabilitation of the Cephas House, located at 217 W. MLK Dr., in the Dunbar Historic District across from the Calaboose African-American History Museum. The structure is named for a previous owner, Ulysses Cephas, who was a prominent African American community leader in the first half of the 20th century. The city purchased the structure and will be using CDBG funds to rehabilitate the structure.
  
  
• Historic District Street Signage
  San Marcos Historic Preservation Commission worked with city engineers on design and a placement schedule of new street signs that include the names of the local historic districts.
  
  
• Historic Hays County Jail
  Hays County has begun rehabilitation of the old Hays County Jail across the street from the Cephas House, in the Dunbar District.

For questions regarding this community award, please contact April Garner at 512.463.2630.