Thomas Jefferson Gazley settled on his 4,428 acre Mexican Headright Land Grant in 1827 as a member of Stephen F. Austin’s early frontier settlers. Doctor Gazley built the first home and later opened the first store in this area. He was active in the affairs of the new settlers and was appointed to responsible positions by the prevailing Mexican government. He sought independence for the settlers, helped draft the Constitution, helped write and signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in three of the battles in the War for Independence, and served as a Representative in the Second Congress of the Republic of Texas. Upon returning home to his hamlet which locals called Gazley Prairie, he established a riverboat landing for the cotton hauling steamboat Kate Ward. On October 31, 1853, he expired and was buried in nearby Gazley Cemetery. In 1937, in recognition of his contributions to Texas, his body was exhumed and re-interred in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. Read more about him and other famous, historic Smithville people at David Herrington's website. Independence Park is under development now. If you are interested in this project and want more information or would like to volunteer, please contact Jill Strube at 512 237 3282 x 2109.
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The Lost Pines Artisans Alliance (LPAA) is taking the lead on the 2013 Smithville application to become a designated Cultural District through the Texas Commission on the Arts. Please join us at the public meeting on Tuesday, May 21 at 5:30PM. The meeting will take place at the LPAA Mary Nichols Art Center and Gallery at 301 Burleson. You can also take the online survey (click on this blog's title to get to the survey). For more information, please contact Jill Strube at 512 237 3282 x 2109.
Did you see Smithville's Veterans Memorial Park in the news? KXAN featured the Park in its segment on the 10 year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Preliminary drawings are on display at City Hall and will be discussed at the January 24 Safe Routes to School meeting. The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at Mary A. Brown Primary School. Please join us!
The 2nd Summit Smithville Expo is right around the corner. Please join us to find out more about what you can do to help make your garden, home, ranch, and business greener. Main Street, Smithville. 10AM to 4PM. Speakers, exhibitors, demonstrations... Something for everyone.
Many thanks to all the people who volunteered their time, who contributed funds, and who generally made the December 8th fundraiser for Blue Santa and the Veterans Memorial Park a great success.
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