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I’ve
often been surprised at the number of folks living in Texas
who have never paid a visit to a historic treasure located in Gonzales County.
The treasure that I am referring to is Pioneer Village; located just north of
Gonzales on Hwy. 183. Of course
it just might be that everyone isn’t all that wild about Texas
history, but I’ve always felt it’s a good thing to know where we come from
and something about our ancestors. Pioneer Village is a great place to visit and
get a sense of what our predecessors went through to settle in this place we call
Texas – in the late 1800s.
And it sure couldn’t
hurt for today’s young people to realize that many of the comforts and freedoms
that they currently enjoy came about because of the strength and determination
of their ancestors. Just a walk through “the village” should make us appreciate
and be grateful for all of today’s benefits. Benefits that surpass any those early
pioneers could have imagined.
Walking past the primitive log houses, cabins,
and barns at Pioneer Village makes one aware of how hard life really was in those
early days of Texas. One structure, the Greenwood
cabin, was built in the 1830s and is considered to be the oldest building in Gonzales
County. With its wooden planked roof and log walls, it is believed that this aged
building was once used as a slave cabin or sharecropper’s home. Observing the
huge cracks between the logs that make up the outside walls of this structure
should make anyone shudder at the thought of living here during a Texas
“blue norther.”
The visitor to Pioneer Village can witness the progress
made from the crude cabin to the more civilized abode such as that of Samuel Hardin
Gates. This old home obviously offered more comfort to its inhabitants and was
no doubt more weatherproof than the Greenwood cabin. Samuel Gates built his home
on land awarded to him for service during the event known as the Runaway
Scrape; when the Texas army under Sam
Houston was retreating from the Mexican army. Gates was a gunsmith, blacksmith,
and carpenter; his home reflects the handy work of a skilled craftsman and gives
the modern-day visitor an opportunity to view what was considered one of the more
elaborate-type homes of the 1850s.
Stepping inside the old Hamon Church,
built in the 1870s, will give the observer a look back at a place of worship from
another era. Visitors might even imagine the strong presence of the circuit-riding
preacher as he delivered his scathing sermon to the local folks. If the cypress
walls of this church could talk, they would no doubt tell of weddings, funerals,
and the christening of new babies. As a matter of fact, the old church is still
being used for weddings.
There is indeed much to see at Pioneer Village
and I’ve only mentioned several of the structures located there. Visitors to this
living history center can look forward to exploring ten different buildings on
the site, including a broom factory and blacksmith shop. During special events
held throughout the year, tourists and locals alike can enjoy observing re-enactors,
in period costume, performing the same chores that their ancestors did over 170
years ago.
According to the brochure, “The Pioneer Village Living History
Center is a non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving our past by saving
our historic buildings and pioneer way of life.” Efforts to preserve our heritage
are a benefit to anyone who wants to get in touch with their roots. And one walk
through the village will transport the visitor back to a time when having enough
to eat and a place of shelter were never taken for granted.
Volunteers
are always needed at Pioneer Village. If you would like to get involved in the
preservation of history and can lend a hand, give the village a call at (830)
672-2157 or visit their website for more information at: http://www.thepioneervillage.com/.
© Murray
Montgomery January
13, 2012 column
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