Atascosa County Historical Commission

Atascosa County Historical Commission County History County Historical Commission
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Today we remember the Battle of Medina which occurred on August 18, 1813. For years, the battle site had been lost to hi...
08/18/2026

Today we remember the Battle of Medina which occurred on August 18, 1813. For years, the battle site had been lost to history. To this day, there is much debate about the location of the battle site, until 2023.

This is when countless hours of detailed map research and metal detecting paid off. With the help of Dr Todd Ahlman with Texas State University, select artifacts were tested and confirmed as Battle of Medina related.

As of this date, we have excavated 148 artifacts including lead shot, lead balls, accoutrements, buttons and related material. These items were collected from a site with the most concentrated volume of artifacts on a single site.

We do know that this was a running battle. How far and where did this site start or end? We don’t know that yet. Hopefully, with help from local landowners we will one day have this Battle that impacted World History mapped out.

Altogether, leading the ACHC as these discoveries unfold, has been one of the most exciting projects I have undertaken.

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

Mrs Hilda Saenz sent in this photo labeled ‘Jourdanton Ward School’. The back of the photo also identifies Eluteria Garz...
08/11/2026

Mrs Hilda Saenz sent in this photo labeled ‘Jourdanton Ward School’. The back of the photo also identifies Eluteria Garza (Hilda Saenz’s aunt) being in the second grade in this photo.

The year is unknown but Hilda assumes it’s the early 1930’s. Eluteria is the 6th student from the left in the back full row with her face partially obscured.

What a great photo! Thank you Mrs. Saenz.

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

Another great photo of the 1956 Atascosa County Centennial ! This one was sent by Patti Brite Taylor. In the photo are: ...
08/08/2026

Another great photo of the 1956 Atascosa County Centennial ! This one was sent by Patti Brite Taylor.
In the photo are: Taylor Brite, Frances Brite, and 3 year old Gary.

Taylor Brite served as Judge of the 81st Judicial District in South Texas from 1977-1985. Upon his retirement from that Court, he served as a Senior District Judge for the State of Texas, presiding over many trials in numerous counties across the State. Taylor was a veteran of WWII, while serving in the Army Air Corp. He was also President of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association.

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

We are happy to announce our Keynote Speaker during the Annual Battle of Medina Symposium Opening Ceremonies will be Dr....
08/05/2026

We are happy to announce our Keynote Speaker during the Annual Battle of Medina Symposium Opening Ceremonies will be Dr. Todd Ahlman.
Dr Ahlman is the Director of the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos.
The Battle of Medina artifacts were confirmed as such by Dr Ahlman’s research and analysis.
We look forward to hearing from Dr Ahlman. We are thankful for his contributions to this long lost battle.

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

Some pictures are just too good not to share. Bonny Ridgway Badour provided these photos. The photo on the left is from ...
08/05/2026

Some pictures are just too good not to share. Bonny Ridgway Badour provided these photos.

The photo on the left is from the Atascosa County Centennial Celebration in October, 1956. There was a pioneer dress up day. In the photo is Steve and Genne Ridgway (back row) and Bonny Ridgway Badour and Sue Ridgway standing in front of their parents.

In the photo on the right is Bonny’s Granddaughter Ryann Schimelpfening, daughter of Tom Schimelpfening and Johnna Schorsch. The dress she is wearing is the exact dress that Genne is wearing from 1956.

Thank you Bonny for sharing your family history with us !

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

It’s Saturday night; What year is it and what are you listening to on KBOP ? Martin Gonzales
08/02/2026

It’s Saturday night; What year is it and what are you listening to on KBOP ?

Martin Gonzales

Mrs. Diana Martinez provided this great photo of her mother Aurora “Dora” Martinez as a child during completion of her F...
08/01/2026

Mrs. Diana Martinez provided this great photo of her mother Aurora “Dora” Martinez as a child during completion of her First Communion. The date and location of the photo are unknown.

Most of us will remember Dora from her days as the co-proprietor of TV & Dora’s Cafe in Poteet.

Thank you Diana for the photo and for your contributions to local history !

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

Our annual Opening Ceremony will once again be held with the tone of remembrance and commemoration. We do this each year...
07/28/2026

Our annual Opening Ceremony will once again be held with the tone of remembrance and commemoration.
We do this each year to remember those who fought and those who died. We do this to keep their memory alive. We don’t want this battle to become lost to history again.

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

Good morning,Here are the confirmed exhibitors for this year’s Battle of Medina Symposium. They’ll be available from 8:3...
07/27/2026

Good morning,

Here are the confirmed exhibitors for this year’s Battle of Medina Symposium.

They’ll be available from 8:30 am- 2:00 pm in the main Historical Commission Building at the Lonnie Gillespie Memorial Annex, 25 E 5th St, Leming, Texas.

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

These photos are part of the ACHC Collection. The back of the photos just identify them as being from the Campbellton Sc...
07/24/2026

These photos are part of the ACHC Collection. The back of the photos just identify them as being from the Campbellton School. The year is unknown.

Regardless, these are great photos !

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

Address

25 5th Street
Leming, TX
78050

Telephone

+18304802741

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