Atascosa County Historical Commission

10/01/2026

On Friday October 9, 2026 at 10 am, we will celebrate with Gracie’s Beauty Salon.

This local business, opened in 1974 will join a group of elite businesses in the county as a Texas Treasure Business!

This celebration of Mrs. Arguijo’s accomplishment is open to the public for the community to share this milestone with Gracie and the Family!

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

09/22/2026

09/20/2026

Yesterday, the City of Lytle celebrated the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Lytle. To honor the event, ACHC Members David Emery and Laura Zuhlke interviewed descendants of Captain John T. Lytle.

Captain John T. Lytle donated land to create a new city. In 1883, Lytle consisted of a general store, a bar, and a casketmaker named W. J. Garnand, who also became the first postmaster.

Captain Lytle was also credited with the development of the Great Western Cattle Trail that drove livestock from Mexico through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, the Dakotas and stretched as far north as Montana.

Martin Gonzales
ACHC Chair

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

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

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

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

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

08/02/2026

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

Martin Gonzales