SHARING THE PAST
Not all the pioneers of Boerne and Kendall County were German immigrants.
“British Invasion” might have been the headline had the newspapers of the day crystalized the steady influence of early Boerne-area resident William Kingsbury, who ranched and farmed less than one mile south of Cibolo Creek on land he obtained in 1853.
An advocate for English immigration into Texas, Kingsbury’s promotional exuberance is shown in an excerpt from a 53-page pamphlet, that was released in 1877: “There is a flexibility of joints, lightness of limbs and buoyancy of spirit in both old and young in Texas, not observable here (in England); schoolboys turn somersaults, young men perform astonishing feats of horsemanship and old men of 60 to 70 years, think nothing of mounting a horse and riding 40 miles a day.”
Similar to the German settlers, the English brought their own customs, recreational activities such as polo, and farming/ranching practices to Kendall County.
At the center of its universe, one of the English emigrants responding to the siren call to Texas was 18-year-old William George “Willie” Hughes, who arrived in 1878 and obtained his first parcel of Kendall County land in 1879.
From his homestead a few miles southwest of Boerne, Willie Hughes acquired additional land, livestock expertise in breeding sheep, cattle, goats and horses, and a flair for the entrepreneurial.
On that initial plot, Hughes built his 1888 ranch house and in 1890 he established the Hastings Post Office, named in honor of his father, and was its first postmaster. It was located beside the “Boerne-Bandera Road” between the Boerne and the Pipe Creek post offices and served 60 customers.
Additionally, he deeded 0.9 acres for the1898 Hastings schoolhouse, just 200 yards from his ranch house. He engaged in both ranching and real estate enterprises. Hughes and his two brothers formed a partnership to increase their holdings and purchased 13,511 acres and sold 6,671 acres over the next 20 years.
Hughes stood out among the English settlers in the Hastings community due to his many civic endeavors and business ventures. Had his life not been cut short due to his tragic death on Nov. 25, 1902, at age 43, his accomplishments would have been even more impressive. Willie Hughes established a significant presence in our German-infused region and he in turn promoted our region and Boerne.
The Hughes ranch house still stands today and is located off of State 46 West on Maytum Pass. In 2018, a Texas Historical Commission Historical marker was dedicated at this site, honoring Hughes and the Hastings community.
To see the marker, head west out of Boerne on State 46. Just over 1.5 miles past Home Depot, make a lefthand turn onto Maytum Pass (the Maytum Pass Road sign is hard to see, so slow down). Park your car along Maytum Pass.
Bryden Moon is the Kendall County Historical Commission historical marker chair.
Comment
Comments