Historical Society of Leon Valle

	Leon Valley Historical Society


	Bloomin' Onion Fundraiser Oct, 2002		Bloomin' Onion Fundraiser Oct, 2002		Bloomin' Onion Fundraiser Oct, 2002

Fundraising Purpose

We have come a long way, but we still have far to go. The Leon Valley Historical Society is currently seeking major grant funding to see the Huebner-Onion Homestead and Stagecoach Stop through to completion. We need an additional $500,000 to complete the Homestead restoration to open our doors to the public as a living history museum and education center for heritage, cultural and education tours and “hands-on” history.

Leon Valley Huebner-Onion Natural Area
Additional funding is being sought to prepare the 36-acre Leon Valley Huebner-Onion Natural Area for outdoor classrooms and self-guided nature tours relating to the wildlife, birds, native plant species and butterfly habitats within that area. We now have permanent status as a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization and contributions are tax deductible.

The society submitted and received a $1,500 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife to be used to set-up outdoor classroom activities and events. Watch our calendar of events for more information or call Darby Riley at (210)


	Bluegrass Deco-Dinner Fundraiser Nov, 2003		Bluegrass Deco-Dinner Fundraiser Nov, 2003		Bluegrass Deco-Dinner Fundraiser Nov, 2003

Fundraising Events

A Benefit for Historic Huebner-Onion Homestead
8th Annual BLOOMIN' ONION & BLUEGRASS DINNER

Doors open 6:30-Dinner-7PM-music 7PM-11Pm
Friday, October 24, 2008

Leon Valley Community Center
6427 Evers Road
San Antonio, Texas 78238

Cost per person: $35.00 - Limited seating
Call 684-8586 or 684-0885 for tickets

Proceeds used to restore the house and grounds

MUSIC BY
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Wonderful Bluegrass Music

Dinner catered by
OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE-LEON VALLEY

Bloomin" Onion
Grilled on the Barbie-6oz. Sirloin
& 5 oz. chicken Breast
Caesar Salad & Aussie Rice
Beverage & Dessert


	Bloomin' Onion Fundraiser Oct, 2004		Bloomin' Onion Fundraiser Oct, 2004		Bloomin' Onion Fundraiser Oct, 2004

Fundraising Efforts

History

The estimated restoration costs to date is $600,000 to complete site. Site includes; two-story limestone homestead with 2-foot walls (presently restored to a "mothball" status with removal of fire damaged areas, cleaning inside and out of structure, including the walls prior to roof), stabilizing, and restoring of some of the mortar points in back and on sides of the structure), detached limestone "cookhouse" (presently restored to a ruin state) and a rare "stacked" stone barn, "restored."

The list is long for what is needed at the homestead. First to work with CPS and electrician to get an electrical connection for safety and security of the site.

Then, to answer the call by supporters for the two-story veranda or 2-story front porch to be back as it was in the 1800's and later redone by the Onion family. This will require limestone wall repair work to be ready for the verandah.

The cost has run over $135,000 to date and we are finished with Stage 2 of the restoration. All was made possible with our past grants from San Antonio Conservation Society, Texas Historic Trust to monies raised to donations by individuals, supporters, fundraiser's and memorial gifts.

The society received a Challenge "matching" $10,000 grant this past month. This grant is to assist the society in cost of new site Master Plan and architects. This grant was awarded by the San Antonio Conservation Society this past month.

Well known local architect Carolyn Peterson of Ford, Powell & Carson Architects and Planners, Inc. who is well known for her work on many local and Austin landmarks of San Antonio, including, The Alamo and more.

Also on board is the society's longtime award winning architect of record, Sue Ann Pemberton, Main Street Architects, since our deed announcement in 2000. Pemberton had worked with Peterson prior to opening her own office.

The society's milestones for the homestead and stagecoach stop continue when the Texas Historic Commission notified the society that the homestead would get their Texas Landmark status in summer of 2007.

The "marker" dedication and ceremony for this landmark and the listing for our site on the National Register in 2005 will be held in the near future.

Society also got a $1.500 Texas Parks & Wildlife Grant in 2006 for outdoor classroom tables and building materials, etc.

Recently, descendents and friends of a Leon Valley pioneer family of Gloria Anderson and friend Ellen Burn, former Old Leon Valley Elementary School donated an early Texas Molasses Press with a plaque at the homestead site in 2007.

Another milestone for our historic site was being listed as part of the Texas Historic Commission's new statewide Heritage Trail in 2006. Our region is known as Texas Hill Country Trail.

We are part of some 14 sites from this region that will be first to participate in the new statewide TXDOT Visitor Center displays. This is due to hard work and dedication of the Texas Historic Commission to get the Heritage Trail a reality, Texas Hill Country Trail board and new coordinator.

The homestead and stagecoach stop will be part of this display for the first time along with other sites in Langtry, Texas. The display will be "showcased" for some 6 months, starting in February of 2008.

The society leased the 36 acres of wild and pristine green space from the City of Leon Valley in 2005. This site is part of the homestead's "original" 800 acres back in mid-1850's. It ended up being total the acreage of the last owners, Judge John "Pete" and Harriet Onion who bought the property in 1930's. It lies across Huebner Creek behind the homestead.

The first namesake, Joseph Huebner, landowner and builder of the "original " two-story homestead with a veranda grave site is in the natural area.

The site is known as the Leon Valley Huebner Creek Natural Area and is open to the public. This wonderful natural space, located in the very "heart" of Leon Valley, offers great walking, flora, fauna and birding opportunities.

In the near future there will be many educational Texas history and nature outdoor classroom and tour opportunities offered to all ages by society docents and TP&W.

The historic Raymond Rimkus Park abuts the 36 acres of the new Huebner Creek Natural Area. The park was named for former mayor and owner of the infamous Rimkus General Store.

This former site lost to progress has a historical marker at the corner of Bandera @ Grissom Road. It was widely known as the "place to meet" in the community.