Near this site (about 2.5 mi. N on Cibolo Creek) stood the 18th-century Spanish fort of El Fuerte de Santa Cruz del Cibolo, usually called El Fuerte del Cibolo or El Cibolo. Built to protect the many Spanish ranches between San Antonio and La Bahia . . . — — Map (db m121606) HM
Jacob Lyssy (1837-1880) and John Pawlik, Jr. (1845-1912) of the Czestochowa parish each donated one acre of land to Bishop Anthony D. Pellicer of the Archdiocese of San Antonio to be used as a burial ground for the newly established Nativity of the . . . — — Map (db m131923) HM
The second Polish colony in Karnes County, the village in this area grew out of a small settlement known as St. Joe and was formally established in 1873. At times the priest at Panna Maria would conduct services at St. Joseph School in what would . . . — — Map (db m121602) HM
Founded in 1852 on San Antonio River by Thomas Ruckman, a graduate of Princeton, and Lewis Owings, later first Governor of Arizona Territory. Town was named in honor of Owings' wife, Helen.
Situated on branch of famed Chihuahua Trail (running . . . — — Map (db m132367) HM
Example of religious toleration in frontier Texas. Site was used early as 1866 by Methodists, whose church was "free to any Christian denomination for...worship, (and) subject to use of...Helena School".
Trustees of that church were T. K. . . . — — Map (db m132368) HM
Soon after Karnes County was created and organized in 1854, a frame and clapboard courthouse was erected at this site in the center of Jefferson Square.
This rock structure was built in 1873 to replace the first courthouse and adjacent county . . . — — Map (db m132370) HM
After centuries of use by buffalo and Indians, this trail from San Antonio to the Texas coast gained importance when opened to colonial travel by the Alarcon Expedition in 1718.
Spanish conquistadores and priests, the Gutierrez-Magee . . . — — Map (db m132371) HM
Founding father of Karnes County, Ruckman was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1848 from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and taught in South Carolina for a year. But the lure of Texas - then a . . . — — Map (db m132372) HM
Awarded to Karnes County as a WWI Memorial by 1923 Act of Congress Restored 2018 with assistance from the family of Gladys and Stephen Crews III
Restoration work done by K-3 Machine Tool Co. — — Map (db m192190) WM
This congregation was founded as a missionary church by the Rev. J.D. Walker in 1894, the same year the new town of Karnes City became the county seat of Karnes County. It is thought that early worship services were held in the school building. . . . — — Map (db m192192) HM
Karnes City's first edifice built for Protestant worship. Housed congregation originating in 1894 as a mission under the care of Helena Presbyterians, and organized as a church with 14 members in 1895 by the Rev. H.R. Laird, evangelist of the . . . — — Map (db m192191) HM
Seat of Karnes County; was founded in Christmas season, 1890, when a partnership headed by Otto Buchel bought 1,000 acres of land from J. L. Calvert for $5 an acre. The tract was near the geographic center of the county and adjoined the . . . — — Map (db m131922) HM
Formed from Bexar County
Created February 4, 1854
Organized February 27, 1854
Named in honor of
Henry Wax Karnes
1812-1840
Conspicuous for gallantry at
storming of Bexar
Commanded a company at
San Jacinto
Texas Ranger . . . — — Map (db m121656) HM
In 1854 Karnes County erected its first courthouse in the county seat of Helena, an important stage stop between San Antonio and Goliad. The original courthouse was destroyed in a storm about 1865 and a new stone courthouse was built in Helena in . . . — — Map (db m121652) HM
This cemetery was part of the original homestead of William Green and Adeline Burris Butler, who had migrated to Texas with their families before the Civil War. Eventually their ranching interests included land in five South Texas counties. . . . — — Map (db m205856) HM
On June 12, 1901, Sheriff W.T. "Brack” Morris and deputy arrived at the Thulemeyer Ranch to question Gregorio Cortez (1875-1916) about a reported horse theft in Atascosa County. A shootout ensued, leaving Sheriff Morris dead. Cortez fled the . . . — — Map (db m121759) HM
The town of Kenedy occupies a site that once was part of a royal Spanish land grant to Don Carlos Martinez. American settlement in the area began after the Texas War for Independence (1836). Land for a townsite was purchased in 1886 by railroad . . . — — Map (db m174612) HM
During World War II, the U.S. established three internment camps in Texas for alien civilians in the U.S. and Latin America, and one was located in Kenedy. The U.S. repatriated German, Japanese and Italian detainees in trade for American prisoners . . . — — Map (db m192193) HM
Episcopal worship services were held in Kenedy as early as 1899, though the congregation of St. Matthew's was not organized as a mission until 1913, by the Rev. Alfred R.S. Garden. Designed by Frank Corby, this was the only Episcopal church in the . . . — — Map (db m174613) HM
Built in 1855; used as a storeroom for landlord's share of Panna Maria crops. The landlord, John Twohig, a devout Catholic, set aside one room of store for the church and school.
Owned and operated by the Snoga family since 1918. . . . — — Map (db m131919) HM
Built in 1858 by a Polish immigrant from upper Silesia, the John Gawlik House is the oldest stone home in Panna Maria. Characteristics of rural upper Silesian homes and this house are steeply pitched gable roofs with large overhangs covering the . . . — — Map (db m207914) HM
Settled by 100 Polish families who came to Texas to gain economic, political and religious freedom.
Led by Father Leopold Moczygemba, O.F.M., Conv., they made a contract in 1854 with John Twohig, a San Antonio banker and merchant, for land at . . . — — Map (db m131916) HM
Built 1875; second oldest store in Panna Maria; still has original rafters and floors. Lime for mortaring stones (visible on back and sides) was fired in home kilns. Store was bought by Victor Pilarczyk, 1913. First gas pump was installed 1919. . . . — — Map (db m131918) HM
Built 1868. Oldest Polish private school in America.
Since 1855, classes had been held in various sites. This was the first school building in the colony at Panna Maria. Teachers lived upstairs and classes were held on the ground floor. . . . — — Map (db m131920) HM
Oldest Polish settlement in Texas -
Established December 24, 1854 by
the Reverend Leopold Moczygemba
O.F.M., who was instrumental in
bringing from Poland about 100
Polish peasant families - Within a
few months the majority sought . . . — — Map (db m131917) HM
Originally built before 1900, this structure was rebuilt in 1924 by the civic league, "Rungetex" Brass Band, and others. Many stories have been told by older citizens of the good times spent here at band concerts, ice cream socials, and Easter Egg . . . — — Map (db m174608) HM
Early Texas town. Near site where old ox-cart road from San Antonio to Indianola crossed the Ojo de Agua (Spanish name meaning "Eye of Water" or Spring) Creek. Here pioneer travelers found essentials of water, wood, and grass. Numerous Indian . . . — — Map (db m174609) HM
To Commemorate the Valor of the Defenders of our Nation who Served and Fought in the Wars to Preserve our Freedom and Democracy. — — Map (db m174606) WM
