Thurmond Building TX6571

C.L. Thurmond, Jr. constructed this building in 1898 for use as a general mercantile store and residence. It is similar to other structures built here before the 1900s, when Bridge Street was a major commercial center of Victoria. The business district prospered until nearby rail lines and roads were relocated. The Thurmond Building, which features a distinctive three-story central section, housed stores, a grain mill, and the Farmers' Cooperative.

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University Gardens, Texas Woman's University TX11944

The original Rock Garden and native botanical area at this site was established in the 1930s by the Exterior Beautification Committee of Texas State College for Women, now Texas Woman's University. Members of the committee were Willie Isabella Birge, director of the Department of Biology, Fred Westcourt, director of the Department of Rural Arts and Mary Marshall, director of the Department of Art. The gardens were planned and landscaped to display a diverse collection of plants from Texas and other areas. Paths and retaining walls were constructed of native stone. The adjacent chapel in the woods was added in 1938.

A focal point of the campus for many years, the gardens were neglected following World War II and they became overgrown. In the late 1970s, through a cooperative effort of University officials and local residents, the area was restored.

The University Gardens are now a sanctuary for the preservation of native Texas wildflowers. The site serves as an educational laboratory for students, as a trail garden for plants used in campus landscaping and as a place of serenity and relaxation.

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Westphalia Little School TX5772

Plans for the establishment of a school to serve the German Catholic community of Westphalia began soon after the earliest settlers arrived here in 1879. Under the direction of the first trustees, Anton Jansing, Joseph Hoelscher,and Stanislaus Rollewitz, the school was set up to provide parochial and public instruction. The Westphalia Little School opened in 1884. Early teachers were J.H. Pels; Professor A. Kechoff; Brother Stefan Geiser, CPPS; George Laloumoudiere; G. Horst Daniel; Joseph Henke; and Tim Sullivan.

The building was originally constructed as the Church of Visitation. After being heavily damaged by storms, it was remodeled in 1893 for use as the community schoolhouse.

In 1899 the Sisters of Divine Providence from Our Lady of the Lake Covent in San Antonio began teaching in the school. Although the parochial program ended in 1935, the Sisters have continued to serve in the public school.

Since 1884 Westphalia Little School has continued to offer area residents a quality educational program based on a cooperative effort between public and parochial instruction.

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William J. Killeen House TX7506

A bookkeeper for the Texas Cooperative Association, William J. Killeen built this residence about 1886. His family continued to live here following his death the same year. In 1899 the house was purchased by Dr. John Thomas Moore (1863-1951). A former educator, he later became a prominent physician, pioneering the medical use of radium in the Houston area. The two-story home has characteristics of the Greek revival and Victorian styles.

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Site Of First Gadsden County Courthouse FL338

This antebellum home is related in style to the early Louisiana plantation houses of the lower Mississippi Valley. Designed to cope with the heat and dampness of the climate, its main living quarters were on the second floor. It rests on land once owned by Robert Forbes, first Gadsden County sheriff, whose house served as a county courthouse in the early 1820's. Later in the nineteenth century, the property passed into the hands of Hector and William Bruce, grandnephews of Forbes. In 1956, it was purchased by the Quincy Garden Club, and in 1972 was acquired by Talquin Electric Cooperative, Inc. who undertook complete restoration.

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Rural Electrification PA1609
In 1936 seventy-five percent of Pennsylvania farms had no electric service. During the next five years, with Federal support, 14 consumer-owned cooperatives were formed in this State. Serving users in seven counties of western Pennsylvania, Central Electric Cooperative at Parker was incorporated July 12, 1937.

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Rural Electrification PA1613
Here on August 5, 1936, the State's first rural electric pole was placed by the Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Incorporated on April 30, 1936, this was Pennsylvania's first such cooperative. By 1941, thirteen more had been formed in this State.

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Eagle Grange # 1 PA468
Pennsylvania's first Grange, officially organized March 4, 1871, two and a half years before organization of the Pennsylvania State Grange on Sept. 18, 1873. The National grange (order of Patrons of Husbandry) had been established in 1867. Objectives of this and other Granges included cooperative purchasing, lowering of railroad rates, and rural free delivery. They pioneered in giving equal status to women. A grange hall was built here, 1887.

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Rural Electrification PA1606
In 1936 seventy-five percent of Pennsylvania farms had no electric service. During the next five years, with federal support, 14 consumer-owned cooperatives were formed in the State. Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative, serving much of north-central Pennsylvania from Mansfield, was incorporated October 24, 1936.

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Rural Electrification PA1608
In 1936 seventy-five percent of Pennsylvania farms had no electric service. During the next five years, with Federal support, 14 consumer-owned cooperatives were formed in the State. Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, serving parts of eight northeastern Pennsylvania counties, was incorporated October 24, 1936.

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