Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
All Credit for this article
goes to Jay Ermis
and the
Temple Daily Telegram
goes to Jay Ermis
and the
Temple Daily Telegram
City Celebrates Renovation of Historic Gazebo
by Jay Ermis
Temple Daily Telegram - 2014-04-27
CAMERON - On Thursday afternoon the Cameron Lions Club celebrated the completion of the renovation of the historic gazebo in Cameron City Park with an event resembling a Sunday afternoon gathering in the early 1900s.
Club President Stephen Fuchs grilled hot dogs, there were dessert and coloring contests, youngsters used the playground equipment the Lions Club furnished in past years and residents visited with one another on the pavilion’s wooden seats as they would have in yesteryear.
Celebration coordinator Mikaela Fuchs said her goal was to have a country picnic-type event.
“I wanted a real community, homey feel — checkered tablecloths, the hot dogs,” she said. “Everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves.”
“I think it turned out great,” said Gary Fuchs, the club’s treasurer who made the renovation proposal and presented it to the Cameron City Council. “Everybody participating did what they were supposed to. As we have seen in the last three or four weeks, the park has been a very busy spot, especially right here at the gazebo.
“It’s a big improvement for the city and a big improvement for the residents. There were a lot of people involved in the financial end of it. It was done in a quality way and we hope it will last for a long time.”
Stephen Fuchs said the club coordinated the project, but other groups helped the Lions make the project possible. “We’re happy with the end results. It’s something the town can use. It came out good. Things can happen out here that couldn’t before.”
The renovation was recently completed by EBCO Development of Cameron.
The Lions Club used money raised during its radio auction in 2013 and from fundraisers, and received financial support from Cameron residents and various organizations to raise the $34,000 needed to fund the renovation.
The City Council gave the Lions Club approval in June to renovate the gazebo, which dates back to the early 1890s. The wooden pavilion, once used extensively by Cameron residents, deteriorated in recent years, losing its appeal as the place to hold birthday parties or other events, and the club decided to make it its annual project.
The structure was built in 1890 on the site of the first home built in Cameron and the boyhood home of Sul Ross and was constructed as the site to showcase the May 3, 1892, gubernatorial debate between Texas Gov. James Hogg and Waco judge George Clark.
Milam County Historical Museum director Charles King said the Hogg-Clark debate was regarded as one of the most heated debates of its day.
The Santa Fe and San Antonio and Aransas Pass railroads brought many of the spectators to Cameron for the day’s activities.
There were estimates of 10,000 people attending the debate because of Cameron’s location.
His father, Shapley P. Ross, Indian agent and Ranger, built the first home in Cameron after moving here in about 1841 and chose the site for the home because it had a good spring.
Sul Ross served as governor from 1887 to 1891 and then president of Texas A&M College.
The gazebo’s metal roof was replaced in addition to the wooden flooring and wooden steps that had deteriorated. They were painted along with other wooden boards used for seating. New electrical wiring was installed along with light fixtures in different areas.
“I think it’s a great asset for the community,” club member Robert Davis said. “It shows we’re concerned about our heritage and it is a historical building. Cameron cares about its history and it’s a great resource for the community to come and have a family event at the City Park.”
jermis@tdtnews.com
.
by Jay Ermis
Temple Daily Telegram - 2014-04-27
CAMERON - On Thursday afternoon the Cameron Lions Club celebrated the completion of the renovation of the historic gazebo in Cameron City Park with an event resembling a Sunday afternoon gathering in the early 1900s.
Club President Stephen Fuchs grilled hot dogs, there were dessert and coloring contests, youngsters used the playground equipment the Lions Club furnished in past years and residents visited with one another on the pavilion’s wooden seats as they would have in yesteryear.
Celebration coordinator Mikaela Fuchs said her goal was to have a country picnic-type event.
“I wanted a real community, homey feel — checkered tablecloths, the hot dogs,” she said. “Everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves.”
“I think it turned out great,” said Gary Fuchs, the club’s treasurer who made the renovation proposal and presented it to the Cameron City Council. “Everybody participating did what they were supposed to. As we have seen in the last three or four weeks, the park has been a very busy spot, especially right here at the gazebo.
“It’s a big improvement for the city and a big improvement for the residents. There were a lot of people involved in the financial end of it. It was done in a quality way and we hope it will last for a long time.”
Stephen Fuchs said the club coordinated the project, but other groups helped the Lions make the project possible. “We’re happy with the end results. It’s something the town can use. It came out good. Things can happen out here that couldn’t before.”
The renovation was recently completed by EBCO Development of Cameron.
The Lions Club used money raised during its radio auction in 2013 and from fundraisers, and received financial support from Cameron residents and various organizations to raise the $34,000 needed to fund the renovation.
The City Council gave the Lions Club approval in June to renovate the gazebo, which dates back to the early 1890s. The wooden pavilion, once used extensively by Cameron residents, deteriorated in recent years, losing its appeal as the place to hold birthday parties or other events, and the club decided to make it its annual project.
The structure was built in 1890 on the site of the first home built in Cameron and the boyhood home of Sul Ross and was constructed as the site to showcase the May 3, 1892, gubernatorial debate between Texas Gov. James Hogg and Waco judge George Clark.
Milam County Historical Museum director Charles King said the Hogg-Clark debate was regarded as one of the most heated debates of its day.
The Santa Fe and San Antonio and Aransas Pass railroads brought many of the spectators to Cameron for the day’s activities.
There were estimates of 10,000 people attending the debate because of Cameron’s location.
His father, Shapley P. Ross, Indian agent and Ranger, built the first home in Cameron after moving here in about 1841 and chose the site for the home because it had a good spring.
Sul Ross served as governor from 1887 to 1891 and then president of Texas A&M College.
The gazebo’s metal roof was replaced in addition to the wooden flooring and wooden steps that had deteriorated. They were painted along with other wooden boards used for seating. New electrical wiring was installed along with light fixtures in different areas.
“I think it’s a great asset for the community,” club member Robert Davis said. “It shows we’re concerned about our heritage and it is a historical building. Cameron cares about its history and it’s a great resource for the community to come and have a family event at the City Park.”
jermis@tdtnews.com
.
Cameron residents celebrate the renovated historic gazebo Thursday (April 24, 2014) in City Park
photo by Jay Ermis
.
photo by Jay Ermis
.