Plans Made to Celebrate Four Historical Occasions

A long line of Sam Houston Normal Institute faculty and students march from Old Main to the General Sam Houston gravesite for the traditional March 2 ceremony in 1914. The event that began in 1889 will be repeated this year, with other activities during the day as well.

State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst

The Walker County Historical Commission, Sam Houston Memorial Museum and the Sam Houston Statue and Visitors’ Center will host a day of activities in honor of four historical occasions on March 2.

The day, which marks Gen. Sam Houston’s birthday, Texas Independence Day Texas Flag Day and Walker County Pioneer Day, will begin with coffee and a reception at Gibbs Powel House Museum, at 1228 11th St., from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

At 10 a.m. a group of students, faculty member and administrators, band members, and others interested in continuing the traditional march to the Sam Houston grave will assemble at the Old Main Memorial area.

SHSU faculty member Caroline Crimm, who is organizing the march, said she expects it to take about 45 minutes to walk to the Gen. Sam Houston gravesite.

James Patton, county clerk and long time Huntsville historian, said that Sam Houston Normal Institute students began such marches in 1889, carrying United States and Texas flags.

"This tradition continued through the years, with the president of Sam Houston leading the way in an open automobile through about 1966," Patton said. "In 1981, the Walker County Historical Commission renewed this old tradition and broadened the event."

At 11 a.m., State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst will speak at a ceremony at Sam Houston’s grave in Oakwood Cemetery, at Spur 94 and 9th Street. For more on Rep. Kolkhorst, see this recent Today@Sam story.

A luncheon will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the Katy and E. Don Walker, Sr., Education Center, at 1402 19th St. The cost of the luncheon is $15 per person.

At 2 p.m., there will be a ribbon cutting and toast to Texas in the Rotunda of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, where cake and refreshments will be served.

To make reservations for the luncheon, send your name, address, city, state and zip code; the number of people planning to attend in your party; and check to the Walker County Historical Commission, P.O. Box 210, Huntsville, Texas, 77342-0210. Reservations may also be made by phone at 936.294.1832 or 936.294.4287.

The reservation deadline is Feb. 25.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Feb. 22, 2004
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