Southwestern US History

In May 2008, the Leon Valley Historical Society, in league with some other groups, held a special event to raise awareness of the need for funds to finish repairs and rennovations on the Huebner Onion homestead, the oldest house in Leon Valley.

I think this is Judge John Onion (Jr).

The text reads:

Texas Historical Commission

Texas

Huebner-Onion Homestead and Stagecoach Stop

This site was home to two important area families, as well as a stagecoach stop in the 1800s. Development here began in 1858 when Joseph Huebner and his family, who arrived from Austria five years earlier, bought acreage surrounding what is now Huebner Creek and Huebner Road. A successful San Antonio businessman, he soon erected three limestone buildings here and began to acquire herds of horses, mules and cattle. He also opened a stagecoach stop at the family's homestead ranch on the San Antonio to Bandera stage line route. The stop included blacksmith services, change of stock and overnight accommodations if traverlers were unable to pass over the flooded creek. Joseph Huebner died in 1882 and was buried on the homestead property.

After Huebner's death, and well into the early 20th century, the family continued to operate the ranch, watering hole and livery service on this land. In 1930, Judge John F. Onion and his wife Harriet acquired a section of the Huebner property that included the homestead site. John (d. 1955) began a family legal tradition, working as a lawyer and later serving as a San Antonio municipal judge, Bexar County Justice of the Peace and Bexar County District Judge. Harriet (d. 1983) was a schoolteacher in Leon Valley.

Due to metropolitan growth, the homestead was in danger of disappearing, but grassroots efforts led by the Historical Society of Leon Valley, along with corporate donations and the purchase of land, helped save this historic property. Today, it serves as a natural area and educational site.

(2007)

Marker is the property of the state of Texas.

These guys are getting ready for battle... or more likely, pie.

This man was going around showing rope tricks to kids, or anyone interested. I think he's Doug Whitacre.

A country western band... I think Tennessee Valley Authority.

Better pic.

The Civil War guys again, talking shop, maybe.

Here we've got who I think are a group of gunfighters (stunt men) in the foreground. The rope trick guy is in the background on the right. In the background on the left is a fellow in black that I don't remember, possibly Jack the Ripper popped in for a visit.

Here's a cowboy kitchen: chuckwagon with tent thrown up, and dutch ovens cooking over a fire. The dutch ovens on the left have hot coals on top of the lids. They're making peach cobbler, mainly.

Mel Ellenwood, Chuck Wagon Cooking

Yum.