Replica Nina Ship Visits, Edwards Association Dedicates Historical Marker

On January 7th, the old HEB Grocery store on Block 27 was demolished to make way for a new one to be built on the same block, across the parking lot. On February 11th, the library reopened on St. Matthew Street after having been closed for several months for renovations to meet ADA requirements. On February 12th, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church was opened at the corner of St. Lawrence and St. John, and it was dedicated on April 27th. The First Baptist Church underwent renovations, including adding classrooms and making the sanctuary ADA-compliant. On March 4th, the expansion of the Romberg House on Qualls Street began. The four-legged metal water tower on the north end of town was demolished on March 11th. On April 9th and 10th, the Nina, a replica of one of Columbus’ ships, arrived in Gonzales and was displayed on Texas Heroes Square for public viewing. On April 19, the Edwards Association dedicated a Texas Historical marker at the corner of Klein and School Streets, commemorating the education of African-American students in Gonzales from the 1870s. On May 16th, the True Women series based on the novel by Janice Woods Windel was scheduled to air on CBS. In June, the Gonzales River flooded, and the final two shiny copper-clad cupolas were placed on the newly restored Gonzales County Courthouse. On July 1, the ½ cent sales tax went into effect. On September 26th, the Historic Homes Association began placing cast aluminum signs in front of historic homes. In October, the Front Porch Tea Room opened in the historic Lawley House on St. Matthew Street, and Independence Homes opened with twenty-four units for patients of the Gonzales County Mental Health Clinic. On November 21st, Discoverys from the Past, Architectural Antiques held a grand opening in the old IOOF building on St. Francis Street. Lastly, Dr. Colapret opened his dental office on St. Lawrence Street.