The new City Center open house drew a steady stream of visitors on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Immediately upon entering the spacious high ceiling new City Center. your attention is drawn to the brightly lighted display cabinet stocked with mementos pertaining to the founding of HSB, historical artifacts of native American habitations, and evidence of the ranches that preceded the Resort and city.
This creative display is the result of the HSB Historical Preservation Advisory Committee chaired by local historian Jim Jorden. Many of the mementos were donated by the surviving member of the HSB founders, Eileen Hurd. She particularly pointed to the stained glass logo of HSB Resort created by two nuns who lived in San Antonio. The collection of unique China plates featuring painted HSB scenes also originated from the Catholic sisters.
Numerous people found the original letter from former President Lyndon Baines Johnson written to Norman Hurd to be of special interest. It is dated June 27, 1972, when development of the Resort property was barely begun, and just seven months before LBJ’s untimely death in January 1973. The brief letter references Mrs. Johnson as well and ends: “We are watching your progress with pride and admiration, and we continue to wish you well,” signed by the former President.
