Scene of a true Wild West murder, Cotulla's historic Gallman Building is given new life

Although the ghosts of neither young Sheriff Charles McKinney nor alleged conspirator George Hill are believed to haunt the place, their remarkable lives and grisly end are forever woven into the historic fabric of downtown Cotulla, where hopes of a viable preservation program have been renewed with the sale of the Gallman Building.

When Cotulla celebrated its designation as a Main Street City with a visit by Texas First Lady Anita Perry five years ago, the focus was on the preservation and revitalization of the community's downtown area, specifically historic Front Street, and expectations were high that the town's old buildings would be given a new life. 

Serving as backdrop for the Main Street Program ceremony in February 2007 was the Gallman Building, listed as Cotulla's first brick-and-mortar structure. Taking part in the celebration were several generations of county residents, city and county elected officials, property owners, high school students, the school Mariachi band and the local Boy Scout troop. It was a day on which Cotulla focused new attention on its aging downtown buildings and began reversing more than a quarter-century trend of decay, neglect and demolition. 

New chair and commissioner named to Texas Historical Commission

Austin, Texas-The Texas Historical Commission (THC) welcomes Austin businesswoman Sheri Krause to the position of chair after serving on the commission since February 2009. Krause is managing partner for JBS Holdings LP, and former development director for the Settlement Home for Children.

She is a member and past president of the Seton Development Board, and a member of the Southern Methodist Parent Advisory Council, Women's Symphony League of Austin, and Helping Hand Society. She also received the Junior League of Austin's Community Service Award. Krause was appointed chair by Gov. Rick Perry in late January. She replaces Jon Hansen of El Paso, who continues to serve on the commission.

"Mr. Hansen provided great leadership, and will continue to share his knowledge and experience through the remainder of his term," said THC Executive Director Mark Wolfe. "We look forward to working with Chairman Krause in her promoted position, and know the transition will be a smooth one, having worked closely with her during the last two years. Her leadership and commitment to this state's historic resources will be valuable assets to the agency as it continues in its mission of preserving and protecting the real places of Texas history."

In addition, Gov. Perry appointed new member Robert K. Shepard of Weatherford to the agency. A third generation Texan, Weatherford is a rancher, retired American Airlines pilot, and former air traffic controller. He recently served on the North Texas Tollway Authority Board of Directors, and is a member of the Allied Pilots Association. Shepard served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, and received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University. He volunteers at Hendricks Regional Medical Center in Abilene. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2017. He replaces former Texas Supreme Court Justice Tom Phillips of Bastrop, whose term expired in 2011 but had not been replaced.  

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