HomeMy WebLinkAboutSteele's Store ApplicationTitle of Marker
( subject to revision by ►
THC staff)
Marker Location
(street address and town. ,
or specific directions from
nearest town on state highway map)
Distance and directioi
of subject
from markcr site ,
Signature of
County Chairman ,
APPLICATION FORM FOR OFFICIAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER
Texas Historical Commission
State Marker Program
P.O. Box 12276, Austin, Texas 78711
Person to whom marker
is to be shipped'
Signature of owner
PAPERWEIGHTS
The Steele's Store Community
Marker would be located at the
southern entrance to the
Steele's Store Community.
Owner of
Marker Site Texas Highway Department
Sponsor of •
Marker • C for the Establishment of Texas
Historical Marker at Steele's Store.
Suggest marker be located on FM 50 at a point 2.4 miles from the
intersection of Hwy 21 and FM 50. Suggest marker be placed
alongside of road facing southward toward Hwy 21
If not on post. type of
surface to which marker,
will be attached (wood. stone, etc.) On post
District Highway Engineer
SUBJECT MARKERS
O 16" x 12" grave markcr (comes with mounting bar) S225
X 27" x 42" suhjcct marker with post 5650
O 27" x 42" suhjcct marker without post 5600
O 1K" x 2R" suhjcct marker with post S175
O IK" x 28" suhjcct marker without post 5100
O I(Wc) request that RTHL designation he considered for this marker.
(Please see signature line below)
BUILDING MARKERS
O 16" x 12" building marker with post 5150
O 16" x 12" building marker without post S100
.Applications for building markers will automatically he considered for the
R I HI. designation. Please read carefully Texas Marker Policies 13 through
IR. and indicate that you have done so by signing below.
Please indicate quantity desired.
_ 3" x 4" plastic paperweight
mounted with replica of marker $90
Allow two months from completion of marker
for receipt of paperweight.
Medallion paperweight S40
Allows four lines of engraving: please indicate desired wording.
Address
Address
Address
Address
County
Brazos
city Zip
11th and Brazos
Austin. Texas 78701
c/o Mr. Charles Marco Patranella
206 S. Haswell Drive
Bryan, Texas 77so3
City. Zip
/a-flt'% t oy-e -- e s /St 614
1300 N Texas Ave City, Zip
Bryan, Texas 77801
Phone: (409)778 -2165
Telephone
(required)
•If marker is to he placed on highway right - of-war. it will he shipped to your district highway engineer.
Please consult the back of this page for specifications of the markers available. Check the items desired below. Approval of the application and
narrative must be obtained from the county historical commission. as indicated by the county chairman's signature on this form. before
forwarding the material to the Texas Historical Commission. Please do not send payment if ordering subject or building markers: funds will be
requested once the application has been approved by the State Marker Committee. Sales tax must be added to the price. except if purchased by a
tax - exempt organisation. Applicants may order a marker with a socket to attach to their own post. however, the cost is the same as a marker
furnished with a foundry post.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
Please indicate quantity desired and give location(s) on form above:
24" x 24" Historical Markers In City sign SR0
These will he .shipped to and placed on your town's city
limits signs hr the District Highway Engineer.
- Black and White (for farm -to- market roads. state and U.S. highways)
- Green and White (for interstate highways)
IR' x 22" Historical Marker directional sign SRO
In hlock and white only. Fortin and county roads.
Applicant must supply post and he responsible for placement.
_ With arrow pointing straight ahead
- With arrow pointing left
- With arrow pointing right
OTHER
❑ National Register plaque S 50
❑ 12" x 6" supplemental plate Si 10
❑ 16" x I2" building marker plate onl,
(see policy a I5) S190
❑ Replacement medallion (see polic} $15) 5110
❑ Rronle stars (for replacement on 1936
granite markers) S 25
❑ Rronre wreaths (for replacement on
1936 granite markers) 5 25
❑ Rronre seals (for replacement on
1936 granitc markers) 5 65
❑ Rronre plates (for replacement on
1936 granite markers) SIR5
❑ Certificates of commendation 50c each
1957
Signature of
County Chairman ,
APPLICATION FORM FOR OFFICIAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER
Texas Historical Commission
State Marker Program
P.O. Box 12276, Austin, Texas 78711
Title of Marker
( subject to revision by'
THC staff)
Marker Location
(street address and town. ,
or specific directions from
nearest town on state highway map)
Distance and directioi
of subject Marker would be located at the
from marker site PP southern entrance to the
Steele's Store Community.
Owner of
Marker Site Texas Highway Department
Person to whom marker
is to be shipped*
SUBJECT MARKERS
O 16" x 12" grave marker (comes with mounting bar) 5225
27" x 42" suhjcct marker with post 5650
p 27" x 42" subject marker without post 5600
❑ IX" x 2R" subject marker with post 5375
O 11+" x 2R" subject marker without post 5100
❑ I(We) request that RTHL designation he considered for this marker.
(Please see signature line below)
BUILDING MARKERS
D 16" x 12" huilding marker with post
❑ 16 x 12" building marker without post
Applications for huilding markers will automatically be considered for the
R H1. designation. Please read carefully Texas Marker Policies 13 through
IR. and indicate that you have donc so by signing below.
Signature of owner
PAPERWEIGHTS
County
The Steele's Store Community
Sponsor of Address
Marker • Citizens for the Establishment of Texas
Historical Marker at Steele's Store.
District Highway Engineer
51S0
5100
Please indicate quantity desired.
7" x 4" plastic paperweight
mounted with replica of marker 590
Allow two months from completion of marker
for receipt of paperweight.
Medallion paperweight S40
Allows four lines of engraving: please indicate desired wording.
If not on post. type of
surface to which marker,
will be attached (wood. stone. etc.)
Address
Brazos
Suggest marker be located on FM 50 at a point 2.4 miles from the
intersection of Hwy 21 and FM 50. Suggest marker be placed
alongside of road facing southward toward Hwy 21
City, Zi
Address 1300 N Texas Ave City, Zip
Bryan, Texas 77801
Phone: (409)778 -2165
On post
Address C t . Zip
11th and Brazos
Austin. Texas 78701
c/o Mr. Charles Marco Patranella
206 S. Haswell Drive
Bryan, Texas 77803
v '74ctS'
Telephone
(required)
• If marker is to he placed on highway right -of- war. it will he shipped to your district highway engineer.
Please consult the back of this page for specifications of the markers available. Check the items desired below. Approval of the application and
narrative must be obtained from the county historical commission. as indicated by the county chairman's signature on this form. before
forwarding the material to the Texas Historical Commission. Please donor send payment if ordering subject or building markers: funds will be
requested once the application has been approved by the State Marker Committee. Saks tax must be added to the price. except if purchased by a
tax -exempt organisation. Applicants may order a marker with a socket to attach to their own post. however, the cost is the same as a marker
furnished with a foundry post.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
Please indicate quantity desired and give location(s) on form above:
24" x 24" Historical Markers In City sign 5R0
These will he shipped to and placed on your towns city
limits signs hr she District Highway Engineer.
_
Black and White (for farm-to-market roads. state and U.S. highways)
_ Green and White (for interstate highways)
IR" x 22" Historical Marker directional sign SRO
In hlock and white only. For city and count roads.
Applicant must supply post and he responsible fns placement
With arrow pointing straight ahead
_ With arrow pointing left
_ With arrow pointing right
OTHER
❑ National Register plaque 5 50
❑ 12" x 6" supplemental plate 5110
❑ 16" x 12" building marker plate onl■
(see policy It 15) 5190
❑ Replacement medallion (see policy 415) 5110
❑ Rrorve stars (for replacement on 1936
granite markers) S 25
❑ Rronre wreaths (for replacement on
1936 granite markers) S 25
❑ Bromic seals (for replacement on
1936 granite markers) 5 65
❑ Waive plates (for replacement on
1936 granite markers) SIRS
❑ Certificates of commendation 50c each
19/(7
THE STEELE'S STORE COMMUNITY
During the 1860s Italians were to be found in every state in the
Union, despite the limited number of them who immigrated to the U.S. The
first Italian settler came to Bryan in 1868 after having lived in Houston for
two years previous. He was a shoemaker by trade. (Unfortunately, his name
is not mentioned in this reference.) Between the years of 1880 and 1914
nearly four million Italians arrived in the U.S., eighty percent of whom,
were from the provinces south of Rome and the island of Sicily. In 1909
overpopulation became a serious problem within that country, and Italians
were encouraged to emigrate. Known to be thrifty and hard - working, the
Italians were much sought after and preferred over other European laborers.
Steamship travel across the Atlantic improved, and trips which had
often proved arduous became safer and more comfortable, usually lasting
from ten days to two weeks. The convenience of being able to depart from
Naples, Palermo, Messina, and Genoa was an important factor, and Naples
soon became the leading European port of embarkation for emigrants going
overseas.
Railroad companies were looking for unskilled labor for construction
and maintenance work and hired padrones, or labor agents, for recruiting.
As more male immigrants became established in America they began to
help each other secure jobs. Consequently, more and more began bringing
their families with them. To promote the movement of Italians to farms, the
Italian and United States governments, individual states, and even private
agencies supported the establishment of agricultural colonies throughout the
country, especially in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Early Italian settlers to the Brazos Valley were often assisted with
travel and living expenses by businessmen of that area and by the local
Agricultural Benevolent Society, which was formed for that purpose.
By 1911, the largest Italian agricultural colony in the South,
numbering at least 1,700 persons, was located in Brazos County. It is
thought that over fifty percent of the Italians who settled in the lower
Brazos Valley in the early 1870s came from Poggioreale, in the province of
Trapani, Sicily, and the rest from Cefalu, Corleone, and Salaparuta in the
province of Palermo.
1
Since most of these immigrants reached the United States through the
Port of New Orleans, many found it necessary to take jobs in the sugar cane
fields of Louisiana cutting cane until a number were able to earn enough
money to move to Texas. Many of these settled at Steele's Store, a
community located approximately 10 miles west of Bryan and about 2 miles
north of Texas 21. A part of the "bottom lands" of the Brazos River this
community was formerly called "Mudville" and later named Steele's Store for
Henry B. Steele, who had built a small general merchandise store to supply
the families with a few necessities. Farming in the Brazos Valley was not
easy for these immigrants since the area was prone to very severe flooding,
particularly during the years 1885, 1899, 1900, 1913, and 1921.
The trip to Bryan on horseback or by wagons was quite long. In 1910
an interurban railroad was built from Bryan to Steele's Store, but improper
management and lack of funds caused it to fails Not only did this store
provide a convenience for shopping but it soon became a social center where
the farmers tended to collect around the big wood stove and "swap yarns"
and play checkers on rainy days and other slow times.
"From 1850 to 1882 a prison farm was located in the Brazos Bottom
adjacent to this area. The prison labor was used in building a levee along the
river to prevent floods. When the slaves were freed in 1865 there was a
shortage of labor on the plantations; therefore, these prisoners were hired
out in chain gangs to do the field work. The prisoners were kept in iron cage -
like wagons at night and were exposed to mosquitoes and the cold, damp air.
Diseases spread through these camps rapidly and many men died without
any attempt whatsover to save them. "
The floods of 1899 were quite disastrous, and heavy losses were
suffered in cotton, corn, sugarcane, melons, small fruits, and livestock. The
majority of landlords, mostly of Anglo -Saxon stock, gave the tenants the
opportunity to take the land rent -free and make what crops they could
during the remainder of the season, even going so far, in most instances, as
to furnish fresh seed for the tenant to plant. This was done partly to keep
the tenant from leaving the plantation and partly to prevent the growth of
weeds and prepare the land for next year's crop. 7 The total area covered by
the flood was about 2,300 square miles. 8 Many became discouraged and
moved away, but the vast majority of the settlement stayed on to battle the
elements.
2
In order to encourage settlers to come to this area, the government
offered large tracts of land to anyone bringing in a large number of families
willing to try their luck. The land was rich, but the enormous task of
clearing and draining often proved too much for the immigrants. Malaria
became prevalent because of poor drainage and proved to be a hazard.
Therefore, the land could be purchased for less than five dollars per acre so
that this was an enticement for some. 9 According to the tax receipts filed at
the Brazos County Courthouse the average size farm purchased at the time
was 69.3 acres. 10
After a more effective system of flood control was established, the
Italian immigrants successfully raised cotton, corn, and other crops. They
lived on farms that varied in size from one hundred to four hundred acres,
and most were owned by the family. As farmers, the Italians were
considered by some to be superior to the local laborers. Some of the early
Italian settlers to this particular area were the families of Dominico Angonio,
Joe Bonano, Antonio Cangelosi, Pietro Catalina, Luca Collette, Vincenzo Courte,
John DePuma, Manuel DePuma, Giovanni Fazzino, Antonio Salvato, and
Antonio Varisco.
They introduced new methods of farming by cultivating gardens and
trucking to local markets. Today, cotton is one the principal crops grown in
the Brazos Valley. Remnants of an early cotton gin may also be found in the
area.
In 1889 a one -room school house was built in this community at what
was then known as Bryan Junction, but is now Varisco Junction. Reading,
writing, arithmetic, and spelling were the only subjects taught from the first
to the seventh grades by Mr. E. D. Closs, the school's first teacher. The
equipment was very poor, and the students had to buy their own books.
Long, rough handmade benches holding six pupils were used instead of the
single desks now found in even the most remote rural schools. The building
was heated by a large wood stove, for which each student's parents
furnished a certain amount of fuel. Each student was also required to carry
a certain amount of the drinking water from the well up to the school house
for the water barrel located on the back porch. Serving on the school board
of this rural school were early settlers, John and Manuel DePuma.
Later, in 1894 another school was built about five miles farther down
on the Steele farm. This made it more convenient for the pupils'in that area.
3
Six years later these two schools were consolidated into one large school, but
this building was destroyed by fire in 1924. While awaiting the construction
of a two -story school building, classes were held in the homes of the
teachers. The new structure was designed by J. M. Perrone, Sr. and
consisted of four large classrooms downstairs and a large auditorium
upstairs. Each year more equipment and supplies were purchased until it
had a fairly sufficient supply of maps, blackboards, reference books, and
other classroom equipment. Water fountains, book lockers, butane gas stoves
and a piano were also purchased. Later a radio was added and a Works
Progress Administration library, which was available to the general public.
The school was used until the mid -1940s and is still standing today.
Because this immigrant settlement was predominantly Roman Catholic,
it was often visited by the priests from St. Anthony's Church, which was
built and established as a parish in Bryan in 1896. In 1903, the San
Salvador Catholic Church was built across Texas 21 from the Steele's Store
settlement. Father A. Petillo was the first pastor of St. Anthony's and served
the outlying districts such as Steele's Store, as well.
Family gatherings in connections with the activities of the Church
were the chief source of entertainment during that time period and continue
to be so today. The celebration of the St. Joseph's Altar on or near March 19
is an ancient Sicilian tradition which the immigrants brought to the United
States. Today it is still one of the more celebrated Church holidays. St.
Joseph is revered as the patron of peace, a happy home, and charity to the
poor. Families devoted to him extended hospitality to all who come to their
door.
Families desiring to honor St. Joseph get together prior to that date
for the cooking and baking of traditional Italian foods. As a rule, an altar has
three sides consisting of a stair -step arrangement of wooden shelves in a
pyramid fashion and covered with lace cloths and decorated with small
statues of Saint Joseph, as well as, Jesus, Mary, and sometimes other saints.
Floral arrangements and many varieties of traditional Italian cookies are
included. Elaborately decorated cookies with a fig filling, small cakes,
biscottiand nelli(smail rings) are still among the most popular recipes
served. In addition, a traditional Italian spaghetti dinner is served to the
hundreds of guests attending. Since this holiday usually falls during the
Lenten season, meat is not used in the cooking. During the week preceding
4
the actual Feast Day, prayer services are held each evening during which the
Holy Rosary is recited. On the Feast Day a group of people, selected to
represent the Holy Family, march in a small procession toward the altar.
Afterwards, they take their place at a special table to preside over the
festive meal while the guests eat. Generally, several families come together
to prepare a St. Joseph's altar so that several may be found throughout the
Brazos V alley. ' 4
Descendents of many of the original Italian settlers still farm and
reside in the Steele's Store area, which still produces quality crops today and
plays an important role in the economy of the Brazos Valley.
Prepared by: Mrs. Rosemary DePasquale Boykin
1505 Laura Lane
College Station, Texas 77840
Phone: (409) 693 -0224
After July 8, 1990:
Maseru (ID)
USAID /Lesotho
Washington, D.C. 20521 -0001 (Please note that this
is an overseas Diplomatic Pouch address and will
take 2 -3 weeks to reach me)
Assisted by: Mr. Charles Marco Patranella
206 South Haswell Drive
Bryan, Texas 77803
Phone: (409) 822 -6340
5
ENDNOTES
lUnited States Congress, Senate. U.S. Industrial Commission on Immigration
and Education. Recent Immigrants in Agriculture. Part 24 of
Immigrants m Industries 61st Congress, 2nd Sess. Senate Doc. No.
633. June 15, 1910. Serial Set #5682. p. 350.
2 Boykin, Rosemary E. The DePasquales From Italy /Sicily to Texas.
College Station, Texas. 1986. p. 17.
3United States Congress, Senate. U.S. Industrial Commission on Immigration
and Education Italians in the Southern States. Abstracts of Reports on
Recent Immigrants in Agriculture: Italians Vol 7., 1911. p. 567.
4 United States Congress, Senate. U.S. Industrial Commission on Immigration
and Education. Recent Immigrants in Agriculture. Part 24 of
Immigrants in Industries 61st Congress, 2nd Sess. Senate Doc No.
633. June 15, 1910. Serial Set #5682. p. 349.
5Boykin, p. 18.
6 Moore, John William. A Sod a/ and Emnomic Study ofthe Italian
Settlement, SteelesStare, Texas Thesis: MS, Rural Sociology. Texas
A &M College. February 1941. p. 15.
7 United States Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Statistics. The Brazos
River (Texas) Flood ofJune .July 1899, and Its Effects Upon the
Agriculture of the Submerged Regions Circular No. 10. Washington.
GPO. 1899. p. 3.
8 lbid. p. 4.
9 Moore. p.16.
10 Ibid. p. 22.
11 Ibid. p.25.
12 lbid. p 26.
1 3Lapaglia, Toni (ed.) Italian American Favorite Recipes From the kitchens
caf' AntbonysParishioners Bryan, Texas. 1986. pp. 5 -6.
14Ibid. pp. 7-8.
6
REFERENCES
1. Albert, Janice Patranella. The Brazos Valley Italian Americans June 28,
1982. 16 p.
2. Belfiglio, Covaliere Valentine. The Italian Experience in Texas. Austin,
Texas: Eakin Press. 1933.
3. Boykin, Rosemary E. The fePasquales . From Italy /Sicily to Texas.
College Station, Texas. 1986. 251 pp.
4. Lapaglia, Toni (ed.) Italian American Favorite Recipes From the
Dtchens al' St. Anthony's Parishioners Bryan, Texas. 1986.
5• Marshall, Elmer. flistoryal Brazos County. Austin, Texas: University of
Texas at Austin. Master's Thesis. 1937.
6. Moore, John William. A Sonia/ and Economic Study of the Italian
Settlement, Steele's Store. College Station, Texas: Texas A &M
University. Master's thesis. 1941. 65pp.
7. Nelli, Humbert S. From Immigrants to Ethnics: The Italian Americans
Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. 1983.
8. United States Congress, Senate, US. Industrial Commission on
Immigration and Education. Italians in the Southern States Abstracts
of Reports of the Immigration Commission (1911), pp. 566 -572.
9. Regent Immigrants In Agriculture. Part 24 of
Immigrantsi Industries 61st Congress, 2nd Session, Senate Doc. No.
633. June 15, 1910.
10. United States Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Statistics. The
Brazos River (Texas. Flood of june ,July 1899, and Its Elects Upon the
Agriculture of the Submerged Region Circular No. 10. Washington.
GPO. 1899.
11. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Institute of Texas Cultures. The
Italian Texans. San Antonio, Texas. 1973.
7
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Old Schoolhouse
Steele's Store Community
Old Cotton Gin
Steele's Store Community
Location of Proposed
Texas Historical Marker
Fm 50
Steele's Store Community
(Near highway sign)