BUILDING COMMUNITY

1921-2021 BUILDING COMMUNITY

MAX STARCKE PARK: AN ICON OF THE SEGUIN CHAMBER’S LEADERSHIP LEGACY

The Chamber’s 100th anniversary provides an excellent name recognition has helped our furniture business to thrive opportunity to highlight key accomplishments and for 42 years. I also think it is bene cial to stay involved with spotlight visionary leaders like its rst paid executive, various community organizations because people like to do Maximillian Hugo Starcke. business with people they know.”

In the early 1900s, Max Starcke was instrumental in the Along with Starcke Furniture, Frank and Hilmar are proud Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce’s formative years. He to have a park named after their family. Since the park’s guided other business leaders in the Chamber and city to o cial opening in 1938, Max Starcke Park is a continued acquire a scenic 43 acres along the Guadalupe River in 1933 source of pride for residents, tourists and the state of Texas. that would later bear his name. It was a pivotal time for the e Starcke golf course is one of the last “parks” style courses city and the Chamber. Historical records show the park was in the state. Today, the park encompasses 227 acres, including nanced through the Works Progress Administration created an 18-hole golf course, disc golf, baseball and softball elds, a by Franklin D. Roosevelt — a bill to stimulate the economy wave pool, amphitheater, hike, bike and paddling trails, a dog during the ongoing depression. Robert Hugman developed park and more. the site plan and design for the park. He later became famously “It’s the top attraction that’s open to all in the city,” Hilmar known as the architect of the San Antonio Riverwalk. said.

“Yes, my great uncle Max was quite the organizer and go- Starcke Park is known for several other things — from getter,” long-time Seguin resident Hilmar Starcke said. its origins in a sprawling pecan orchard to its reputation for

Max served the city as mayor and was later recruited by hosting spring training for the 1922 Chicago White Sox. e Lyndon Johnson to manage the Lower Colorado River park has recently served as the venue for many baseball and Authority, Hilmar said. softball tournaments, Fourth of July reworks shows, family

“My brother Frank and I are living out the legacy of reunions, and much more. Residents and the Starcke family Chamber involvement that our great uncle and grandfather were particularly proud of their community asset when the H.H. Starcke started before us.” H.H. Starcke served as Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) recognized Max president in 1925 and again in 1933. Starcke Park as one of six “2018 Lone Star Legacy Parks” for

In Starcke fashion, Hilmar has stayed involved with the its historic and distinctive signi cance. Chamber, both as a board member and various committees. Flagship Reminder of Local Leadership His brother, Frank Starcke, is one of the original Chamber “Both Max Starcke and Starcke Park have played a vital Ambassadors — 37 years and counting. role in the development of Seguin throughout its history and

“I have done this for decades because I truly enjoy the Chamber’s rst 100 years,” Chamber President Kendy welcoming new residents and businesses to town, and helping Gravett said. “ e Starcke family continues to be one of the them integrate into the Chamber and community,” said Chamber’s longest, most loyal supporters, for which we are Frank, who has lived in Seguin most of his life. “I believe that deeply grateful.”

1921-2021

TLU: ONE OF THE EARLIEST SUCCESS STORIES WITHIN THE CHAMBER’S LEGACY

Texas Lutheran University’s story began in the late 1800s free utilities,” Dr. Cottrell said. “Residents may not realize that when the Seguin Chamber of Commerce was then there were three possible sites in Seguin, and that is why we known as the Men’s Business Club. have a College Street downtown — assuming that is where it e college originated in Brenham, about 115 miles away would be located. Instead, the Lutherans decided to locate the from Seguin and was initially known as Texas Lutheran College, school farther west on the Fritz farmstead”. says historian and current TLU President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. Records show that the farm was owned by Louis Fritz, who

“It is so interesting to me to learn that Lutheran leaders were was both a Lutheran and a member of the Mens Business Club.

concerned about the school’s long-term future in Brenham, knowing Blinn College was also in the area,” Cottrell said. “At the same time, Seguin leaders were seeking to bring a college to town as an anchor institution for the future.”

Strategic conversations took place at Seguin’s First National Bank, where Seguin representatives o ered Lutheran leaders an attractive incentive package to relocate.

“ ose Seguin business leaders in 1910 were savvy enough to recruit the college by o ering them a sweet deal — 15 acres of land, $24,000 cash and the promise of 10 years of

In exchange for the generous incentive package, the college pledged to take charge of the building program, stay at least 15 years, and commit to keeping a robust curriculum.

“I love that part of the story because we are still talking about our strong curriculum today,” Cottrell said.

Eventually, the college expanded into a university, o ering a variety of degree plans. e TLU president is thankful to the Seguin Chamber for this impressive and continuing success story, especially when the university celebrates record enrollment of 1,400 students and a new strategic plan that will guide its academic program and its links to its hometown into the future.

“Reaching the 100-year milestone is quite an accomplishment for the Chamber and says a great deal about the importance of this type of organization that looks ahead to strengthen the success of our region,” Cottrell said. “No doubt the Chamber will be needed now more than ever to bring people together as we move forward from the current pandemic and beyond.”

One thing is certain, Texas Lutheran University leaders — and students — will continue to support events and partner with the Chamber for decades to come, knowing it is critical to Seguin’s future.

1921-2021

General Manager and Partner of KWED/ SeguinToday.com, Darren Dunn, says he became involved with the Seguin Chamber “because it felt like the place to nd the heartbeat of the local business community.”

“It always stuns me to hear a member or prospective member say they don’t know what the Chamber is doing for them,” he says, “because in reality the Chamber is ALWAYS working for members and the local business community via the shop-local initiatives, providing networking opportunities, and collaborating with city leaders to make sure policies and laws bene t local businesses and industries.” “We can easily trace new business that has resulted from our tradeshow or Chamber event,” notes Dunn.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Dunn believes this Centennial anniversary marks an was even 100 years ago. It has a strong reputation for being exciting time for the Chamber. Although the pandemic hit balanced – leaders know when to get involved in important retail pretty hard, the housing and manufacturing sectors issues and politics without it being all-consuming. Seguin are going strong. is on the precipice of tremendous growth – and poised to

“As the Chamber continues to promote the Seguin handle it,” he adds. “ is is a great time for business and business community, it will be more relevant today than it our Chamber.”

“As the new Police Chief for Seguin, I believed Leadership Seguin would be the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about all facets of the community. Not only was I able to do this during the program, but I developed lasting professional relationships with my fellow classmates. I now have friends I can call on across the community and they have a direct line to the Police Department any time they need help or have questions. I would highly recommend Leadership Seguin to anyone who understands the value of networking, building relationships, and just learning more about this wonderful community.” -Terry Nichols, Chief of Police Seguin Police Department “Th e Leadership Seguin program through the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce provided me the opportunity to engage with what makes Seguin a special place: the people. I had the opportunity to connect with business professionals, public service employees, and other community members. Th e experience that I had with the Leadership Seguin group helped jump start my career in the city of Seguin. Th e connections that I made are everlasting and I would not have been able to develop my current relationships without my involvement with Leadership Seguin.” - Steve Gonzales, Seguin ISD

THEN & NOW

Democratic Club Created

1892 1895

Renamed Seguin Board of Trade Formed League of Business Men & secured lighting on city streets

1902 1910

Recruited Texas Lutheran College to Seguin

League of Business Men renamed Chamber of Commerce

1921

TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

THEN & NOW

1922 Charles E. Tips – president

Projects: baseball, roads, hospital and industry

1924 W.F. Lovett – president

Propositions to city include: National Pecan Show, recommendation that Lutheran College raise its standard to a Junior College; completion of the dams along river

1925 1926 1928

Recruit Chicago White Sox Training Camp and game vs. New York Giants

Entertained the Teachers Institute, investigation of fake stock schemes, development of highways and roads, new equipment for the Fire Department, stocking streams with sh, re insurance rates reduced, better livestock campaign H. H. Starcke elected president; helped secure the necessary land for the construction of dams on the Guadalupe River; helped to recruit and pay portion of the salary of County Agricultural Agent

Recommendations to City Council: car for Fire Chief, obtain area water puri cation plant

A.J. Wirtz – president