The Blackland Museum

05/29/2026

please, Join us at the museum

05/13/2026

Borrowed from Friends of the Blackland Museum: (Mural dedication ribbon cutting, May 19th, 3 P.M., the public is invited to attend:
Located at 301 Green Ave. Taft, Texas
Call 361-528-2206 (Thur. - Sat). for further details.

05/09/2026

Exploring Everyday Life and Tales of the Coastal Bend of Texas – McKamey
by Patrick King, MA

Among one of the longtime families of the Coastal Bend which made a significant impact on the history and development of San Patricio County is the McKamey family. They developed a relationship with the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Company just before the turn of the 20th century, helping to supply the needs of Taft Ranch, their ranch office as well as the Jospeh Green mansion, La Quinta by 1908, all based at the McKamey Dry Goods Mercantile store in Gregory.

Hailing from Tennessee, by the early 1890’s the family relocated to Gregory in San Patricio County, Texas. By 1894, McKamey family head, John Samuel Monroe McKamey constructed the two-story tall McKamey Dry Goods Mercantile building in town, (which still stands today). Within a few years of that, the CFPC headquarters in Gregory moved its own office space into the second floor of the mercantile operation.

However, by 1923, the Pasture Company built their own structure in Taft, Texas, eight miles north and moved out of Gregory. In Taft, they occupied the second floor of that building, now it is recognized as the Taft Blackland Museum. The McKamey building continued as a dried goods store for many years. By October of 1926, Joseph Green, superintendent of the CFPC passed away.

His widow Emma Mae Green decided she could not manage La Quinta alone, the McKamey family converted their second-floor space, (once the CFPC office) into an apartment building for Emma. As the years advanced, the McKamey’s successfully expanded into farming, adding to their land holdings by purchasing acreages as the CFPC sold off their assets during their closing years.

The McKamey’s not only influenced farming and agriculture, but they also spread out into oil and gas operations; many of those sites are still in operation to this day.

In the context of historical documentation, J.S.M. McKamey’s brother, William, during the Civil War, produced military records while serving with the Confederate Army, detailing numerous scrimmages he had engaged in against Union Forces in 1864.

Those records, now owned by the Blackland Museum, along with a detailed account of McKamey Family history are available at the museum library today for interested researchers.

04/30/2026

Individual photos of the new murals...https://www.facebook.com/100063556779372/posts/1573097714818773/?mibextid=CDWPTG

04/07/2026

Exploring Everyday Life and Tales of the Coastal Bend of Texas – Tunnell’s of Taft
by Patrick King, MA

Among the many long-established families in or around Taft, Texas which have left an impacting memory and have been one of the most beloved were Doctor’s John Wesley and Rosalie (Rose) Newman Tunnell. For those individuals born from 1946 until 1984, still living in and around Taft today, many attribute their health, existence and wellbeing in part to the care and medical attention given to them by this team of medical practioner's as well as two other physicians of that time period, namely Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Tasch.

John Wesley and Rose Tunnell began their civilian medical careers in Taft in 1946 immediately after WWII. Pediatric medicine was Rose’s specialty. By 1969, she was credited as being the first female physician and the only pediatrician in San Patricio County.

Both John and Rose were graduates of Baylor Medical School, Dallas, Texas, 1942. Rose was the only female in her class at that time. Following graduation John joined the Army Air Force and was discharged in 1946, as Captain Dr. John Tunnell.

The Tunnell’s were very devoted to their careers and engaged in numerous civic organizations and personal activities. These ranged from Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, photography, amateur history and archaeology, Kiwana’s, medical associations, pediatric societies, local area clubs, church functions, and were founding contributors to the establishment of the Taft Blackland Museum.

One of John’s personal passions was history and archaeological research. His collection of Indigenous Native artifacts from the Karankawa and Lipan Apache tribes of Texas became museum quality donations; most of them are housed today at the Blackland museum. Photography was another passion. Several of these collections are cared for by the museum as well.

The Tunnell’s received many well-deserved recognitions and awards in their tenure as citizens of Texas, the most impressive of them was awarded by the State of Texas House Resolution No. 417 of the 70th Legislature on April 27, 1986, for their work with the Blackland Museum.

Dr. John passed in 1999 and Rose in 2002, leaving behind four children, thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

03/05/2026

Exploring Everyday Life and Tales of the Coastal Bend of Texas – FLOERKE Mention and other Discoveries
by Patrick King, MA

When exploring and researching the various families of the Coastal Bend having long term histories, extending back into the Pasture Company years, another family emerges which needs a shout out; the Floerke’s.

The Floerke’s within the immediate area of Taft, Sinton, Gregory, Portland, Rockport are names most area residents have heard of or encountered over the years. They are a well thought of family, hardworking, established farmers, devout, caring and pillars of their communities.

The Floerke line is widely scattered all over Texas and has distant roots extending from Wisconsin, New York and New Jersey. It is not a “common” name in-so-far-as what would be considered common. The Floerke name and line appear to have a strong root in or around Lower Saxony, Germany. There are genealogy traces of Floerke’s found in Amsterdam.

The surname Floerke was originally spelled ‘Florke’. It is Germanic, and means’ Florus’, Flowering, or Blooming.

By way of presentation and a shout out to some of the local Floerke family members, this month’s publication wishes to mention several individuals this author became familiar with.

First is the Sam G. Floerke Farms, as well as the former (owner Neal) of the Floerke Veterinary Clinic (presently the Cross Point Veterinary Clinic). Farming family of Roy James (1930-2017) and Ora Marie Dowling “P. D.” (Precious Darling) Floerke (1933-2025) P.D. and Roy are fondly remembered by the Blackland museum and their service to the Board of Directors. Their loss still brings a depth of sorrow. Fred Floerke, farmer (1925-2010). William A. and wife Mary Evelyn Floerke. (William, 1928-2021) (Mary Evelyn 1925-2019).

William and Evelyn were farmers and philanthropists, fondly remembered for helping to create a local Foundation for the Deaf and elderly hearing impaired. Because of their great efforts in this field, the City of Taft in 1983 declared October 8th, the William and Evelyn Floerke Day. Their names are also inducted into the Texas School for the Deaf Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame.

Historical surprise twist. During this author’s research into several families of mention in previous stories, namely the Hunt and the Green family, through genealogy record of my mother, Stella M. Dalton King, I am a sixth cousin twice removed from Fenton Edward Hunt (aka Edward Fenton) a Tennessee ancestor of John W. Hunt Sr. My wife, Dawn is sixth cousin four times removed from Joseph French Green’s first wife Jennie Abba Sausser and seventh cousin to Mary Fay Green Hunt. Hello cousins. it is indeed a small world.

03/03/2026

It is with great sorrow, The Museum has experienced yet another sad and deep loss. Ms. Yolanda Valle, one of Tafts great teachers and Museum assistants has left us...
Ms.Yoly is remembered fondly at the museum for the numerous school children and classrooms she brought to visit us, the donations she contributed to the Museum's natural science exhibits and all the enthusiasm she poured into all her education and care for the youth she taught. She will be missed immensely.
Our deepest condolences to the Valle family for your loss....

https://www.facebook.com/100064850314207/posts/1426315699540094/?mibextid=CDWPTG

View Yolanda Maria Carranza Valle's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 1 tribute posts from the community.

02/10/2026

Exploring Everyday Life and Tales of the Coastal Bend of Texas Part II – The Hunt’s
by Patrick King, MA

Among the various families that were involved in the development of San Patricio County and or involved in the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Company were the Hunt Families.

Many of the Hunt’s started entering the region in the early 1900’s, coming from Williamson County, Texas. The following Hunt members in this account are Samuel Franklin “Frank” Hunt, John Washington Hunt Sr. and Bruce Harland Hunt. All three were cousins, though related at different age levels and dates.
The link connecting them was their great ancestor Edward Fenton Hunt from Tennessee. In the latter-half of the1800’s, several Hunt families left that State, relocating in mass to Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas.

By 1901, Frank’s father, Samuel (1864-1927), following the prospect of work moved to San Patricio County and found employment with the Taft Ranch, the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Company.

By 1907, Samuel moved his family to the Porter Ranch in Mathis, Texas where 21-year-old Frank (1886-1963) found work as a deputy sheriff. By 1922, he was elected Sheriff of San Patricio County until 1940. 1948, he was reelected to the Office and retired in 1960, serving for a total 30 years. His tenure became legendary, remembered to this day. Frank’s extended family remained in and around the county working farms and businesses for many generations.

John Washington Hunt Sr. (1885-1956) married a noted figure in San Patricio County history, Mary Fay Green, (1887-1969) daughter of Joseph French Green, the Superintendent and general manager of the Taft Ranch. John’s son, John Washington Hunt Jr., (1923-2019) as a child, would recall in later years, while playing in his backyard at his family farm. anxiously watching and waiting for his grandfather Joseph Green to come horseback riding to see him every day on his way home from Taft, heading to his house at La Quinta on Gregory Bay.

Bruce Harland Hunt, (1915-1989) a second cousin to Frank and John, while living in Rockport temporarily, would meet and marry Mary Lou Davis Hunt, (August 1932-July 2023). Both successfully operated a construction business for years, B&M Construction. After Bruce passed in 1989, Mary, a talented seamstress would go on to operate several businesses in Taft and became a valued member of the Board of directors of the Taft Blackland Museum for many years.

01/05/2026

Exploring Everyday Life and Tales in the Coastal Bend:
A Life Touched by History
By Patrick King, MA
Edited by Dennis Wade

This story is dedicated to an individual whose life was forever changed by the touch of history. For the past twelve years, Richard Garcia has been the heart and soul of the Taft Blackland Museum in Taft, Texas. As the museum’s Administrative Assistant, his is the face visitors remember, and his legacy is woven into the very archives he protected.

Born in Corpus Christi in 1949 and a graduate of Roy Miller High School, Richard’s journey into the past began far from the Texas coast. While serving on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971, he was stationed in West Germany. It was there, among the soaring architecture and ancient castles of Europe, that his passion for history was ignited. During a recent interview, Richard noted that his fascination with the past truly came alive as he traveled through Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, Wales, and Luxembourg.

Before finding his way back to history, Richard dedicated decades to public service. After gaining certification in the emergency medical field, he served as a caregiver between George West and Sinton from 1995 to 1999, eventually becoming the EMS Supervisor for the City of Mathis. Later, he served as a halfway house director until medical challenges led to a period of semi-retirement.

In 2014, a unique opportunity allowed Richard to turn his lifelong passion into a second career. Joining the Taft Blackland Museum, he spent over a decade organizing the museum’s vast collection of antique maps and preserving the oral histories of Taft residents—tales stretching back over 135 years. Richard found deep inspiration in these stories, dedicating himself to sharing them with anyone willing to listen.

As Richard enters full retirement in December 2025, the Taft Blackland Museum faces a profound loss. His dedication to the "tales of the bend" will be sorely missed, but his work ensures those stories will live on for generations to come.

12/06/2025

Exploring Everyday Life and Tales of the Coastal Bend of Texas,
A Testament of History
by Patrick King, MA

Have you ever had an encounter with a total stranger, only to marvel afterwards at how small the world really is when you realize you are connected to that person? For example, the author was attending a medical appointment at a VA facility recently. While waiting, another veteran approached the sign-in desk, announcing his last name to which the author is related to. It was discovered that the author and fellow veteran had family ties, they are distant cousins. Exploring everyday life and tales takes on a whole new meaning.

Our history as humans, at certain intervals, has the potential to connect each of us in one form or another. Sometimes the personalities of family members of the past leave their mark in characteristics on their posterity to a great extent.

Here’s another example of interconnection with the past. In the life story of movie actor John Wayne, his on-screen character he presented in most of his Western movies was another man’s personality. Wayne, in his early years, worked as a behind the scenes assistant and budding actor for Director John Ford. Ford, in the early 1920’s, wanting authenticity to his western films, had hired the legendary and aging lawman Wyatt Earp, as a consultant to his films.

Wayne became good friends with Earp and began to imitate every trait, every hand gesture, every swagger, every expression and mannerism Earp displayed. He carried these into his acting. In other words, if you see a John Wayne western movie today, and you notice his expressions, the way he presents his character on-screen, you are witnessing Marshall Wyatt Earp the way he really was in life. You are observing a living history.

In the progression of Everyday Life and Tales of the Coastal Bend of Texas, the objective is to share as many personal stories of peoples and families from this area as possible; how their personalities still affect us today, in our own march through history.

On a final note, there are individuals who are nothing like their ancestors. Most older Texans know the name John Wesley Hardin. Many people are not aware that there are individuals residing in Taft who have a familial connection to that famous gunman.