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Medina County History - a Perspective |
The official Rail Route Map published by the US Surface Transportation Board (STB) depicts all routes since inception.
Routes not allowed by the STB:
Routes allowed by the STB:
The STB later also allowed the Weiblen Modification to the southern end of the rail route. Vulcan/SGR stated that their favored route is the Eastern Bypass Route. with the Weiblen Modification.
The proposed 1760-acre quarry (one mile wide by three miles long) is on the northern end of all depicted rail lines, with the rail loop at the quarry's southern end. The rail line's southern end is at US Hwy 90, at the point the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crosses under Hwy 90 and heads south to Dunlay. The Vulcan/SGR rail line would join the UPRR line at Hwy 90.
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) was contacted by letter in October 2003 by the STB inquiring about the existence of historical features in the Quihi area.
The area's historical and archeological features are largely unknown to the general public. This area remains, for the most part, as it was laid out in 1870. Many of the locations of roads and fence lines are still in place. Descendants of the original settlers still own much of the land. Many original structures or their ruins still dot the landscape.
Dr. Tom Hester, noted archeology professor and author, commented in November 2003 on the poor quality of the initial assessment of the historic and archeological features of the Quihi area. His closing observation on page six reflects his deep concern for the preservation of this area.
In january 2005, the STB released the draft of the Programmatic Agreement (PA) which would dictate the treatment of any historic resources encountered by the construction of the rail line. Dr. Hester pointed out the deficiencies in the current studies and again urged a careful, complete analysis of the area and the many hidden sites waiting to be discovered.
In the year 2006, upon review of the unique historic resources in the Quihi area, and the threat that the proposed 1760-acre quarry and rail line would impose Preservation Texas placed the Village of Quihi on their list of Texas Most Endangered Places. MCEAA members at Preservation Texas. This is what they said. "The village of Quihi lies thirty miles west of San Antonio. Ancient Indian tribes named the area for the Mexican eagle and camped around Quihi Lake because of the abuntant game there. They left campsites with artifacts carbon-dated thousands of years old. In 1846 ten families came to Quihi Lake by oxcart from the Indianola seaport and established farms and homes. Many of the current 200 residents in this picturesque settlement are descendants of those original settlers. Quihi is threatened today by noise pollution and the deterioration to its sense of place because an aggregate company is planning a 50-year project to mine 200 million tons of crushed limestone near Quihi. Hundreds of 78,000 pound trucks and a 7-mile railroad with 400 railcars would travel through the Quihi area daily, posing serious risk to the structure and stability of the buildings." Threats included heavy truck traffic and the aesthetics of the rail line through the historic area. As a result, the STB ordered a more comprehensive study of the historical features of the area. This was conducted by Preservation Central of Austin and released in October 2006. It can be viewed on the STB website.
The Quihi and New Fountain Historical Society pointed out in January 2007, page 2, that although the eastern routes are less harmful, all routes would negatively affect the cultural and historic resources. There are undocumented sites along the Eastern Bypass Route. The letter's Exhibits 1 and 2 depict the drainage area which produces massive amounts of floodwaters that drain South through Quihi during heavy rains. The drainage funneled through the quarry operations area would exacerbate damage downstream. Many of the historic sites lie within the flooded areas downstream.
Richard Garay, researcher of the Tap Pilam Tribe of the Coahuiltecan Nation, asked to be included as a consulting party in the studies being conducted. This group descended from the indians living at the San Jose Mission. The Mission indians obtained their land grant for agriculture and grazing, the Ranco San Lucus, from the Spanish government on November 19, 1776. These lands extended all the way to Quihi. Mr. Garay submitted to STB much documentation of the history of his people and the land on which they lived and worked. On July 24, 1834, this same tract was sold to John T. McMullen, and the town of Castroville was established near the middle of this tract. See also Tap Pilam letter of August 2007.
The northern end of the Weiblen Modification dissects the Mangold Tract at 180+00to 220+00. This is the western endpoint of the historic Rancho San Lucus/John McMullen Grant. This area is known to be sensitive archeologically, and is the site of many seeps and springs which existed in ancient times and needs much more research. See Dr. Hester's letter.
In June 2007, the Section on Environmental Analysis (SEA) of the STB requested the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places to review data to determine eligibility of 2 rural historic districts - Quihi and Upper Quihi. The Keeper has requested additional documentation to establish these these districts in the area, adding New Fountain to the list. There has been no further known work on establishing these Historic Districts.
The STB, through the SEA working with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Texas Historical Commission and others, devised a Programatic Agreement (PA) which dictates how the project must be conducted to avoid, minimize, or avoid entirely, the cultural resources in the project area. The PA was finalized on February 13, 2008. The map of the Quihi and Upper Quihi Historic Districts are on page 39 of the PA.
As of September 1,2011 no work has begun on the proposed quarry or rail line.
Medina County Environmental Action Association, Inc. for your Home, Health & Heritage
