Katy Heritage Society

08/13/2024

Thank you The Katy Times for the article!!

Check out our website for more information.

08/05/2024

2024 Ornament Reveal !! MEMBERS- check your email for exclusive preorder information and discount.

FOMO ?

Join now for $25 a YEAR per family to take advantage of all these amazing member perks AND support an amazing nonprofit.

www.katyheritagesociety.com/join

07/29/2024

$1000 towards your college, work certificaiton, training program or classes sound appealing? Click here for our ADULT and High School senior scholarship information!

Essay required or interview a Katy native for our Legacy youtube project to qualify.

Katy was founded by hard working visionaries who settled wild prairie, opened businesses, and created opportunity. In the spirit of our founders this scholarship is open to anyone who is seeking education to provide for their family, advance in their career, learn a trade or pursue higher education.

07/28/2024

Police Chief Pat Adams and Assistant Chief Gene Cullins were happy on this date in 1968. The city began operating a new two-way Motorola radio system which allowed city officials to contact the Katy police cars. They could also talk to Waller and Fort Bend County Sheriff departments and new Katy resident and Harris County Deputy, C. L. Templeton.

A request was published asking residents to please stop calling the officials at their homes - to call a special number for the police and they would be contacted via radio.

*Interesting fact...well before the time of radios Katy had another system of contacting local law enforcement. A string of lights up the pole in front of Miller's gas station and strung across Highway 73 (later Highway 90). If you needed help you'd drive there and turn the lights on. Over the mostly treeless prairie, the lights could be seen for miles and one of the deputies or the night watchman would respond by coming to the station to assist.

Photo is of Pat Adams with the city's first police car. We recently lost Pat Adams. Remembering him today.

07/28/2024

Pat Owen Adams Pat Owen Adams passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Katy, Texas. He was born on November 20, 1933, in Houston, Texas to Alton Bea and Lacye Owen. He grew up in Houston, Texas attending Jeff Davis High School and Sam Houston High School. He

07/15/2024

Katy Heritage Society would like to remind everyone of our 2024 Scholarship Opportunities.

Katy was founded by hard working visionaries who settled wild prairie, opened businesses, and created opportunity.
In the spirit of our founders this scholarship is open to ANYONE of ANY AGE who is seeking education to provide for their family, advance in their career, learn a trade or pursue higher education.

Please see our website for more information.

07/13/2024

This Modern Woodmen Lodge Hall, a large two story building was built in 1909 at the southeast corner of Second Street and Avenue C. The Modern Woodmen of America is a large fraternal organization, insurance company dedicated to community involvement. The lower floor was used for storage and the upper floor was a meeting place for many social events and lodge meetings. This building was torn down in 1945 and materials were repurposed in other buildings being built around Katy.

They would have parades through town and devoted particular attention to the treatment of tuberculosis. The local group, Welcome Camp # 11932 was active from 1905-1973.

The site of this hall is approximately where the Katy Crossing Icehouse is today.

06/21/2024

The new Tiger Field behind the school became a hub of Katy activity. The Katy Dads Club purchased lighting equipment for Tiger Field, the project cost about $1,000 and was raised entirely by donations, none over $10.00.

The last varsity football game was played here when the Katy ISD Stadium (later named Jack Rhodes Memorial Stadium) opened in 1981.

06/21/2024

05/28/2024

If you missed the steam train that passed through Rosenberg on Saturday, you can catch it on its return trip north on June 17th.

05/21/2024

05/21/2024

Katy Heritage Society was honored to assist Katy Elementary school with a history piece in their 2023-2024 yearbook!

Thank you for valuing the areas history and including us as part of the process.

05/12/2024

05/10/2024

What a great event!!

05/07/2024

🫶🏼

On August 25, 1951 George Werner was in Katy, Texas and took this very interesting image of the combination depot. On the Houston side (timetable south, to the right) is the 50,000 gallon cypress water tank.

When steam engines were powering passenger trains the engine was always to be stopped at the tank. That was great for southbound trains as passengers could board from the station platform. But, northbound passengers had to board or de-board on the ballast and walk between the platform and the train, prompting more than a few grumbles along the way.

Fortunately, the depot has been preserved and is now located within about 200 feet of the original location.

Image made by George Werner many years ago and appears with his blessing.

Katy Heritage Society

05/02/2024

One of the most fascinating thing about our MKT Depot Museum is our preserved coal graffiti on the walls in the freight room. Most of these are over 100 years old.

We were blessed to recently team up with the Historic Graffiti Society and they traveled from many states away to analyze the markings to look for genealogical, hobo and historical references.

See below picture for one of our first findings!

To Dam Hot FOR
me CANADA
Home Sweet Home

Full credit - Charlie Wray, The Historic Graffiti Society

05/01/2024

We are excited to be hosting this Katy Area Chamber of Commerce event!
Thank you, Humble Grounds Coffeehouse for sponsoring our coffee and breakfast ☕️

You must RSVP through the chamber website to attend!!

Don't miss out on next month's Chamber Connections! This lightly structured networking meeting gives members to share a 30-second infomercial about their business and what they do! Thank you to Katy Heritage Society for hosting and Humble Grounds Coffeehouse for sponsoring!

04/15/2024

Easter 2024

04/12/2024

KHS Class of 1977! Tag your classmates 🥳

Katy High School Alumni Association

04/12/2024

Thank you Kenny Jordan for sharing this treasure with us today !!

04/12/2024

1932 Katy School 8th grade - caption is to the best of our knowledge.

(L-R): Front Row: 1. Sammy Beckendorff, 2. Demond Alexander, 3. Charles Cardiff, 4. Kenneth McDonald 5. Earl Roesner, 6. Arthur Pearson (?)

Second Row from bottom:1. Guy Heckendorn, 2. Kenneth Peck, 3. Charles Scott, 4. Charlie Peck, 5. Leslie Thompson, 6. Louis Young, 7. Elvy Mathis

Third Row: 1. Maibeth Hoyt, 2. Rae Hoyt, 3. Lillian Morgan, 4. Roberta Wright, 5. Jack McClendon, Teacher, 6. Doris Cole, 7. Jessie Rae Southard, 8. Malvonee Bryan, 9. Frances Miller

Top Row: 1. Margaret Hill, 2. Wilma Vaughan, 3. Ruth Hoyt, 4. Genevieve Whitson, 5. Mary Ann Ernstes, 6. Nadine Uloth, 7. Berta Mae Monigold, 8. Leona Johnson

04/11/2024

Welcome Modern Pest Control as our newest Corporate Member of Katy Heritage Society.

https://www.getmypests.com/
281-214-8066

Modern Pest Control, a third-generation family owned and operated company, has been a proud defender of homes and businesses against unwanted pests for over 70 years. With a legacy steeped in dedication and an unwavering commitment to our local community, we take immense pride in delivering superior pest control solutions. Our experience, paired with our relentless pursuit of excellence, allows us to provide high-quality, affordable pest control services that ensure your property remains free from unwanted guests.

Modern Pest Control has been serving Katy, Cypress, The Woodlands & Greater Houston, TX for more than 65 years. Call us today to get rid of pests around your Houston area home!

03/31/2024

Happy heavenly birthday to our first president of the Katy Heritage Society !!!

Happy Birthday Mrs. Rylander 🎉
Mrs. Rylander would have turned 104 this year on March 31. It's so awesome that she is still and will always be such an impactful person to our campus. Hope we are making her proud!

03/30/2024

What a beautiful day we had! Hope our members had a great time!!

03/29/2024

Our Tradition Bank gazebo received this beautiful addition today thanks to Venus Construction and Modern Pest Control !!

Cupola and Goose weather vane were installed today to cap off the new roof that was recently installed thanks to The Rotary Club of Katy !!

03/23/2024

Bummer about the city event being cancelled this year :(

Don’t forget about our Easter 🐣 Event on Good Friday from 11-1 for members.

Join now for only $25 a year per FAMILY to join us! Tickets going fast on our website.

💻www.katyheritagesociety.com

03/21/2024

Today at Coffee with the Mayors- the city surprised former mayor Doyle Callender with his grandads 1950 Chevy starting again!

Mr Callender got to take it for a spin!!

What a sight 🙌🏼

Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum Official - City of Katy

03/20/2024

Preserving and protecting Katy history!!

We learn about some examples of efforts to repurpose historic structures - and no, we don't mean the Astrodome.