Fourth of July, 1902

 Note: This column was written three days before the tragic flood that hit Kerr County on July 4, 2025. I was writing it for publication on July 5 and the press deadline was early, due to the holiday. In the back of my mind I knew it was probably a bad idea to write about an event, Kerrville's July 4th Celebration on the River, if it hadn't happened yet.  Unfortunately, the Guadalupe River, Mother Nature and the course of history had other plans for the Fourth of July, 2025 in Kerrville.

Thousands turn out for big July 4 celebration in 1902

Published in the Kerrville Daily Times on July 5, 2025

Dressed in suits and dresses, Kerrville locals attend the July 4 picnic at the West Texas Fairgrounds.

By the time this column is published, Kerrville’s Fourth of July celebration will be over. I hope everyone had fun celebrating our nation’s birth at the Fourth on The River celebration in Louise Hays Park, or wherever you happened to be. 

The hard working folks at the Arcadia put together a great party in the park that has become an Independence Day tradition our community anticipates every year. For at least the last 35 years, Kerrville has enjoyed some kind of Fourth of July celebration in Louise Hays Park. The event has been hosted by a number of different organizations over the years, with every celebration ending with a spectacular fireworks display.

But how did earlier residents of Kerrville celebrate Independence Day?

I can help answer that question with a photo that was taken more than 120 years ago. The photo captures a group of men and women standing in front of a big structure of some kind, with a pavilion tent to the left of the group. I found this photo amongst a collection of old family photos. There was a note scribbled on the back of the photo that said “July 4 barbecue.” 

My grandfather, William Lanza Council (now you know where my weird name came from) and his first wife, Leah Steagall Council, are the short couple at the far right of the picture. The lady to the far left may be my aunt, Lucy Sing, and the woman to her right may be Susie Steagall. I am fairly certain that the young man on the left holding an umbrella and the woman to his right are my uncle Evandor Council and his wife, Goda Steel Council.  

A relative who has the same photo in his collection says that the man in the center of the photo is the only person identified on his copy: Colonel Taylor. I may have to do research on Taylor and find out who he was.

I believe this photo was taken sometime between 1900 and 1905. My grandfather and Leah Steagall were married on July 1, 1900. “Uncle Eva” married Goda Steel on June 30, 1905. 

I did some research on Fourth of July celebrations in Kerrville in the early 1900s, and this is what I came up with.

On June 7, 1902, there was an announcement in the Kerrville Mountain Sun that the firemen of Kerrville’s Hose Company No. 1 would host a “celebration at the Kerrville Park on July 4.” At that time, the “exact nature” of the entertainment had yet to be decided on, but the full arrangements would be announced the following week.

The full announcement came as promised in the June 14 issue of the Sun: “A big picnic and barbecue will be given at the Kerrville Park, July 4th, under the auspices of Kerrville Hose Co., No. 1, closing with a Firemen’s grand ball at night. Everybody is invited to assist in making this the grandest entertainment of the kind ever pulled off in Southwest Texas. An extensive program of amusements will be prepared, and everything possible be done to insure the enjoyment of those who attend.”

On July 2, a performance of “Rip Van Winkle” was held at the Opera House — now known as the Pampell’s building downtown on Water Street. Members of the community starred in the production. Some of the actors included L.A. Schreiner, Roger Remschel, John Mosby and Josephine Gist.

The paper encouraged community involvement, stating “Everybody should turn out and lend their support in behalf of the Firemen, the money realized will be used to make the barbecue at the Park on the Fourth a memorable event and one never to be forgotten.”

The cost of admission to the play was not given in the article relating to the play.

At last, the big day of the barbecue and Firemen’s Ball arrived. The July 5 issue of the Mountain Sun proclaimed that the barbecue was a “Great Success” and that the “Fire Boys done themselves proud.”

The article said that 2,500 people from all walks of life stood “elbow to elbow eating barbecue, and drinking black coffee, joking and laughing and enjoying the dinner in the fullest sense.”  The paper went on to say that the barbecue was one of the greatest social events Kerrville and Kerr County has ever known. 

Along with barbecued meats, black coffee, bread and pickles, attendees were treated to an address by a Houston politician that was “short and timely.” There was also a foot race, a sack race, high jump, ladies’ foot race, greasy pole climbing, wheel barrow race, a baskeball game and “good entertainment.”  

The article also said that the 2,500 attendees were “packed like sardines” into the grandstand.

Side note: On the same page, next to the account of the barbecue and Fireman’s Ball, there was a review of Kerrville Dramatic Society’s production “Rip Van Winkle.” The paper called it a pronounced success and said the company will present the same play in Fredericksburg “soon.”

The “Kerrville Park” mentioned in the articles about the barbecue may be the local nickname for the West Texas Fairgrounds. I believe this because, at that time, the fairgrounds were the only place with a grandstand in the area. 

The grandstand at the West Texas Fairgrounds, courtesy of Joe Herring, Jr.

The fairgrounds were built in 1899 in what is now known as the Five Points area of Kerrville. Every summer for several decades, the fairgrounds was the location of a county fair-type event that drew visitors from all over Texas. 

If you look into the distance of the photo of my assorted relatives, you’ll see a structure in the background. I believe that may be the back of the grandstand at the fairground.

I have studied that photo many times over the years and have picked out many details — from the crates stacked in the pavilion tent to the pouch hanging from a lady’s belt. It looks like my grandfather and his family had a good time at the fair.

Since most of the ladies in the photo are holding on to their hats, I believe the event was blessed with a breeze to help combat the July heat in Texas. The men used umbrellas to provide shade. 

As elegant as everyone looks in this photo, I am so happy to be living in a more casual time. I can’t imagine what it was like in a suit coat or a long dress and corset at a Fourth of July barbecue in Kerrville.