The Blackland Museum

06/06/2026

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

Internationally known by his nickname of War Daddy, recognized nationally as the U.S. Army Tank Commander Ace of Aces (who still holds that distinction to this day) Lafayette Green Pool was born the son of a farmer, a son of San Patricio County and a venerated War hero of Texas. The following is an abbreviated story of a man of humble beginnings who left his mark on the history of Taft and on the United States Armed Forces.

According to the records Lafayette Pool (July 23, 1919 – May 30, 1991) was born in Odem, Texas, relocated to Sinton as a child, went to high school in Taft, and graduated from school by 1938. Because of an eye injury at age 5, Lafayette “Lafe” was involved in the Taft Pep Squad.

By his first year of college however, he entered amateur boxing in Kingsville, Texas to pay for his tuition and quickly gained a Golden Gloves Boxing Championship title in New Orleans, LA.

Prior to his enlistment he was given the chance to face off the Mighty Joe Luis, World Heavy Weight Champion, in an exhibition match. Lafayette, according to the reports, did not quite view the match-up as a “Just for Fun” event. He began beating Luis so badly, the match was called with no declared winner after Luis left the ring, bloodied and bruised. He continued to box even while in the Army but declined an offer as a Golden Glove Champ to box for a National Title.

Responding to the needs of the nation, being rejected by the Navy, Lafayette entered the U.S. Army instead and began training in the Armored tank Divisions. WWII European theatre, on approximately June 27, 1944, at Normandy, France, Pool arrived with his crew of the 3rd Armor Division 21 days after the initial assaults, aboard his famous Sherman M4A1 tank “In-The-Mood.”

SSGT Pool came at full speed and continued his fast-paced incursion into enemy territories until September 19, 1944. In a record holding 81 days, he and his crew are credited with 12 tank kills, 258-armed vehicles destroyed, 1,000 German soldiers eliminated and 250 prisoners of war captured. His part in the war ended when he was severally wounded by enemy shrapnel, mangling one of his legs.

In brief, Lafayette spent almost two years rehabilitating, learning to use a prosthetic leg. He rejoined the Army for the Korean War, and retired from service on September 19, 1960, as Chief Warrant Officer 2. He went into retirement, opened a filling station, went on to gain a theology degree, and became the pastor for the Church of Christ in Taft, Texas.

By 1990 he was living in Killeen, Texas outside Ft. Hood, home of the Third Armored Corp. As the Gulf War began on February 24, 1991, it is reported by family members that he sat glued to his T.V. agonizing over the tank battles as reported by the live media coverage, deeply moved to tears as he witnessed his 3rd Armored Division race through the deserts of Iraq.

Pool passed quietly into history in his sleep on May 30, 1991. Today he is interred at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Lafayette Pool left behind a record of fourteen Honors and Awards, including a Silver Star, a Distinguished Service Cross and a Purple Heart, but sadly, and still believed by many, he was deserving of … the Congressional Medal of Honor.

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.