Historical Society of Helotes

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Historical Society of Helotes President Cynthia Massey on the audiobook release of her book, "Well of Deception."

Now on audiobook: WELL OF DECEPTION by Cynthia Leal Massey (CLM Books)!

Everyone knows who killed Maggie Schneider. But why?

Inspired by true events, WELL OF DECEPTION transports listeners to south central Texas in 1958, where the shocking murder of Maggie Schneider, known as the Poultry Queen of Lipan County, unravels a haunting history of family secrets, tragedy, and suspicion.

As the investigation unfolds, questions of insanity, accidental deaths, suicides, and long-buried resentments emerge, revealing a story far deeper than a simple murder mystery. Spanning from the Great Depression through the devastating drought of the 1950s, this richly layered historical novel explores the darkness hidden beneath generations of silence.

Look for it on your favorite listening platform or head to: stoneycreekpublishing.com/audiobooks

06/02/2026

In 1972, five Helotes pastors decided to celebrate the new national holiday of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18, as “Everybody Go To Church Sunday.” All five churches and their pastors within the community—Forest Hills Presbyterian (Rev. Samuel Terry, 1903-1989); Helotes Baptist (Rev. Walter C. “Rusty” Maddox, 1928-2023); Helotes Hills Methodist (Rev. Collin Furr, 1924-2025), Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic (Rev. Louis A. Trawalter, S.M., 1915-1990), and Zion Lutheran (Rev. Clarence L. Bohls, 1903-1977)—held special services for their congregations.

The five pastors, designating themselves as the EGTCS committee, issued a joint statement, “We would like to think that Father’s Day is particularly suited for this EGTCS project. As we honor natural fathers with this civic observance, it is a simple, deep and beautiful sequence to turn to the Heavenly Father of us all, the author and source of all life.”

Designated 58 years after the official recognition of Mother’s Day in 1914, Father’s Day came later because in the minds of many men, a day to honor fathers was not necessary and seemed unmanly.

To read the rest of the article, go to the June 2026 issue of Helotes Highlights Newspaper.

🔗 https://highlightspub.com/HH_6_26/HH_6_26.html

📸 Seated, left to right: Rev. Samuel Terry (Forest Hills Presbyterian Church), Rev. Louis Trawalter (Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotes) and Rev. W. C. Maddox (Helotes Baptist). Standing, left to right: Rev. C. L. Bohls (Zion Lutheran Church of San Antonio) and Rev. Collin Furr (HHUMC Helotes Hills United Methodist Church), June 9, 1972. Courtesy of the Historical Society of Helotes.

05/27/2026

Discover Helotes History—Become a Member Today!

The Historical Society of Helotes is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich stories that shaped our community and its place in Texas history. When you join, you help ensure that Helotes’ heritage is protected and passed on to future generations.

We offer three affordable annual membership options:

1️⃣ Individual – $20
2️⃣ Family – $30 (includes spouses and children under 18)
3️⃣ Business – $40 (includes two company representatives and a link to your business on our website)

Memberships run for the calendar year beginning in January. Join online at https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/membership OR download our membership form and mail it with payment to: PO Box 707, Helotes, TX 78023.

Visit our website to explore local history, genealogy resources, archaeology, and the many programs and activities we offer throughout the year. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to Helotes, there’s always something new to discover.

Help us keep Helotes’ story alive—become a member today!

05/22/2026

Early gas stations were called filling stations. In the decade starting in 1920, hundreds began to appear across the country and by the 1930s, there were well over 100,000 filling stations. Many included vending machines and water fountains. Service attendants wiped windshields, checked oil and water, and provided curb service. Service bays, such as the one attached to the Riggs Garage, now Old Town Depot Antiques, began to appear by the end of the decade.

Helotes businessman James Riggs (1879-1964) opened the full-service Esso gas station in 1931. He leased the station to the Humble Oil and Refining Company for several years. Humble Oil, later known as Exxon, took its name from the oil fields around Humble, Texas. In the US, the Esso name was largely replaced by the Exxon brand by the 1970s.

This garage was closed by 1950, when Riggs opened a new Sinclair station (now Mander’s Automotive) down the street. The old gas station building has been in use over the years as a shop for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company where wooden crates were repaired, an auction house, consignment shop, and antique shops.

Today, the Riggs Gas Station and Garage is Old Town Depot Antiques.

05/11/2026

Ten miles north of Helotes on Bandera Road, remnants of two wood and stone buildings are reminders of what was once a favorite stop between Bandera and San Antonio. Pete’s Place, a general store that was established in San Geronimo in the 1930s, was a convenient stop for farmers to purchase staples from the grocery store and later, gasoline for trips into town.

Pete’s Place was owned and operated by Pedro “Pete” Martinez (1891-1964) and his wife Louisa Valdez (1906-1986). The couple married in San Antonio in 1920 and settled in San Geronimo. They had seven children: Latto, Arthur, Emilio, Gloria, Vickey, Benny, and Martha. Eldest son, Latto (1922-2004), who eventually took over operation of the store, worked as a wrangler on a nearby ranch before enlisting in the Army during WWII, where he was involved in the Battle of Normandy. He was awarded the Purple
Heart for his service during that attack.

To read the rest of the article, go to the May 2026 issue of Helotes Highlights Newspaper.

https://highlightspub.com/HH_5_26/HH_5_26.html

05/07/2026

We’re celebrating National Historic Preservation Month in May! Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this annual observance encourages communities nationwide to honor and protect their unique stories. Keeping Helotes’ history and heritage alive through preservation and education is our mission and takes a community effort. Here are a few ways you can be involved:

1️⃣ Stop by the City of Helotes City Hall to check out our latest exhibit featuring “The Miss Helotes Scholarship Pageant.” You can view photographs, programs, and other items from various Miss Helotes Courts, proudly displayed in the Society’s exhibit case.

2️⃣ Learn more on our website about Helotes’ Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks buildings, the Gugger Homestead (now the Helotes Bicycle Shop), Marnoch Homestead (private residence at the intersection of Scenic Loop Road and Marnoch), and John T. Floore Country Store.

3️⃣ Take a walking tour through Old Town Helotes, featuring 12 historically significant structures. The HSH Historic Walking Tour map is available on our website and at three kiosks along the route in Old Town.

4️⃣ Donate to the Historical Society of Helotes’ Museum Fund to help the Society establish a museum in Old Town Helotes.

5️⃣ Join the Historical Society of Helotes! We offer three types of annual membership: Individual ($20), Family ($30), and Business ($40). Apply online at https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/membership.

For more information, visit the HSH website at https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org or email [email protected].

05/06/2026

A big thank-you to author Max L. Knight for his engaging presentation, “Ghostly Bugles: Echoes from the Past,” at our May 5 General Meeting. We truly appreciate you sharing your knowledge with the Historical Society of Helotes—and we’re grateful to everyone who joined us!

05/06/2026

Viva Fiesta! The 2026 Historical Society of Helotes Fiesta Medal is available now! This year’s medal depicts Hileman’s Hall and is the second in a series of HSH medals of historic Old Town buildings.

Originally built by Wilbert S. “Bert” Hileman (1873-1956) in 1913 as a dance and recreation venue called Hileman’s Hall & Scenic Loop Pool Room, now an event venue called Serenity Manor at 14405 Old Bandera Road, this spacious building with original hardwood flooring has housed a mercantile, church, restaurant, bar, sports store, and several special events venues.

Every HSH Fiesta Medal purchase supports our nonprofit’s efforts to preserve and share the rich history of Helotes. To purchase your HSH Fiesta Medal online, go to https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/store/ols/products/2026-hsh-fiesta-medal or stop by The Meadows Original Frozen Custard of Helotes.

04/30/2026

DEADLINE REMINDER – If you plan to attend our next General Meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, please either order a box lunch at https://historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/meetings OR send an email to [email protected] BY SUNDAY, MAY 3.

Our meeting will begin at 12 p.m. at the Gardens at Old Town Helotes, 15060 Antonio Drive. Our guest speaker is Max L. Knight, who will discuss the historical background that led to his novel, "Ghostly Bugles: A Novel of the Alamo.” Mr. Knight is an Army veteran, former Foreign Area Officer, Counterintelligence Specialist, and upon his retirement, the first volunteer docent at the Alamo within its Education Department.

04/28/2026

Arnold Gugger (1855-1928) built the Helotes General Store (now Cheetahlish) in 1881. He and his wife Amalia “Mollie” Benke (1860-1921) founded downtown Helotes with the purchase of 110 acres at the intersection of Helotes Creek and Bandera Road that year. Using rock from a local quarry owned by Arnold’s family, the couple built their homestead and this general store, which they operated as a family business for more than 20 years.

The Helotes General Store operated under different proprietors for several decades. Today, the General Store building is home to the Cheetahlish, a women’s boutique, and the back barrack houses B Daddy's BBQ restaurant.

To learn more about the history of the Helotes General Store, stop by 14436 Old Bandera Road to read the interpretive sign.