The Llano News (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 105, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 27, 1993 Page: 3 of 20
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Llano Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Llano County Public Library.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
DONATION...Don Geist presents Llano County
Commissioner Marc Miller a check for $250
toward a sign (below) for the new Leonard
Grenwelge Park currently under development on
the county commons.
The dream of the late
Leonard Grenwelge to see Llano
develop all of Its rich potential
and to become the very best It
could be, lives on today In men
like Llano County Commission-
ers Marc Miller and local busi-
nessman Don Geist.
One of Grenwelge's pet pro
Jects was the park the county
voted to develop near the library
and along Llano's scenic,
spring-fed river.
In keeping with that vision.
Geist, a staunch supporter ancf
a friend,and admirer of Grem
welge, last week donated $250 ;
for Improvements In the park.
Miller said the county will use
the money toward a sign
designating the area as Leonard
Grenwelge Park. The proposed
sign, to be constructed of wood
and native stone, will cost about
After handing the check to
Miller, Geist. the owner of Hill
Country Communications in
Llano, said. "I knew Leonard
Grenwelge for 25 years, and I
know how much he thought of
the county he was born and
raised in. He was typical of the
generations of German people
who believed in helping their
neighbors and their community
they grew up in. He served as our
county commissioner for 10
years, from 1982 until 1992, and
he did all that was humanly
possible to better the counly
and the city of Llano.
"He was particularly inter
ested in the library and (in de
veloping) the county commons I
area as an attraction for Llano. [
He donated more time and labor I
to this area than was required or
requested of him. He would
come here on Saturdays and|
lifying the area. I think it's only I
fitting that the park is dedicated
to his memory for his friends
and family.''
Grenwelge never got to see
the park's completion -- or, for
that matter, the completion of
other plans he had for the bet-
terment of the community. His
death in an automobile accident
last year brought a sudden and
tragic end to his role in the ful-
fillment of those dreams.
In appreciation of Gren-
welge's unselfish dedication to
the county and city of Llano and
to the development of the new
park, the Llano County
commissioners on Jan. 25 of
this year voted unanimously to
name the park in his honor.
And today, his vision for the
park lives on. Miller, who was
"IPs got great potential to
show what Llano's (ill about, all
the historical buildings in the
area plus the scenic view of the
hills, trees and river." he said.
"And with some Interested peo-
ple and the necessary re-
make it even more scenic and
interesting. I'd like to encourage
people to come up with new
ideas for making it an out-
standing attraction for both lo-
cals and tourists."
Both Miller and Geist feel
that the park should compli-
ment Llano's rustic, early Texas
image reflected by the old
buildings located there and in
the immediate vicinity. Across
the street. Just west of Ford, the
old icehouse, the dam and the
Llano River bridge are included
in the 66 structures that form
Llano's downtown historical
district listed several years ago
In the National Register of His-
torical Places.
Miller said he would like to
add the usual amenities to the
park, such as playground and
picnic facilities, but his vision
goes far beyond that. He also
envisions developing a sort of
early Texas or pioneer village in
the area by relocating old and
interesting structures there and
installing information markers
that would relate their various
histories. In the background,
the river, bridge and dam would
add to the appeal.
"I’ve been told where there
are some old log cabins in Llano
County, and I plan to talk to the
owners about donating them to
the park," he said.
In keeping with this idea.
Miller said he would like for the
park's sign to match the rustic
one proposed for the library.
Both would use native stone and
wood with the letters sand-
blasted out of the wood, leaving
a raised effect. Native yucca and
other plants Indigenous to the
area would grace both signs.
The park's sign would face
FQtd Street. Split-rail fencing,
used la conjunction with the
sign, would separate the park
Son Ford Street then run east
and west, replacing wire fencing
that now runs along the edge at
a large concrete slab. Miller said
also that he would like to re-
surface the alab as a parking
area and for special attractions
such aa Santa Land and Her-
itage Day. and use the split-rail
fencing to also define the library
parking area. Pockets of land-
scaping here and there would
further enhance the park.
As another area of Interest,
the county plans to relocate the
setting of huge granite boulders
on U.S. Highway 71 lust east of .
town that once held a marker
commemorating the granite in-
vandals overturned the boulders
and stole the marker. The Llano
County Historical Commiaoion
will replace the commemorative
marker after the boulders are
set in place in the new park.
TVs got gnat potential
to show what Hanots
all about.”
Geist shares Miller's enthu-
siasm in developing the park to
emphasize Llano's unique as-
sets. "The thing that impresses
me so much about Llano is its
rich historical value, and the de-
sire of a lot of the people to
preserve their heritage." he said,
i see the park aa another addi-
tion to outstanding examples,
such as the library, in beautify-
ing the city and at the same time
preserving its image.
Tm pleased that Marc is
trying to carry out the same vi-
sion that Leonard had for beau-
tifying and bettering the city and
the county. The county can
count on me to continue sup-
port in the areas of historical
preservation. It will bring more
tourism into Llano. Tourism will
bring in money and not increase
the population; I'd rather see
tourism than industrialization."
Miller added. "This new park
Is for the people of Llano. I want
them to enjoy it We'd appreciate
any donations to help us finish
what Leonard started. The
county had only $1,000 to give to
the park, and It's already gone."
Miller said contributions may
be made to the county's
"Leonard Grenwelge Park Fund."
Notice
Llano County Banks &
Savings Banks
wish to inform their patrons that they will be closed
Monday, May 31,1993
Memorial Day
Arrowhead Bank
Llano National Bank
Lake Buchanan State-Bank
*Lake Buchanan 4 Kingsland * Burnet
Highland Lakes Bank, King,i,nd
Texas Trust Savings Bank
I
y
>1
i
ro ro
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Buckner, Walter L. The Llano News (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 105, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 27, 1993, newspaper, May 27, 1993; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1140501/m1/3/?rotate=90: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library.