Heritage Tourism

We ADVOCATE for Tourism everyday • Educate our citizens of the value of the industry • Inform elected officials and business leaders on the importance of economic development and how tourism improves quality of life • Interact with City officials and over 12 city departments • Produce the Economic Impact Study every two years • Support the growth of this industry including Riverwalk, Convention Facilities and our International Airport expansion • We keep an “eye and ears” on all issues related to tourism, by reviewing weekly City Council agendas and special meetings • We keep our stakeholders informed of proposed legislation or potential changes to city ordinances • Facilitate meetings for our industry and members • We help our City leaders to welcome new tourism businesses • Create more economic development by helping potential investors and developers What we have accomplished • Successfully lobbied support for major projects underway in San Antonio, including Convention Facilities expansions, Airport expansion, Convention Center Hotel, PGA and future JW Marriott Resort • Lobbied to City Council during city budget process for additional funding for CVB advertising and marketing • Assisted in the renovation and improvements for Alamo Plaza • Supported many city and Airport efforts for more non stop airline service, including Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Aeromexico • Lobbied state officials with tourism partners to start school after August 21 • Assisted state representatives and senators with various bills introduced to help tourism and business in general • Supported efforts to sustain level of funding for state tourism, including efforts to merge Tourism and Economic Development departments under the Governor’s office • Conducted on average every year over 25 area presentations to civic organizations, schools on the economic impact of Tourism • Worked with San Antonio Police Department for past 6 years creating a Security Task Force to increase communication and training for area hotels and attractions • Supported tourism educational programs at both St. Philip’s College and UTSA • Started Economic Impact Study 6 years ago with the assistance of professors Richard Butler and Mary Stefl of Trinity University. The study is done every two years. • Successfully lobbied with industry support the need to have additional advertising funds after September 11 • Supported efforts to extend and improve the San Antonio River and express support for the San Antonio River Oversight Committee’s efforts • Successfully implemented changes to various city ordinances who may have otherwise affected our members with additional fees • Partnered with area CVB’s and regional partners to create a better understanding of industry and bringing the Hill Country area to participate • Created more communication among all area organizations and partners with quarterly meetings and more interaction on specific issues

The Site of the Johnson Ranch on Town Creek, the site of present day Johnson City, was at a very old crossroads. A north-south route from Blanco to the Colorado River was known as early as Spanish Times. Miranda in 1579 passed this way crossing the Pedernales in the vicinity of Johnson City on his way to inspect the supposed Silver deposits near Llano. McCarty Spring just four miles to the northwest of town was a favored way station for travelers between Austin and Fredericksburg. Andrew Jackson Johnson, an older brother to Tom and Sam Johnson, located his home near this spring in 1858 or 1859. Topography and the conditions of early day travel by horse or horse and wagon had long established this section of the Pedernales Valley as a natural stopping place and cross-roads. However, none of the early sites grew into a lasting settlement other than as Ranch stations. When Lyndon B. Johnson’s Grandfather, Sam Ealy Johnson, Sr., gave up his cattle-driving business (driving cattle up the Chisholm Trail had become unprofitable), he and his brother, Tom Johnson, sold out their interests to a nephew, James Polk Johnson. The nearest post office, mill and general store were located fourteen miles south in Blanco/Pittsburg. There were still renegade Indians roaming the area as well, so travel over any distance was viewed with great apprehension. For that reason, settlers in the north end of Blanco County began to plan for a city in the northern area. In 1879, a barbecue was held at the springs on Town Creek located on the Johnson Ranch. At this meeting three sites for a town were offered, and the one accepted by vote of the settlers was a 320 acre plot of land on the Pedernales River offered by James Polk Johnson. After the decision, his many friends took him up on their shoulders and cheered him for his victory and for the decision by the residents to name the new town after him. James Polk made the transition from rancher to businessman very successfully. It was the organizational ability of James Polk Johnson that converted a natural way station to a settled community and a county seat. James Polk’s Grist Mill was a steam-powered cotton gin and gristmill on Town Creek. Principal crops in this area were corn and cotton. In the early 1940’s the gin was purchased by George Crofts and converted to a milling and grain operation, which flourished until the late 1970’s. By the time of his premature death at age 40 in 1885, James Polk had built the first gristmill, the Pearl Hotel and had under construction the building (now the Johnson City Bank) that was to be a general merchandise store. This building came to have the first jail in its basement, and served as the first Johnson City courthouse. The first church congregation (Methodist) met in an upstairs room of this building until their church building was constructed, and later Lyndon B. Johnson had his local offices in this building constructed by his second cousin. Blanco County was created on February 11, 1858, from Burnet, Comal, Gillespie and Hays Counties. In establishing the county the legislature mandated that the "county set thereof shall also be called Blanco and should be within five miles of the center of the county." Judge William E. Jones of Curry’s Creek was appointed by the legislature to organize the county. Following the formation of Kendall County in 1862 from portions of Blanco and Kerr Counties with the subsequent loss of territory and population on the south, pressure grew to move the seat of government. This was the major factor in the relocation of the county seat to Johnson City in 1890. The boundary line changes had positioned Johnson City within two miles of the center of the county.

Caddo Lake has been called the most beautiful lake in America by many who see it. It is also a lake of mystery and history. It is the largest natural lake of fresh water in the south, covering about 26,800 acres at 168.5 ft (sea level). The acreage can fluctuate easily to over 35,000 acres at times of high water levels. Half the lake is in Texas and half in Louisiana. It is less than 20 miles of southwest Arkansas. There are 4 watersheds that supply Caddo Lake: Little Cypress Bayou, Big Cypress Bayou, Black CypressBayou, and Jeems Bayou.

SEKTDA is making a difference in Kentucky The Company’s Coming Initiative In September of 2000, Congressman Hal Rogers formed a partnership with Kentucky’s Secretary of Tourism, Ann Latta. Together they unveiled the ‘Company’s Coming’ tourism development initiative for Southern and Eastern Kentucky. ‘Company’s Coming’ programs utilize tourism promotion and development as the catalyst to bolster local economies

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About Kentucky New to Kentucky? This section provides some quick information on our history, culture and traditions. You can also download brochures and maps to help you plan a trip or learn more about our great commonwealth and Unbridled Spirit. Brochures & Maps There are two ways in which you may obtain our guides and brochures. You may order them via mail direct to your doorstep, (allow 10-14 business days for delivery) or you may download them and view them from your computer. Printed materials are available by mail only in the U.S. and Canada. International visitors are invited to download the Official Visitors Guide or any of the brochures offered on-line. View online Kentucky Facts History Modern archaeologists classify Kentucky's prehistoric past into six cultures, which spanned from 13,000 BC to 1,650 AD. Learn more… Facts Learn about what makes Kentucky unique. Here you can discover our resources, economy, cities and other information. Learn more… Government The section provides information on the structure of Kentucky’s government. Learn more… Symbols & Traditions Learn more about our state flag, songs, animals and flowers. Learn more… Famous Kentuckians Some are legends, some were presidents and some have written beautiful music. They all have one thing in common and that’s Kentucky.