Rockne Historical Association

4065 FM 535
Bastrop, TX 78602

RHA Board Members

Thirty-eight people met in Sacred Heart Parish Hall to discuss the importance of keeping our history alive. Little did we realize the significance of that meeting or the accomplishments that would take place. Listed below are some of the highlights since its inception.

1991
Members of RHA initiated a project to save the surviving part of the Philip Goertz log cabin that had been used as a corn crib for the past 80 to 90 years.

June 24, 1992
A lot, near the church, was donated to RHA by Marian H. Nelson and named Hilbig Park.

October 2, 1993
First Annual Fundraiser with Smokey Stover, Country Western Singer, & the Herman Goertz band held at Rockne VFW. Bill Kadura organized a Chili Cook-off.

November 18, 1993
The Philip Goertz Pioneer Log Cabin was moved, in tact, to Hilbig Park under the leadership of Marian H. Nelson.

September 1993
Minnie L. Bartsch opened The Museum Room in the new Sacred Heart Parish hall.

February 5, 1995
Revival of old time "Box Supper Auction" custom by Mike Hilbig.

October 15, 1995
Dedication of Philip Goertz log cabin, Hoffman corn crib and Hilbig Park. Herman�s Band provided music and amplifiers.

December 14, 1996
Fr�hliche Wehinachten Y�all. First annual old fashioned Christmas Party at the Pioneer Log Cabin.

February 9, 1997
Annual meeting and fundraiser date and time set. A short business meeting is held, followed by lunch, a raffle, silent auction, and live auction.. The public is invited.

April 20, 1997
150th Anniversary Celebration at Meuth Hill.

June 29, 1997
Msgr. Alois Goertz autographs new Rockne Books. The history books are available through RHA.

October 22, 1997
RHA Board voted to approve the purchase of the lot adjacent to Hilbig Park for the purpose of building a new museum.

October 2, 1999
Old Tools, Tractors, Flywheel Engines, and miscellaneous items displayed by John & Ann Adams in conjunction with a Community Yard Sale held at Hilbig Park.

June 14th
Flag day is sponsored annually by Gerri Martinez, Catholic Life Insurance representative, who conducts the ceremony and donates two flags for Hilbig Park.

October 6th
German American Day is observed annually by RHA.

Labor Day Parade
RHA participates in Rockne Homecoming Parades the Saturday before Labor Day and has occasionally won first place in the Organizational Float division.

May 7, 2001
Webmaster Thomas Hilbig launches RHA Website for Pioneer and other features.

April 13, 2002
Ground breaking ceremony for the new RHA Museum.

June 14, 2003
Dedication of the new Rockne Museum at Hilbig Park.

November 20, 2004
Bluebonnet Electric Coop and the Lower Colorado River Authority granted $25,000 in matching funds for the restoration of the John T. Lehman cabin, a historical landmark in Rockne.

October 8, 2005
Dedication of the Lehman cabin and Ceremony by the Sons of Confederate Veterans to honor John T. Lehman who served in the Civil War.

March 4, 2006
The Unveiling of Knute Rockne Bust sculpted and donated by Jerry McKenna of Boerne, Texas.

November 11, 2006
Veterans Day Program initiated.

2006 - 2007
Extensive landscaping around Rockne bust and yards.

March 2007
Major refurbishing of Goertz cabin.

Official Logo

Our German ancestors coming by ox cart from ports along the coast to String Prairie and Rockne, Texas. Early pioneers tilling the land to sustain their families. Hilbig Park where pioneer life is recreated and German culture is preserved. Rockne Historical Association, the organization formed to honor our ancestors.