Aubrey establishes board, invests in structures downtown
The city of Aubrey’s new Historic Commission’s first projects will focus on historic homes and the creation of a historic downtown district, starting with the recently purchased peanut dryer.
The commission, originating from Director of Operations Leanne Wilson, will join the city in using a new historical preservation ordinance to “protect and enhance landmarks and districts which represent distractive elements of the city’s history,” City Man- ager Charles Kreidler explained.
“You will begin the see changes and improvements to the downtown area this year and the historic commission will be able to assist by ensuring the heritage of Aubrey is enshrined in our downtown image,” Kreidler said. “A lot of work will need to be down to plan and create the district, but the first step is to put the commission in place.”
The inaugural members include chair Randy Tarlton, co-chair Vinita Tribble, Darlene Wilson, Louise Brumfi eld and Melba Baxter.
Members were recommended by museum volunteers and the city council, staff asked for “members that would be representative of [council’s] constituents who have a desire to create a downtown area that will bring in business and citizens,” Kreidler said.
Among the names are several who have been a part of the community for several decades, like Tribble.
“I moved here when I was two, and my husband and I lived her till 1978 but moved away during most of our adult years,” Tribble said. “When he retired, he built us a home back here in Aubrey back in 2005.”
Aside from her history in the town, she served on the Tarrant County Appraisal District for 30 years and endorsed the commission’s current goals.
“There are properties in town that people will want to take care of and keep, so it’s a good goal,” Tribble said.
The commission has only just had its first meeting, where members received training on the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act, Tarlton explained, though he had more to say about the historic houses goal than the historic district.
“The way the city secretary described it is we’re looking at the historic homes in Aubrey from the early 20s to late 19th century and trying to catalogue them and see if we can make a brochure of the historic homes or a drive by tour,” Tarlton said. “The homeowner can request it, or we’ll go to the homeowner.”
He spoke to the value of cataloguing the city’s history through its longest standing buildings, including homes, landmarks like the peanut dryer, and downtown buildings.
“A lot of us don’t know the stories, so it’s about any historical sites that would be interesting both to newcomers and people who have lived here a long time,” Tarlton said.
Though the members have not yet had a true meeting beyond training, Kreidler shared a little more about the city’s intentions for the board.
“They will consider the historical designation of the peanut dryer at their next meeting, and then we will begin the process of identifying other buildings and landmarks to protect for future generations,” Kreidler said. “The creation of the commission is a small step forward for the city of Aubrey.”
He continued. “Many citizens have comments on having a robust downtown that draws business and supports events for our community,” Kreidler said. “We are in the beginning stages of creating and nurturing a main street concept for the downtown area that everyone will enjoy.”
