Off of Beardsley, a couple blocks west of Main Street is a memorial to Havilah Beardsley. Says he purchased the land from the Native Americans, laid out the city and established the first flour mill, wood mill and card mill. He was the first doctor as well.
Patricia and Martin De Leon were Tejanos during the time of the war between Texas and Santa Ana of Mexico. They did not support the Mexican government but were for a free Texas. They established a community with about 50 families called De Leon's Colony. It was about the only Tejano established community in the area as most settlers in this area were from America. They had ten childen, four boys and six girls. They had a large property and helped to fund the Texans during the war. Martin died in 1833 of cholera. His wife continued to manage the ranch. It was also she who provided financial support and logistical support to the Texans and Tejanos who fought the Mexican army. Several of her sons were also active in supplying Stephen Austin.
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| Martin de Leon |
The Bonelli House tour is great. It tells briefly the story of the Bonelli family, but more importantly has some great items from the past, 1915 to about 1970. The Bonelli House is the home of George and Effie Tarr Bonelli. George was gthe son of Mormon pioneers and Effie the daughter of the Train Station master. They were married in the South Methodist church across from their home in 1895. They owned a large cattle ranch operation. They were also into other local businesses such as turquoise jewelry. Their original home had electricity. It was made of wood and caught fire, perhaps from a short. They rebuilt within a year this home just to the east of the original. It had Tufa stone and fire resistant plaster. Also had an escape from every room. The copula was a natural cooling system to let the heat out through the roof.
In addition to providing a good history of the Native Americans in the area, Miami and Potawatomi, the museum also gives a good history of the people coming to Elkhart County. Significant points in Elkhart history includes the develop of mills,the development of medical devices, the manufacturing of musical instruments, becoming a train hub, and the dominance of the St. Joseph River.
