Boerne White Sox

As Boerne’s Little League Team made its historic World Series run in 2024, baseball has deep roots in Boerne. The story of The Boerne White Sox right after this.

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On Johns Road heading west, just after you cross Cibolo Creek, look on the right for the stadium lights of Bower Field, where the ghosts of the Boerne White Sox last played. Other home fields were on Saunders and James Street near the Methodist Church, then on North Main where the lap track is behind the Mitchell Center…there was a field on the Kendall County Fair Grounds, and the “Ice Plant Field” on Plant Street…which is why it’s called Plant Street…that’s where they made ice.

Baseball came to Boerne around 1900, and the first picture of a White Sox Team is from 1912. Boerne White Sox players’ names you might recognize include Fabra, Ebensberger, Bergmann, and one you might not remember…Charlie English from the 1940’s who went on to play pro-ball with the St. Louis Cardinals.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM

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In 1862, when Kendall County was brand new, its people chose a young man — just 28 years old — to wear the star. The story of Kendall County’s first Sheriff…John William Sansom right after this.

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John William Sansom wasn’t just any lawman. Born in Alabama, raised in Texas, he’d already seen his share of frontier fights. He was a scout, a soldier, a man who could track through cedar and rock and not lose his way. And when the Civil War broke out, he was opposed to leaving the Union but stayed loyal to Texas. Sansom traveled to Austin and met with Governor Sam Houston to offer his services. Houston gave him a Colt revolver instead.

As sheriff, he rode against rustlers and bandits. Later, as a Texas Ranger captain, he faced far greater dangers — Comanche raids, border outlaws, and even the infamous Nueces Massacre, where neighbors turned on neighbors in a time of bitter division.

John William Sansom survived it all. He kept the peace when there was precious little of it. And he lived until 1920 to the age of 86 — and rests next to his wife Victoria in Mission Burial Park South in San Antonio.

I’m Tom Allred with Boerne Texas History

and this is Boerne Radio 103.9FM.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Live Oak Shopping Center, located on North Main at School Street, has had numerous businesses throughout the years…The Dollar Tree is one of the latest…but another 5 and Dime Varity Store located there named Winn’s had a Boerne connection. The story of Mr. Murray Arvin Winn Jr. right after this.

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At their peak, 106 of Winn’s stores dotted Texas and surrounding states—and then Walmart came to town.

Murray Arvin Winn, Jr. graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1935 with an accounting degree to help run the family business. After selling the stores in the 1950s, Murray saw something few others could see—pastures northeast of San Antonio… that he transformed into a brand-new community. He called it Windcrest.

And when it was time to retire… he and his beloved wife Barbee chose the Hill Country—settling right here in Boerne, worshipping at First United Methodist Church.

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