Commissioners approve proclamations related to Juneteenth
Caldwell County Commissioners approved two proclamations commemorating the Juneteenth holiday
Juneteenth, a federal holiday that is always celebrated on June 19, commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas and became a day of jubilation and liberation for former slaves and today is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in our nation.
The holiday, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The first proclamation commemorated the holiday itself, and the second acknowledged Saturday, June 20 as the official celebration for St. John Colony.
The Freedman Community of St. John Colony, Texas purchased 2,200 acres to establish The St. John Colony Emancipation Grounds, within a settlement already inhabited by Native American relatives and diverse settlers.
Reverend John H. Winn, Sr. and fourteen pioneer families developed churches, schools, cemeteries, farms, ranches, a general store, a post office, a cotton gin, grist and sorghum mills, and a community hall – incorporating Mackiesville, and the areas now known as Lower and Upper St. John in Bastrop County.
The first celebration was in 1872, and descendants of the founding fourteen pioneer families have continued gathering in the old-time tradition – with barbecuing, traditional recipes, singing, dancing, and fellowship – to honor and preserve this deep-rooted history.
- Voted to leave the burn ban off at the recommendation of Caldwell County’s Office of Emergency Management.
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Voted not to approve the Caldwell County Appraisal District’s 2027 Appraisal Budget on the basis of multiple proposed pay raises that the county judge said took money away that could be returned to the taxing entities. Half of the taxing entities in Caldwell County, which include the county, cities and school districts, have to vote to reject the appraisal district’s budget for it not to pass.
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Voted not to approve a resolution proposing amendments to the 2025 and 2026 budgets for the Caldwell County Appraisal Districts.
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Approved the acceptance of a CAPCOG 2026-2027 Solid Waste Grant that help fund more tire collection events.
- Voted to accept a $350,000 award from the state comptroller for the Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program. The proceeds from that grant can be used to purchase ambulances or help equip them.
This is a brief summary of discussion and action highlights of the June 11, 2026 regular commissioners court meeting. See full agendas and official meeting minutes and watch full video of the meetings.