Elgin Oral History Project

07/25/2026

The Elgin Oral History Project July 2026 Newsletter has arrived!

Every story we preserve helps connect generations, celebrate our shared heritage, and ensure that the voices of Elgin's past continue to inspire its future. This month's newsletter is filled with updates, community highlights, and the incredible people who make this project possible.

Whether you've shared your family's story, volunteered your time, attended one of our events, or are just discovering us, thank you for helping us preserve Elgin's history—one conversation at a time.

Read the July Newsletter here: https://oralhistoryetx.org/eohp-newsletter



Texas Historical Commission Texas Brazos Trail Visit Elgin, TX City of Elgin - Municipal Government

07/03/2026

06/05/2026

Ed Rivers is a fifth generation native of Elgin, Texas, with a rich family history dating back to the late 1800s. His ancestors owned a mercantile company and were involved actively in banking, ranching, church, and civic affairs for 150 years. Ed has continued the tradition by living and working in Elgin, as well as raising a family of four children with his wife Karla, a third generation Elginite. Ed’s recollections of school, family, friends, businesses, and events reflect his love of the community—its people, culture, and heritage—and demonstrate why he is respected for his honesty and trustworthiness.

Curious to hear the full conversation? Head to our website and click “Interviews.” https://oralhistoryetx.org/

Credits:
The interview was conducted by Deborah Cartwright with assistance from Bob Makela, both members of the board of directors of Elgin Oral History Project. Ms. Cartwright was raised in Elgin and is a fifth generation native of Bastrop County. She practiced law and worked in the public sector for over 30 years and retired in 2021 to spend more time volunteering with civic and non-profit organizations and enjoying her family and friends.

Mr. Makela is a skilled interviewer who has enjoyed a 40-year career as a writer and editor for magazine profiles, documentary and feature screenplays, television scripts, books, film treatments, rock star stories, and a syndicated newspaper column. His music documentary recently premiered on Netflix in Brazil and has received high praise. In addition to these endeavors, Mr. Makela has taught school and broadcasts his own podcast. Having moved to Elgin about eight years ago with his wife Molly, Mr. Makela is interested in sharing his talents and expertise through endeavors to preserve the community’s history.

03/23/2026

Sue Beckwith is a long-time resident of Elgin, Texas, who has been deeply involved in community initiatives concerning local food, historic preservation, and the sustainable development of rural cities, like Elgin. She worked closely with her dear friend, former Mayor Marc Holm, on various projects, including the restoration and preservation of the original homestead of Mary Christian Burleson. Sue is responsible for efforts to establish local food initiatives. These efforts include farm-to-kids after-school programs in the Elgin Independent School District, agricultural programs at the Austin Community College campus in Elgin, and the establishment of the Elgin Local Food Center for several years. Sue was the start-up manager for Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill, the first commercial organic feed mill in Texas, and Jeremiah Cunningham’s World’s Best Eggs, both in Elgin. Sue is the founding Executive Director of the Texas Center for Local Food, a non-profit organization headquartered in Elgin, focused on supporting local food economies across the state.

The interview was conducted on December 17, 2022, by Jacque Smith, who has lived in Elgin since 2015. Jacque has enjoyed a rich career as a teacher, writer/editor, trainer, and an award-winning visual artist. She has generated a body of contemporary abstract art that has been exhibited across Central Texas. In 2012, she joined Carol Ikard to co-write “Touching Fiber Arts,” a coffee table book chronicling national exhibitions during the first five years of the Texas Museum of Fiber Arts. Jacque served on the board of directors of the Elgin Oral History Project from 2022 through 2024 and continues to be engaged with the organization through volunteer activities.

For Sue's story, visit the link to our website >> https://oralhistoryetx.org/sue-beckwith

City of Elgin - Municipal Government
Texas Center for Local Food
Texas Historical Commission
Traces of Texas
Elgin Texas Farmers' Market

02/27/2026

02/27/2026

Welcome Lillian Reyes-Gates to our Elgin Oral History Board of Directors.

Lillian moved to Elgin as the world welcomed
the 21st century, together with her late
husband, Bruce Stewart Gates. She graduated
from the University of Texas at Austin with a
B.S. in Home Economics, concentrating in
Nutrition and Child Development. She also
obtained a master’s degree in Nutrition from
the University of the Incarnate Word in San
Antonio.

Lillian lives by the principle that one must
know one’s family history, values, education,
and sense of purpose in order to have a quality
life and contribute to one’s community.
Locally, Lillian is a member of the Elgin Arts
Association, Elgin Garden Club, Friends of the
Elgin Library, Elgin Historical Association,
and the Elgin Oral History Project.
On a statewide level, she serves on the
Executive Board of the Texas
Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Foundation.
Lillian served as President of the Austin
Dietetics Association from 2001–2002 and as
President of the Texas Dietetic Association
from 2003–2004. She fully retired in 2017 as
Special Projects Manager and Chief Dietitian
with the Quality Monitoring Program, a
program she founded.

02/10/2026

Welcome Charlotte Swenson to our Elgin Oral History Project Board of Directors.

Charlotte Swenson grew up in the Kimbro
area, as did her parents. Her family moved
from Kimbro to Elgin in 1971. She graduated
from Elgin High School in 1976 and started
her education in the medical field as a
radiologic technologist. She worked for an
orthopedic group in Austin and in 1986
completed her education to become a radiation
therapist. She worked as a radiation therapist
for over 27 years. The last five years of that
career were spent as a traveling radiation
therapist. She retired from that field in 2012
and started teaching x-ray physics at the
College of Health Care Professions. She
retired from full-time teaching in March 2025
and is now teaching part-time.

She had a son, Jacob Maynard, who was
born in 1984 and tragically died in a car
accident in 2014. She met Tim Fender from
Missouri in 2004, and they married in 2014.
She has one sister, Jan Swenson. She was one
of the original Hogeye organizers and was a
volunteer for many years. She is co-founder of
the Grow Elgin Project, a networking group
for local folks. She also started the sMall
Mall, an event that allows kids to select gifts
for their family members free of charge.

Her hobbies include anything related to
homesteading, and she is the proud
producer of "Ears to Ya" cornbread mix.
She is excited to serve on the Elgin Oral
History Board and is looking forward to
preserving the wonderful history of our
town.

02/08/2026

We welcome Byron Mitchell to our Elgin Oral History Project Board of Directors.

Byron Mitchell is a dedicated community
leader and public servant residing in Elgin,
Texas. A proud 1980 graduate of Elgin High
School, Byron has deep roots in the community
he continues to serve with passion and
commitment.

Byron enjoyed a successful 28-year career
with Abbott/Hospira Inc. before retirement, and
currently works with the Texas Department of
Public Safety.

His commitment to public service extends
well beyond his professional life. He serves as
President of the Elgin ISD Board of Trustees,
where he helps shape the future of education for
local students, and as President of the Elgin
Juneteenth Organization, preserving and
celebrating an important part of the community's heritage. Byron is also an active member of the MLK Holiday Commission.

Faith and family are central to Byron's life.
He is a Deacon and founding member of Strait
Gate Fellowship Baptist Church.

Byron was married to the late Winnie
Milligan Mitchell and is the proud father of
three children—Byron, Brent, and Jessica—and
"Paw Paw" to his grandson, Nyles Mitchell.

In his spare time, Byron enjoys singing and
spending quality time with family and friends,
always finding joy in the connections that matter
most.