Related Collections

Jimmy Dodd Photograph Collection
This collection includes photographs and negatives; over 500 images, taken by pioneer Kingsville, Texas Citizen, James (Jimmie) Andrew Dodd. The photographs are mostly of Kleberg County and the surrounding areas throughout the first half of the 20th century.

Playhouse of Design Art Society Records
Correspondence, minutes, year books, printed annuals, calendars, scrapbooks and financial records for shows, calendars and yearbooks of the activities of the "Playhouse of Design" an art club originally begun by Mrs. Jake Trussell of Ricardo in January of 1960. Personal letters and speeches by past presidents and large scrapbooks for each year highlighthighlight the society’s activities.

Theodore F. Koch Collection
Theodore F. Koch (1854-1940) was a land speculator and developer in Minnesota and Texas. In Texas, he purchased land near Beaumont and in southern Nueces County. Koch developed and promoted the land purchased in southern Nueces County and two townships were created: Riviera and Riviera Beach. Koch also established the small railroad that ran between the two communities. Unfortunately, drought and hurricanes caused many setbacks. As a result, the two communities never expanded. Ultimately, Theodore F. Koch was more successful with his fig ranch near Beaumont and his oil leases from property though out Texas. In addition to these materials are the Carl C. Henry Papers, 1908-1972. Henry was a sales representative/manager for Theodore F. Koch & Co. and relative of Mr. Koch. This collection includes correspondence, abstracts and titles, financial records, and maps associated with the Theodore F. Koch Company.

Kaye Presley Collection
The Kaye Presley Collection contains Texas A&I memorabilia, King Ranch sale brochures, records from a variety of organizations and hundreds of negatives and photographs of students, faculty, and staff from the Kingsville and Riviera Independent School Districts taken when Presley was the Public Relations Specialist for the school districts.

Calvin Brown Family Collection
The Calvin Brown Family moved to Rivera, Texas in 1913. Calvin’s great-grandfather, Ignatius Loyola Underbrink, came first from Illinois to sell land for the Koch Land Company. Orlando Underbrink, Calvin’s grandfather, later purchased and developed Loyola Beach. Orlando built King’s Inn, a fish market, and cabins to rent. Margie Underbrink, the daughter of Orlando, married Robert Brown who worked at King’s Inn and invented their world famous tartar sauce. Calvin was born in 1952 and made his living as a fisherman in Rivera.