H.R. No. 530 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Throughout the history of the Lone Star State, 1-2 Colorado City has played a central role in shaping the culture, 1-3 economy, history, and mythology of West Texas; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Colorado City is the county seat of Mitchell County, 1-5 whose majestic plains were once blanketed with herds of American 1-6 bison, providing fertile hunting grounds for the Kiowa and Comanche 1-7 Indians; a quintessential frontier community, the town was 1-8 established following the creation of a Texas Ranger camp in 1877; 1-9 and 1-10 WHEREAS, Three years later, the Texas and Pacific Railroad 1-11 chose Colorado City as the first stop along the West Texas route, 1-12 which stretched from Weatherford to El Paso; the company's crews 1-13 began grading the rail line in 1880 and by the following year, the 1-14 first train passed through Colorado City, ushering in a new era of 1-15 conquest and prosperity for the Texas frontier; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Colorado City was the first boomtown in West Texas, 1-17 growing in only one year from a quiet town of only 700 residents to 1-18 a bustling and exciting city of more than 5,000; a place where 1-19 fortunes were made and lost overnight, the city quickly became the 1-20 supply, shipping, and recreation center for West Texas ranchers and 1-21 was affectionately called the "Cattlemen's Capital" throughout the 1-22 Southwest; and 1-23 WHEREAS, After the conquest of the Texas frontier, this 1-24 remarkable town served as a supply and shipping hub for the 2-1 flourishing cotton and feedgrain businesses in the area; shedding 2-2 its image as a rowdy cowboy town, Colorado City became a favorite 2-3 destination for families, earning it the nickname the "Mother City 2-4 of West Texas"; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In more recent years Colorado City has continued to 2-6 contribute to the West Texas mystique, holding the distinction of 2-7 being the site of the first commercially successful oil well in the 2-8 Permian Basin; this well, the T & P No. 1 in the Westbrook Oil 2-9 Field, was discovered in 1920 and is still an active producer 75 2-10 years later; and 2-11 WHEREAS, In addition to serving as the historic and economic 2-12 center of West Texas for many years, Colorado City is considered by 2-13 many experts to be located at the geographic center of West Texas, 2-14 which traditionally has been defined as that area of the Lone Star 2-15 State west of Fort Worth and San Antonio; and 2-16 WHEREAS, For almost a century and a half, Colorado City has 2-17 occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of Texans 2-18 everywhere, and it is indeed fitting that this exceptional town be 2-19 given special legislative recognition for the important role it has 2-20 played in the cultural and economic development of West Texas; now, 2-21 therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-23 Legislature hereby designate Colorado City as the Heart of West 2-24 Texas; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for prominent display in Colorado City as an expression of 2-27 highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives.