By: Cain, Nelson S.R. No. 194
1-1 1
1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great
1-4 pleasure in joining the citizens of Ellis County in celebration
1-5 of Ellis County Day at the State Capitol on February 25, 1997;
1-6 and
1-7 WHEREAS, Ellis County, with an area of 953 square miles in
1-8 North Central Texas, is bounded on the east by the blackland belt
1-9 which extends through the center of the county and varies from a
1-10 gently rolling terrain to a level plain; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Ellis County is home to many cities and communities,
1-12 including Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Red Oak, Ovilla, Ferris,
1-13 Palmer, Bristol, Avalon, Bardwell, Italy, Milford, and Maypearl,
1-14 and many other fine communities; and
1-15 WHEREAS, The earliest inhabitants of the county were Tonkawa
1-16 Indians, and buffalo were often hunted; one of the first settlers
1-17 was W. R. Howe, who located near the site of Forreston in
1-18 July, 1843; and
1-19 WHEREAS, At an election held in August, 1850, Waxahachie was
1-20 chosen as the county seat; the county was named for Richard Ellis;
1-21 and
1-22 WHEREAS, On August 19, 1850, William Hawkins presided over
1-23 the first Ellis County Court, which on August 23, 1850, authorized
2-1 the expenditure of $59 to construct a courthouse; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Ellis County has been recognized as one of the leading
2-3 agricultural counties in the state since its first settlement in
2-4 1843; and
2-5 WHEREAS, The coming of the railroad in 1871 attracted top
2-6 industries from throughout the United States; and
2-7 WHEREAS, The first school in Ellis County was organized at
2-8 Milford in 1855 by Michael Dickson, and today Ellis County is the
2-9 home of two highly regarded colleges, Navarro College and
2-10 Southwestern Assemblies of God University; and
2-11 WHEREAS, The City of Midlothian in the western part of
2-12 Ellis County is home to Chaparral Steel Company, Texas Industries,
2-13 Holnam Texas, and North Texas Cement Company, making Midlothian
2-14 the Cement and Steel Capital of Texas; and
2-15 WHEREAS, The City of Ennis in the eastern part of Ellis County
2-16 is a cultural center of Czech ancestry, and all of its citizens
2-17 are proud and industrious, making it a resourceful and responsible
2-18 community; and
2-19 WHEREAS, The Red Oak/Ovilla area in north Ellis County off
2-20 Interstate 35 is only minutes from downtown Dallas and the D/FW
2-21 International Airport; and
2-22 WHEREAS, The City of Waxahachie in central Ellis County
2-23 serves as the seat of county government and home to Ellis County's
2-24 greatest historical landmark, its unique redstone courthouse built
2-25 in 1895; known as the Gingerbread Capital of America because of its
3-1 hundreds of beautifully restored Victorian homes, Waxahachie is the
3-2 centerpiece of rich historical pride; and
3-3 WHEREAS, The Mahoney-Thompson Home along with the Ellis County
3-4 Museum in Waxahachie, and the Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum
3-5 in Ennis, showcase hundreds of antiques and artifacts concerning
3-6 the history and heritage of Ellis County; and
3-7 WHEREAS, Waxahachie has one of the only remaining Chautauqua
3-8 Auditoriums; built in 1902, it brings thousands of visitors each
3-9 year to Ellis County; and
3-10 WHEREAS, Filmmakers recognize Ellis County for prime movie
3-11 locations, and Waxahachie was noted by the Los Angeles Film Makers
3-12 Association as "The Best Little Hollywood in Texas" and
3-13 "Vintage America in Mint Condition"; and
3-14 WHEREAS, Tourists are drawn to the many events and annual
3-15 festivals in Ellis County; Ennis hosts the Texas Motorplex, the
3-16 Bluebonnet Festival, and the National Polka Festival; the
3-17 Scarborough Faire Renaissance Festival and the Gingerbread Trail
3-18 Historic Home Tour occur in Waxahachie; the historic Larkin Newton
3-19 Cabin is a tourist attraction in Midlothian's downtown area; Italy
3-20 hosts the annual Tour de Italia, a 100-mile tour which draws
3-21 hundreds of bicycle enthusiasts; in addition, many fall festivals
3-22 and parades are held by communities throughout the county; and
3-23 WHEREAS, Proud of their great history and heritage, the
3-24 residents of Ellis County have taken recent steps to restore many
3-25 of the historical homes and landmarks to their former grandeur;
4-1 many cities throughout the county have participated in the Texas
4-2 Main Street Project; and
4-3 WHEREAS, All of the cities and communities of Ellis County
4-4 are preparing for economic development from commercial, industrial,
4-5 and residential growth due to its excellent school districts,
4-6 responsible citizens, and access to the Metroplex; and
4-7 WHEREAS, The many contributions of the citizens of this modern,
4-8 energetic county are cause for great appreciation by all Texans;
4-9 now, therefore, be it
4-10 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
4-11 75th Legislature, hereby recognize February 25, 1997, as
4-12 Ellis County Day as a gesture of highest esteem and in recognition
4-13 of this remarkable county's contributions and achievements; and,
4-14 be it further
4-15 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
4-16 Ellis County in recognition of its celebration and as an expression
4-17 of congratulations from the Texas Senate.
4-18 ______________________________________
4-19 President of the Senate
4-20 I hereby certify that the above
4-21 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-22 on February 25, 1997.
4-23 ______________________________________
4-24 Secretary of the Senate
4-25 ______________________________________
4-26 Member, Texas Senate
4-27 ______________________________________
4-28 Member, Texas Senate