By: Armbrister S.R. No. 291
1-1 1
1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride
1-4 in recognizing the City of Columbus, the oldest surveyed and
1-5 platted Anglo-American town in Texas, which will celebrate
1-6 its terquasquicentennial, the 175th anniversary, on
1-7 May 14 through 17, 1998; and
1-8 WHEREAS, This historic community, located at the site of
1-9 an earlier Indian village called Montezuma, was settled in 1823
1-10 by members of the "Old Three Hundred," the pioneers who received
1-11 land grants in Stephen F. Austin's first colony; and
1-12 WHEREAS, In August, 1823, Stephen F. Austin, assisted by
1-13 Baron de Bastrop and Rawson Alley, surveyed 170 acres eight miles
1-14 above the Atascosito Crossing; this site was to be the capital
1-15 of the colony, but Stephen F. Austin, presumably influenced by
1-16 the frequency of Indian raids and a desire for a more centrally
1-17 situated capital, abandoned the location and selected a similar
1-18 spot on the Brazos River; the original site remained a small
1-19 hamlet known as Beason's Ferry, and the hardy inhabitants of
1-20 that early settlement reportedly adopted the present name of
1-21 Columbus in 1835, on the suggestion of a former resident of
1-22 Columbus, Ohio; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Many of the community's residents distinguished
2-1 themselves in the Texas War of Independence, and the town was
2-2 burned by Sam Houston's army in 1836 during the "Runaway Scrape"
2-3 to prevent its use by the Mexican forces; after the victory at
2-4 San Jacinto, Columbus was resettled, and the new townsite was
2-5 platted in 1837; and
2-6 WHEREAS, In the pre-Civil War days, Columbus emerged as
2-7 a prominent commercial center; cotton and other products were
2-8 shipped out aboard steamships and barges which navigated the
2-9 Colorado River; the railroad arrived in 1860, and the city
2-10 subsequently became an important processing point for Texas
2-11 cattle; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Throughout its long and illustrious history,
2-13 the City of Columbus has been one of the most distinguished and
2-14 responsible communities in the state; today, Columbus is enjoying
2-15 an era of renewed growth and prosperity, and the future indeed
2-16 appears bright to its optimistic and industrious citizens; and
2-17 WHEREAS, To honor the city's 175th anniversary appropriately,
2-18 its proud citizens are sponsoring a grand and festive celebration
2-19 from May 14 through May 17, 1998; numerous activities are scheduled
2-20 to entertain and delight the many local citizens and visitors who
2-21 will attend this historical terquasquicentennial celebration; and
2-22 WHEREAS, During the past 175 years, the City of Columbus
2-23 has contributed immensely to the growth and progress of the
2-24 State of Texas, and its reputation as a warm and friendly city is
2-25 richly deserved and a great credit to the state; and
3-1 WHEREAS, It is appropriate that the citizens of Columbus
3-2 be commended on their successful efforts in building one of
3-3 Texas' finest municipalities and that the City of Columbus be
3-4 congratulated on the celebration of its terquasquicentennial
3-5 anniversary; now, therefore, be it
3-6 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-7 75th Legislature, hereby commemorate the establishment of the
3-8 City of Columbus by members of Stephen F. Austin's original
3-9 colony in 1823; and, be it further
3-10 RESOLVED, That official copies of this Resolution be
3-11 prepared for the City of Columbus as an expression of the pride
3-12 and high regard of the Texas Senate.
3-13 ____________________________________
3-14 President of the Senate
3-15 I hereby certify that the above
3-16 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-17 on March 6, 1997.
3-18 ____________________________________
3-19 Secretary of the Senate
3-20 ____________________________________
3-21 Member, Texas Senate