R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, June 23, 2001, marks the 150th anniversary of Fort 1-2 Belknap, and the occasion provides an opportune time to recognize 1-3 this noteworthy part of Texas' heritage; and 1-4 WHEREAS, In 1851, the U.S. government, recognizing the need 1-5 to protect settlers on the western frontier, established a chain of 1-6 forts between the Red River and the Rio Grande; the key fort in 1-7 that chain was Fort Belknap, which was founded by General William 1-8 G. Belknap of the U.S. Infantry and was erected along the banks of 1-9 the Clear Fork and Brazos rivers near freshwater springs in Young 1-10 County; and 1-11 WHEREAS, In addition to protecting the citizens of the Lone 1-12 Star State, Fort Belknap became a hub of connecting roads across 1-13 central Texas; a stage line for mail and passengers ran between the 1-14 fort and Dallas, while the Butterfield Overland Mail Company 1-15 operated a line from St. Louis to San Francisco by way of Fort 1-16 Belknap; and 1-17 WHEREAS, After a brief period of overseeing the peace of the 1-18 community and neighboring Indian reservations, the fort was shut 1-19 down around the outbreak of the Civil War; although it was briefly 1-20 reactivated following the war, the fort lowered its U.S. flag for 1-21 the last time and officially closed in September 1867; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In 1936 the Works Progress Administration allocated 1-23 funds for the restoration of Fort Belknap, and today its place in 1-24 Texas history is preserved and celebrated as it is a proud part of 2-1 the Texas Forts Trail; now, therefore, be it 2-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-3 Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Fort 2-4 Belknap and extend to all those associated with its 2-5 sesquicentennial celebration sincere best wishes for an enjoyable 2-6 event. Hardcastle _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 917 was adopted by the House on May 18, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House