SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 769

WHEREAS, In 1852, in spite of the danger posed by Indian raids at the time, a group of entrepreneurs acquired land on a cypress-lined bend in the Medina River; the following year, members of the group surveyed the town of Bandera and opened a sawmill and commissary; the town quickly became a thriving settlement due to the success of the founders' water-powered lumber mill; and

WHEREAS, In the years that followed, local farmers and ranchers prospered, supplying products to United States Cavalry troops at Camp Verde, raising and ginning cotton, and raising cattle, sheep, and goats; and

WHEREAS, In the 1870s, as the threat of Indian attack receded, the county became a staging area for cattle drives and the population grew markedly; it is estimated that between 1874 and 1894, 7 to 10 million longhorns and one million horses were driven by 30,000 cowboys to a staging area near Bandera, a major gathering point connecting with the Western Trail; during this time, Bandera became known as a place where cowboys could relax and buy supplies; and

WHEREAS, Dude ranching began in 1920 when the Buck Ranch took in paying summer guests, with the Bruce Ranch taking the overflow; in the 1930s, the dude ranching industry continued to expand and over 30 dude ranches were operating near Bandera; and

WHEREAS, Rodeos began in the 1920s when cowboys who worked on ranches displayed their skills at roundups and on cattle drives; the first advertised rodeo near Bandera was held at Mansfield Park in 1924; Bandera cowboys became rodeo world champions and were inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Bandera are heirs to a rich western heritage; today this charming town remains a living testament to the courage, talent, and vision of the men and women who shaped the Old West; since 1920 the community has been a popular tourist destination, each year drawing visitors from around the state and beyond to attractions that include area resorts, dude ranches, rodeo venues, and hunting and camping areas; and

WHEREAS, The wild and rugged western town of Bandera displayed the qualities and history of a cowboy capital long before the first printed reference naming it the "Cowboy Capital of the World" in 1948; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby recognize the rich history of Bandera, Texas, and pay tribute to its citizens' many contributions to the Lone Star State; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of the citizens of Bandera as an expression of highest regard from the Texas Senate.

Fraser

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 29, 2013.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate