SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 400

WHEREAS, Proud residents of Dripping Springs are celebrating the history of their community at the 36th annual Founders Day Festival, taking place from April 25 to 27, 2025; and

WHEREAS, The city traces its origins to the 1850s, when the Moss, Pound, and Wallace families joined together to pursue their dream of moving to Texas from Mississippi; travelling by wagon, the "Old Three" arrived at the top of what is today known as Wallace Mountain in January 1854 and decided to settle among the area's rolling hills, rocky creek beds, and abundant wildlife; after John Moss was appointed postmaster in 1857, his wife, Indiana, named the frontier community in honor of the nearby springs that were fed by the Milk House branch of the Edwards Aquifer; and

WHEREAS, Dripping Springs served as a stagecoach stop between Austin and Fredericksburg, and by the 1880s, the town had come to support several businesses, including a steam-powered gristmill and cotton gins; entrepreneur W. T. Chapman created a 12-block city plan in 1881, and a school, a hotel, a livery stable, and several shops were soon established; farming and ranching remained the mainstays of the economy for the next century, but the expansion of Austin beginning in the 1970s helped convince Dripping Springs residents to incorporate the city in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Today, Dripping Springs is known as the Gateway to the Hill Country and has become a thriving part of the Central Texas area; it draws visitors from across the state and country, and retail and hospitality businesses have become an important part of the economy; moreover, the city hosts more than 1,000 weddings each year, and it has been designated as the official Wedding Capital of Texas; and

WHEREAS, The 2025 Founders Day Festival is organized by the City of Dripping Springs and the Founders Day Commission; the celebration features a range of attractions, including a parade, live music, arts and crafts, and a carnival, as well as a church service on the final day; proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations, churches, school and park programs, youth groups, and other charities; and

WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they look forward to a bright future, the citizens of Dripping Springs may take great pride in their continuing contributions to Hays County and the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commemorate the 36th annual Dripping Springs Founders Day Festival and extend to all those in attendance sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable event.

Campbell

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 14, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate