H.R. No. 1374
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Van Zandt County Historical Commission and the
citizens of Van are celebrating the dedication of a Texas
Historical Marker honoring Van Common School on May 21, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Van Common School opened in 1916 with 95 students
and 4 teachers; the school was formed from the consolidation of
Swindall and Spring Hill Schools; during its construction,
community members pitched in to haul 114 wagonloads of building
materials to Van from Grand Saline in order to keep down costs; and
WHEREAS, In May 1928, the school was destroyed by a fire; the
school district was able to quickly secure the funds to rebuild the
school through its insurance payout and the issuance of school
bonds; Van Common School reopened on its original site in time for
the 1928-1929 school year; and
WHEREAS, The school began the 1929-1930 academic year with 90
students; in October 1929, oil was discovered within a mile of the
school, leading to a population boom that transformed Van from a
small farming community into a bustling town in a matter of weeks;
the forward-thinking school board and school administrators
anticipated that they would need to prepare for rapid growth in the
school district, and they worked to secure funding for a new high
school and elementary school, which both opened in the fall of 1931;
the district also had to contend with the disruptions caused by oil
drilling operations taking place within 500 feet of the school,
which led to classes being moved to a temporary site a short
distance away; and
WHEREAS, Van Common School played an integral role in the
life of Van, and recognition by the Texas Historical Commission
ensures that the school's noteworthy history will be preserved for
future generations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of a Texas Historical
Marker at Van Common School and that all those involved in securing
the historical marker be extended sincere appreciation; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Van Zandt County Historical Commission as an
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Flynn
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1374 was adopted by the House on April
28, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House