83R6647 JGH-D
By: Springer H.R. No. 671
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Vernon and Wilbarger County are
gathering to celebrate Wilbarger County and City of Vernon Day at
the State Capitol on March 6, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Situated upon the rolling grasslands of North Texas,
Wilbarger County was once part of the buffalo hunting grounds of the
Comanche; named for early settlers Josiah and Mathias Wilbarger,
the county was established in 1858; a branch of the Western Trail
passed through the area, and six million longhorn traversed the Red
River at Doan's Crossing during the great cattle drives; oil,
discovered in the early 20th century, remains important to the
region's economy; and
WHEREAS, County seat Vernon was originally called Eagle Flat
for the abundance of nesting eagles nearby; today, the city is a
center for farming, ranching, and the petroleum industry; the
birthplace of rock and roll legend Roy Orbison, the town is also
home to Vernon College and the Red River Valley Museum, which
chronicles the history, culture, and geography of the region; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1849, the Waggoner Ranch, south of
Vernon, is the largest ranch in Texas under one fence and a
five-time winner of the Texas Ranch Roundup; the Santa Rosa
Palomino Club is a renowned precision equestrian riding club, and
the club's annual Santa Rosa Roundup draws thousands of visitors
and top professional rodeo riders; residents and visitors alike
also enjoy the picnic every May at Doan's Crossing, one of the
oldest annual events in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich and colorful history as they
work together to build a bright future, the citizens of Vernon and
Wilbarger County may take justifiable pride in the important role
their unique region continues to play in the story of the Lone Star
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 6, 2013, as Wilbarger County and
City of Vernon Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegation sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful visit
to Austin.