SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 415
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the citizens of Wharton County who have come to Austin
to celebrate Wharton County Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Wharton County was founded in April of 1846 and
named for two Texas heroes, brothers William Harris Wharton and
John Austin Wharton; and
WHEREAS, Wharton County is located on the Coastal Plain of
southeast Texas on United States Highway 59 southwest of Houston;
the county is bounded by Matagorda, Colorado, and Jackson
Counties and by the San Bernard River, which forms its
northeastern border and marks the county line with Fort Bend
County; and
WHEREAS, Wharton County has approximately 41,280 residents
and encompasses 1,086 square miles of land, which is divided
primarily between prairie and timberland; the Colorado River,
which traverses the county from northwest to southeast, divides
it roughly in half and flows through Wharton and Glen Flora; and
WHEREAS, Prospective landowners first came to the plains
of the Colorado River in 1822, led by Stephen F. Austin under
contract with the Mexican government; the Mexican Imperial
Colonization Law of 1823 granted 177 acres to the heads of
families for farming and 4,428 acres for raising cattle; and
WHEREAS, During the time of the Republic of Texas, the area
was divided into three counties, Matagorda, Jackson, and
Colorado, and the area consisted of isolated plantation homes and
two growing towns, Preston and Egypt; and
WHEREAS, After Texas entered the United States in 1845,
Wharton County was formed of parts of the three existing counties
near the intersection of the mail routes from Matagorda to
Columbus and from Houston to Victoria; and
WHEREAS, The advent of railroads and irrigation brought
increased settlement to the area, which remains a center of
agricultural, educational, industrial, and medical services for
a large region; and
WHEREAS, Wharton County's largest cities and townships are
El Campo, Wharton, East Bernard, Boling, and Louise; and
WHEREAS, Wharton, the county seat, is known for its
small-town way of life and its Czech, Danish, and Mexican
heritage; it offers exceptional hunting and outdoor activities,
proximity to both Houston and the Gulf Coast, and outstanding
festivals; it is also noted for its excellent schools and
championship football teams; and
WHEREAS, Residents of Wharton County can take pride in
their rich history and heritage as they look forward to a
promising future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby welcome the citizens of Wharton County
to Austin and extend best wishes for a productive and enjoyable
Wharton County Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
them as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Hegar
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 6, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate