84R12653 KSM-D
By: Springer H.R. No. 816
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 4, 2015; 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 Great Western
Trail passed through the area, and from 1879 to 1895, some six
million head of cattle traversed the Red River at Doan's Crossing
during the great drives north; oil, discovered in the early 20th
century, remains important to the region's economy; and
WHEREAS, County seat Vernon, designated by voters in 1881,
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, Formed in the mid-19th century, the Waggoner Ranch,
south of Vernon, became the largest ranch under one fence in the
nation 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 in Vernon draws thousands
of visitors and top professional rodeo riders; residents and
visitors alike also enjoy the picnic every May at Doan's Crossing, a
130-year tradition that is 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 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 4, 2015, as Wilbarger County and
City of Vernon Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable
stay in Austin.