SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 244
WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Wharton County are gathering in
Austin on March 3, 2015, to celebrate Wharton County Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, The county was founded in April of 1846, and its
name commemorates two heroes of the Texas Revolution, brothers
William Harris Wharton and John Austin Wharton; located on the
Coastal Plain of Southeast Texas, it is bounded by Matagorda,
Colorado, and Jackson Counties and by the San Bernard River,
which marks its northern and northeastern borders with Austin and
Fort Bend Counties; and
WHEREAS, More than 41,000 people call the area home, and
its nearly 1,100 square miles primarily encompass prairie and
timberland; the Colorado River, which traverses the county from
northwest to southeast, divides it roughly in half and flows
through the communities of 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; during the time of the
Republic of Texas, the area consisted of three counties,
Matagorda, Jackson, and Colorado, containing isolated plantation
homes and two growing towns, Preston and Egypt; and
WHEREAS, After Texas joined the United States in December
1845, Wharton County was formed from parts of the three existing
counties near the intersection of the mail routes from Matagorda
to Columbus and from Houston to Victoria; 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 major cities and towns are El
Campo, Wharton, East Bernard, Boling, and Louise; the county
seat, Wharton, is known for its small-town way of life and its
diverse cultural influences from immigrants of Czech, Danish,
and Mexican ancestry; the city offers outstanding festivals and
proximity to both Houston and the Gulf Coast, and it is noted for
its excellent schools and championship football teams; the area
also provides exceptional hunting and outdoor recreation
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Residents of Wharton County are heirs to a rich
history and heritage, and they may take pride in their county's
myriad contributions to the Lone Star State as they look ahead to
a promising future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 84th Texas Legislature,
hereby recognize March 3, 2015, as Wharton County Day at the
State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the citizens of
Wharton County who are here in Austin today.
Kolkhorst
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 23, 2015.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate