SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 345
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
join the Harris County Historical Commission and the citizens of
Houston in celebrating the dedication of an Official Texas
Historical Marker in honor of James Sherwood Lucas and his son,
Alfred T. Lucas; and
WHEREAS, James Lucas immigrated to the United States from
Liverpool, England, with his wife and four children, and by 1873,
the family had settled in Houston; over the next 18 years, Mr.
Lucas built a lasting testament to his talents as a brick mason
and contractor, as seen in the brick work of the 1883 Preston
Street Bridge and the 1884 Houston Cotton Exchange Building; and
WHEREAS, By the age of 16, Alfred Lucas was working as an
apprentice to his father, and after James Lucas's death, Alfred
continued the family's contracting business; Alfred's many
accomplishments included working with Eugene T. Heiner on the
1896 Harris County Jail and Criminal Court Building and the 1899
Lavaca County Courthouse; in addition, while working with John
Stadler, he built three private homes and 10 professional
buildings, including the Houston Light Armory, the Henke and
Company Store, the Magnolia and American Breweries, and the
Houston Waterworks pump house; and
WHEREAS, Alfred Lucas helped build several of the city's
famed cultural institutions, such as the 1895 City Auditorium;
his company, Lucas Brick Works, paved many of the streets in
Houston with bricks made at the company's yard on Buffalo Bayou
near Shepherd and San Felipe; and
WHEREAS, James and Alfred Lucas, two generations of
talented brick masons, left a legacy of craftsmanship that aided
in the urbanization and development of Houston, and it is truly
fitting that a historical marker be dedicated in their honor;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the contributions of James
Sherwood Lucas and Alfred T. Lucas to the City of Houston and
extend to the Harris County Historical Commission best wishes for
a memorable Official Texas Historical Marker dedication
ceremony; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.
Garcia
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 1, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate