88R29946 BPG-D
By: Kacal H.R. No. 1768
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The iconic Cafe Texan in Huntsville is reopening in
May 2023 as the Cafe Texan History Museum and Library; and
WHEREAS, In April 1936, the cafe's imminent opening was
front-page news in The Huntsville Item; founder Fred Morris was an
experienced restaurateur, and he snagged an ideal location in the
former United Gas Company office in the art deco Eastham Building,
on the downtown square across from the Walker County Courthouse;
for decades, the cafe was a favorite meeting place for business
owners, old-timers, Sam Houston State University students, and
others in the community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Morris ran the Cafe Texan until 1958, and after
that, it passed through a number of hands; by 1996, the business was
flailing, but one of the regulars, U.S. Army veteran John
Strickland, purchased the cafe and helped turn things around; he
earned the loyalty of employees by paying them fairly and treating
them well, and many worked there for decades; in addition, he gained
the appreciation of the community through his support of numerous
worthy causes and organizations; and
WHEREAS, Patrons enjoyed the comfort of the familiar decor,
with the original counters, stools, and pressed-tin ceiling; the
menu remained fairly constant through the years, with chicken-fried
steak and pepper steak the perennial customer favorites; in later
years, the Texan became known for diner-style breakfasts and hearty
lunch specials such as fried chicken and catfish; and
WHEREAS, Like many other businesses, the Texan shut down at
the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; when Mr. Strickland began to
contemplate reopening, he discovered that the old place would
require an enormous investment to bring it up to current codes; he
sold the restaurant to former city council member and mayor pro tem
Vance Howard and his wife, Karen; the couple has renovated the
building extensively, turning it into a combination upscale eatery
and museum for their enormous collection of antiques and artifacts,
from pistols owned by the Emperor Napoleon and letters written by
President George Washington to a rare geological map of Texas; they
intend to run the restaurant as a nonprofit benefiting local
charities and scholarship programs; and
WHEREAS, Renowned as one of the state's oldest cafes, the
Cafe Texan has been a cornerstone of the Huntsville community for
generations, and its return is sure to gladden the hearts of
countless area residents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Cafe Texan on its reopening and
extend to all those associated with this venerable establishment
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the cafe as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.