89R23669 BPG-D
By: Dutton H.R. No. 880
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Barrett Station Civic League is celebrating 150
years of family and community at its Founders Day event on June 14,
2025; and
WHEREAS, The namesake of Barrett Station, Harrison Barrett
was born in Texas around 1845 to Simon and Eliza Barrett; his
parents, who came from Louisiana, had several other children, but
during slavery, family members were separated; and
WHEREAS, Immediately after emancipation in 1865, Harrison
Barrett and his wife, Annie Jones Barrett, made a 30-mile trek to
Houston to have a justice of the peace legally formalize their
marriage; he spent several years finding his relatives and
reuniting them on land east of the San Jacinto River; cutting down
lumber on his property, he helped his family build seven houses and
start farms; he and his wife were blessed with 12 children; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett established a sawmill, gristmill, and
coffee mill, and he granted open access to the fish and crawfish in
the spring and gully near his homestead; in 1889, the White owner of
the land finally agreed to sell it to him for 50 cents an acre;
Barrett's Settlement was one of the largest properties to be
acquired by a freedman in Harris County; as the community grew,
Mr. Barrett donated land for Shiloh Baptist Church, which also
served as a school; and
WHEREAS, In 1917, Mr. Barrett passed away; he, his wife, and
four other family members are interred in the Journey's End
Cemetery near his original homestead; twice rebuilt by descendants,
the house still stands today; when the community gained a post
office substation in 1947, it became known as Barrett Station; the
civic league was established in 1954, and it continues to promote
community engagement and the well-being of local citizens, who now
number more than 4,000; and
WHEREAS, The founder of Barrett Station inspired generations
through his resilience, determination, and deep commitment to his
loved ones, and it is truly a pleasure to join in marking this
milestone of his family's rich history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 2025 Founders Day celebration of
the Barrett Station Civic League and extend sincere best wishes to
all those participating in this sesquicentennial event; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.