Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout75TH ANNIVERSARY TALKING POINTS 75TH ANNIVERSARY TALKING POINTS MISSION: The mission of the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee is to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the City of College Station, home of Texas A&M University, by celebrating the past, honoring the present, and embracing the future. INTRODUCTION: Hosting a community celebration of our 75th anniversary will give us an opportunity to reflect on where we began, take stock of where we are, and set the pace for our future. We hope to involve all members from the current community as well as encourage previous residents to come back for a homecoming weekend that is action packed and fun for the whole family. It is common to hear folks say that “College Station doesn’t have any history.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Our name goes back to 1877, 61 years before our incorporation. Our history is unique in that we grew up and are still growing up around the state’s first public institution of higher learning. This part of our history gave rise to terms like “campus houses” and “campus kids.” Fortunately, for us, the campus houses and some of the campus kids are still here to help tell our story. One has only to look at the size of the archives to begin to understand how much history we have documented to date. There are over 300 gigabytes in the Project HOLD archives. And we have only just begun. We encourage everyone to participate in some facet of the celebrations! PROPOSED CELEBRATION EVENTS: Friday, October 19, 2012 – Kick-Off & Book Signing: Comprehensive history of College Station book signing and beginning year celebrations. Friday, October 18, 2013 – Banquet & Gala at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex honoring city leaders, community leaders, notable citizens, teachers, Fire and Police personnel; community and school homecoming Saturday, October 19, 2013 (Aggie game is away at Iowa State) – Installation of Time Capsule Tailgate BBQ – American Pavilion parking lot Community & Alumni Homecoming Displays and Exhibits – City departments showing off their new technology and plans for the future; Community organizations and businesses telling their history; Under the Big Top adjacent to the American Pavilion Vintage Baseball Game – Playing by 1860s rules with vintage uniforms and equipment Monday, November 11, 2013 – Special recognition of area veterans during the annual Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors Veterans Day event PROPOSED COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS: City of College Station media and web presence George Bush Presidential Library and Museum – City history exhibit and video presentation Brazos Valley Worldfest – City history booth HISTORICAL DATES OF NOTE: In 1831, Richard Carter and his family from Morgan County, Alabama, received a league of land from the Mexican government. Their land encompassed much of what is College Station today. He is considered the father of College Station. In February 1877, a Post Office near the railroad tracks across from campus was officially designated the College Station. Letters were addressed to College Station, Texas. March 4, 1938,a group of 23 men, chosen by the community, went before the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas Board of Directors and announced their plans to incorporate the city and include the campus. The directors wished them well and suggested that they include a one mile wide boundary around the campus. March 22, 1938, the community met to discuss the incorporation. October 19, 1938, an election to incorporate was held in the College Station depot across the railroad tracks from the Westgate entrance to the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. The result was 217 to 39 to incorporate. November 28, 1938, the first council was chosen by district with one at-large member. Mayor J. H. Binney; Aldermen: Dr. L. P. Gabbard, Luther G. Jones, Ernest Langford, A. Mitchell, George B. Wilcox. February 25, 1939, the first meeting of the council was held in the Administration Building (original name) on the campus. This building is the focal point of the Eastgate entrance to the campus. Currently, it is called the Jack K. Williams (System) Administration Building.