HomeMy WebLinkAboutCollege Station Government ArticleRight: Followers of Jose Fidencio Constantino
Tight candles before a mural depicting what
they believe to be miracles he performed.
• Editor's Note: As the new millennium
approaches, it is an appropriate time to
look back on our community and reflect on
where we have come from. In this continu-
ing series of articles from the archives of
The Bryan - College Station Eagle, we will
look back at those historical moments. This
installment looks at the move to establish
College Station a city. It is by Gary Halter, a
former mayor of College Station who teach-
es political science at Texas A &M
University.
City government
The decision by the Board of
Directors at A &M to get out of the hous-
ing business, coupled with the growth
that was occurring, indicated a need for
a city government to provide services.
A debate developed within the commu-
AP photos
College Station residents sought ind
nity over the issues of annexation by
Bryan and the creation of a separate
city.
Many residents of College Station felt
that Bryan had hindered the growth of
off - campus housing and businesses.
Bryan banks were reluctant to loan
money to construct housing and busi-
nesses in College Station. Community
Savings and Loan and University
National Bank both were created in
part because of the reluctance of Bryan
banks to loan money for new construc-
tion.
There also was a feeling among many
residents that College Station was a
homogeneous community of "college
people" who thought they knew what
was best for themselves. They felt this
would be lost if they were annexed by
Bryan.
ern Mexico and a
nomenon.
Followers of
Fidencista churcl
THE MILLENNIUM PROJECT
2000
THE BRYAN - COLLEGE STATION EAGLE
On March 4, 1938, a group of 23 men,
representing both on- and off- campus
interests, met with the Board of
Directors and listed 12 reasons for the
incorporation of a city. Concern was
expressed by some board members that
the city would interfere with college ar.
affairs. The board was assured that this fo
would not happen, and the board FE
endorsed the idea for incorporation of a 01
city.
On March 22, 1938, a general meeting id
was held in the Chemistry Building lec- bl
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THE MILLENNIUM PROJECT
2000
THE BRYAN- COLLEGE STATION EAGLE
On March 4, 1938, a group of 23 men,
representing both on- and off - campus
interests, met with the Board of
Directors and listed 12 reasons for the
incorporation of a city. Concern was
expressed by some board members that
the city would interfere with college
affairs. The board was assured that this
would not happen, and the board
endorsed the idea for incorporation of a
city.
On March 22, 1938, a general meeting
was held in the Chemistry Building lec-
nomenon.
Followers of El Nino have an official
Fidencista church, winning recognition in 1993
ture hall to debate the merits of incor-
porating a city. From this meeting a
committee of 10, chaired by John Henry
Benney, professor of math and the city's
first mayor, was created.
All segments of the community and
"departments of the college" were rep-
resented on the committee. The com-
mittee circulated petitions as required
by state law. The petition was presented
to County Judge John M. Ferguson on
June 2, 1938, asking that an election be
held.
The petition contained 165 signatures
and a map of the proposed city. It was
found to be a valid petition, and
Ferguson set the date of the election for
Oct. 19, 1938.
Meanwhile, back in Bryan, many res-
idents were upset and attempted to
block the move to incorporate. Bryan
President Plutarco Elias Calles sought out his
help.
See HEALER, Page D10
nts sought independent government
tried to annex the area but, because of a
state law that limited the amount of
land a city could annex in any given
year, this was not accomplished.
However, Bryan did annex to its
approximate present boundary with
College Station, moving its city limits
some five miles south. This action also
took a large part of the consolidated
Independent School District into the
city limits of Bryan, which operated a
dependent school district, attached to
the city government, at this time. This
action severely limited the growth of
College Station and the school district
in a northerly direction.
This action by Bryan also rekindled
ill feelings between the two communi-
ties, and is remembered to this day by
some older residents.
NEXT: Incorporation
1