Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFM 2818 designated as "Harvey Mitchell Parkway"Kelley Chapman, 764 -3768 Public Relations & Marketing Manager June 16, 1999 For Immediate Release Bryan and College Station Designate FM 2818 as "Harvey Mitchell Parkway" The City Councils of Bryan and College Station, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation, are set to rename FM 2818 "Harvey Mitchell Parkway" beginning August 1, 1999. This designation is an effort to honor Mr. Mitchell for his impact on the Brazos Valley. In addition to the memorial name change, the actual street numbers along FM 2818 will change to reflect a standardized address designation system. The block numbers will follow a consistent pattern along the entire length of the parkway, which spans from the north end of Bryan to the southeastern part of College Station, eliminating duplicate addresses. There are currently five 100 blocks along the length of FM 2818. This change will also strengthen emergency response time to houses and businesses along the parkway. The portion of FM 2818 in Bryan will be "North Harvey Mitchell Parkway" and the portion of FM 2818 in College Station will be "Harvey Mitchell Parkway South." Working with the Brazos County 911 and U.S. Postal Service, the cities have established an effective date of August 1, 1999 to change all addresses along the parkway. All new street addresses should be clearly marked by the property owners by August 31, 1999. The Postal Service will continue to deliver mail to the old addresses for up to one year after the change (August 1, 2000). Harvey Mitchell was one of the founding fathers of the Brazos County. Through his dedication and commitment, he was able to bring Texas A&M University to the area. Mitchell held many City offices including County judge, Treasurer, Tax Collector and Surveyor. His contributions to the area were among the most important in the formation of the Brazos County. (Please see attached biography) Please contact the College Station Building Department at 764 -3741 or the City of Bryan Planning Department at 361 -3613 for further information. # ## Known as the "Father of Brazos County ", Harvey Mitchell was a pioneer, builder of churches, schools and courthouses in the Brazos Valley. He was a philanthropist, businessman, county official and Brazos County's first teacher. His greatest achievement was bringing Texas A&M University to this area, without which, Bryan /College Station would not have prospered as it has today. Born in Cornersville, Tenessee on April 9, 1821, Mitchell, at the age of 18, joined a wagon train of other young men immigrating to Texas. In the Fall of 1839, he arrived in this area and enlisted with Captain Eli Chandler's "Minute Men" as a volunteer military serviceman to protect the settlers from Indian marauders. When not away on military duties, Mitchell lived with the Richard Carter family and tutored the children in exchange for room and board. A new county was being formed southeast of Robertson County whic ed Harvey Mitchell. In 1842 he left the military to move to the new county sea Boonville- named after the descendants of Daniel Boone, who brought many settlers to this area. Mitchell felt the calling to do all that he could to help oonville and Brazos County grow. Local men were not willing to leave their fields for low paying i ical jobs, so the responsibility of running the town fell to the 21- year -old Mitchell. He was the first deputy for the Brazos County Clerk's office and increased his responsibilities by serving as deputy to the County judge, treasurer, tax collector and surveyor. As Boonville and Brazos County grew, so did the needs of its citizens. Mitchell eventually owned and operated a blacksmith shop, gristmill, store, hotel, post office and school. Mitchell's contribution to the community was so varied that a local story tells of a couple, visiting Boonville, who wished to marry and asked for a Justice of the Peace. Mitchell performed the ceremony, then attended to their other needs by shoeing their horse and providing hotel accommodations for the night. In 1846 Mitchell contracted to build Boonville's first courthouse, known as the "board shanty." This structure was replaced by a larger courthouse in 1853, and in 1878 the county courthouse moved to Bryan. Perhaps the most important of Mitchell's contributions to Brazos County is the accomplishment of bringing Texas A&M to the area. In an effort known as the "48 -Hour Land Deal," Mitchell (representing the citizens of Bryan) went to Houston to present the town's petition for the location of the first land grant college — Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College. Alone in Houston, Mitchell was unable to contact Bryan's Mayor for further instructions. Acting on his own, Mitchell pledged 2,250 acres. To keep the deal going, Mitchell had to provide the title to the land within 48 hours. Mitchell himself donated 980 acres. Mitchell rushed back to Bryan and obtained titles from several donors. Returning to Houston, Mitchell arrived in time to close the deal that created the College. Mitchell's personal life continued his commitment to Brazos County. He married Arthuisa Jane Foley, the daughter of a local family and together they had nine children. Tragedy struck the family in 1870 when four daughters and one grandchild died of meningitis. More sorrow followed when the Mitchell's lost their home in Booneville and all of their personal belongings to creditors of friends whose notes Mitchell had co- signed over the years. Times changed and the railroad moved the County seat to Bryan, but Harvey Mitchell left an unmistakable mark on Brazos County. His contributions to the area were among the most important in the formation of the Brazos Valley. As one of the areas' leading founding fathers, it is fitting that a road of such significance as FM 2818 be named after Harvey Mitchell.