Bill Text: TX HR792 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Cape's Dam and Mill Race on the San Marcos River.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-17 - Reported enrolled [HR792 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HR792-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 792 | ||
|
|
||
| WHEREAS, Cape's Dam and Mill Race on the San Marcos River is | ||
| 150 years old in 2017, and this is a fitting opportunity to | ||
| celebrate this unique structure's importance to the history and | ||
| recreational culture of the region; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The dam and the mill race were constructed on the | ||
| river in 1867 by William Alexander Thompson, an early pioneer in | ||
| Hays County; the dam earned its name from a subsequent owner, John | ||
| Matthew Cape, and it represents one of the earliest industrial | ||
| enterprises in the county; it remains historically significant as | ||
| one of the few 19th-century mill sites still extant in Texas; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The dam was built using an existing slough, creating | ||
| three islands known as Thompson's Islands between the San Marcos | ||
| River and the mill race; in the years since, these islands have | ||
| become a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and flora, and the | ||
| river and the mill race are part of a federally designated habitat | ||
| for three of the five endangered species in the San Marcos and Comal | ||
| river basin; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The mill race and the 14-foot waterfall where it | ||
| reconnects with the river's main channel create a popular swimming | ||
| hole at Stokes Park, and each year, thousands of Texans enjoy the | ||
| recreational opportunities afforded by the site; the mill race has | ||
| also become a place of healing for wounded veterans who visit each | ||
| week from VA medical centers, as well as for veterans from Brooke | ||
| Army Medical Center in San Antonio, who kayak there for | ||
| rehabilitation; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The site has likewise become a mecca for competitive | ||
| kayakers and has been used for training by 10 international teams, | ||
| 17 Olympians, 8 Olympic coaches, and 2 Paralympians; these include | ||
| 10 world champions, 2 Olympic medalists, and 64 national team | ||
| members; in addition, the slow portions of the race provide a safe | ||
| place for less experienced paddlers, such as Boy Scout troops and | ||
| other youth groups, to hone their skills; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1985, the National Park Service determined that | ||
| Cape's Dam and Mill Race were eligible for the National Register of | ||
| Historic Places, and the site is home to three Official Texas State | ||
| Historical Markers; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A century and a half ago, early settlers in Hays | ||
| County created Cape's Dam and Mill Race to help establish commerce | ||
| in the region, and in the years since, it has become an important | ||
| monument to the area's heritage as well as a vital recreational | ||
| resource; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Cape's Dam | ||
| and Mill Race and celebrate the historical significance of this | ||
| landmark site. | ||
| Isaac | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 792 was adopted by the House on March | ||
| 16, 2017, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
