Bill Text: TX HR792 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Cape's Dam and Mill Race on the San Marcos River.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-17 - Reported enrolled [HR792 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HR792-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Cape's Dam and Mill Race on the San Marcos River.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-17 - Reported enrolled [HR792 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HR792-Introduced.html
85R14044 JGH-D | ||
By: Isaac | H.R. No. 792 |
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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. |