the banner-press official 2019-20 washington county fall/winter visitors & newcomer guide | brenham, texas | 15
Banner-Press file
Lake Somerville State Park complex consists of four units: Birch Creek, Nails Creek, Lake Somerville Trailway and the Somerville Wildlife Management Area.
Enjoy yourself on, off water Lake Somerville State Park complex consists of four units: Birch Creek, Nails Creek, Lake Somerville Trailway, and the Somerville Wildlife Management Area. It is northwest of Brenham in Lee and Burleson counties. Birch Creek is 2,365 acres in Burleson County on the north shore, and Nails Creek consists of 3,155 acres in Lee County on the south shore near the west end of the reservoir. The two units are connected by a 13mile trailway system. The Somerville Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consists of 3,180 acres with the Yegua Creek Compartment in southwest Burleson County and the Nails Creek Compartment in northeast Lee County. The Somerville Reservoir was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Work was started in June 1962, and deliberate impoundment of water was begun in January of 1967. The dam is located on Yegua Creek, 20 miles upstream from its confluence with the Brazos River, and about two miles south of Somerville.
Lake Somerville fishing records*
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Largemouth bass — caught by Steven Vela, March 4, 2009; 13.6 pounds and 25.25 inches. White bass — caught by Chris Beasley, Feb. 22, 2017; 4.80 pounds and 21.19 inches. Bluegill — caught by Kelton Rozell, June 5, 2011; .95 pounds and 9 inches. Carp — caught by Evelyn Arquette, Feb. 7, 2017; 11.7 pounds and 27.50 inches. Blue catfish — caught by Leonard Bloom Sr., Nov. 24, 2015; 94.50 pounds. Channel catfish — caught by Don Boyce, April 30, 2010; 15.6 pounds and 32.25 inches. Flathead catfish — caught by Elizabeth Cockrell, April 16, 2014; 50.3 pounds and 52 inches. Black crappie — caught by Jerry Black, Jan. 7, 2018; 2.80 pounds and 16.5 inches. White crappie — caught by Mark Sullivant, April 4, 1996; 2.63 pounds and 15.5 inches.
* all records shown were caught with a rod and reel
For complete Lake Somerville records check the Texas Parks and Wildlife website: http://bit.ly/2BChUU5
Somerville Reservoir covers 11,630 acres with a shoreline of 85 miles. Its main purposes are flood control, municipal water supply and recreation. The state park complex was leased from the federal government in 1969 and opened in 1970. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages the Somerville WMA under a license agreement and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Flag Pond is a 350-acre impoundment
in the Yegua Creek watershed; it is located within the Lake Somerville State Park along the Somerville Trailway. The pond is a natural depression which has served as wetland habitat for waterfowl wintering (mid-October to mid-February) in the Lake Somerville vicinity. Flag Pond was originally developed by a private hunting club in 1926. Enjoy, but do not disturb historical places. If you find an artifact, leave it in place and let park staff know.
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the banner-press official 2019-20 washington county fall/winter visitors & newcomer guide | brenham, texas | 21
Brenham is known for its baseball and rightfully so. The Cubs are seven-time state champions.
County holds rich athletic history
B
Burton High School athletics competes in UIL District 14-2A Division II. The Panthers are perennial playoff contenders.
renham is known for its baseball and rightfully so. The Cubs are seven-time state champions — the last title coming in 2010. But football made its own state appearance in 2013, proving the school district offers more than just a premier baseball program. The football team has made three total appearances at state (2013, 2009 and 2002). Baseball won titles in 1970, ‘75, ‘76, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88 and 2010. Softball has also won several state championships along with individual student-athletes in track and field. Brenham High football competes in District 13-5A-Division II against Bastrop, Bastrop Cedar Creek, Elgin, Georgetown
East View, Leander Glenn, Marble Falls and Pflugerville Weiss. In other sports, Brenham is a member of 19-5A with A&M Consolidated, Bryan Rudder, College Station, Katy Paetow, Magnolia, Magnolia West and Waller. In the fall Brenham offers football, girl’s volleyball, cross country and team tennis followed by swimming, basketball and soccer. The spring sports include: golf, tennis, track and field, baseball and softball. Burton is the other school district located in Washington County. Panther football participates in UIL District 14-2A Division II along with Snook, Somerville, Louise and Flatonia. ATHLETIC continued on page 24
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Local Elected Officials City of Brenham
County Officials
District Officials
200 W. Vulcan Street ★ Brenham 77833 ( 979) 337-7200 Mayor ................................... Milton Y . T ate Jr. City Manager ............................. James Fisher Ward 1 ................................... Keith H erring Ward 2 ................................... Albert Wright Ward 3 ( Mayor Pro-T em) ........ Andrew Ebel Ward 4 ....................................... Danny G oss Position 5, At-Large ........................ Clint Kolby Position 6, At-Large ................... Susan Cantey
100 E. Main Street ★ Brenham 77833 ( 979) 277-6200 County Judge ................. John L. Durrenberger Commissioner Pct. 1 ................. Don Koester Commissioner Pct. 2 ............ Candice Bullock Commissioner Pct. 3 .................. Kirk H anath Commissioner Pct. 4 ...................... Joy Fuchs Court at Law ..................................... Eric Berg County Attorney ................. Renee Mueller County Clerk .......................... Beth Rothermel T ax Assessor/ Collector .......... Dot Borchgardt T reasurer .................................. Peggy Kramer Sheriff ..................................... O tto H . H anak JP Precinct 1 ...................... Douglas Z w iener JP Precinct 2 ........................... Douglas Cone JP Precinct 3 ................................... Ken T ofel JP Precinct 4 .............. William E. ( Bill) Kendall Constable Precinct 1 ........................ Ken H olle Constable Precinct 2 ..... Carroll “ Butch” Faske Constable Precinct 3 ................ David Blakey Jr. Constable Precinct 4 ................... G reg Rolling
100 E. Main Street ★ Brenham 77833 ( 979) 277-6200 21st District Judge .............. Carson Campbell 335th District Judge .. Reva L. T ow slee Corbett District Attorney ......................... Julie Renken District Clerk .......................... T ammy Brauner
City of Burton P.O . Box 255 ★ Burton 77835 ( 979) 289-3400 Mayor ...................................... David Z aj icek Position 1 ........................... Nathan Kalkhake Position 2 ............................ T ommie G ilmon Position 3 ( Mayor Pro-T em) ..... Jeff Eckhardt Position 4 .................................. Jerry Martin Position 5 .............................. Dale Schw artz
city
cityofbrenham.org
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county
State Officials Representative, District 13 ............ Ben Leman Senator, District 18 .............. Lois W. Kolkhorst State Board of Education ........ T om Maynard
Federal Officials U .S. H ouse, District 10 ....... Michael McCaul U .S. Senator ...................................... T ed Cruz U .S. Senator ................................ John Cornyn
co.washington.tx.us
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state
texas.gov
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Education Brenham Independent School District 711 E. Mansfield Street ★ Brenham 77833 w w w .brenhamisd.net | ( 979) 277-3700 Administration
Superintendent ............................................................. Walter Jackson Asst. Superintendent ................................................. Paul Aschenbeck Athletic Director .................................................................. Eliot Allen School Board President ........................................................................ Natalie Lange Vice President .............................................................. Melvin Ehlert Secretary ........................................................................ Susan Jenkins T rustee ....................................................................... T ommie Sullivan T rustee ............................................................................ Kelvin Raven T rustee ................................................................... Dr. Michael Altman T rustee ........................................................................ Mark Schneider
Burton Independent School District 701 N. Railroad Street ★ Burton 77835 w w w .burtonisd.net | ( 979) 289-3131 Administration
Superintendent .............................................................. Edna Kennedy Athletic Director .............................................................. Jason H odde School Board President .............................................................. Demetrius Colvin Sr. Vice President ................................................................... Jeff H armel Secretary ....................................................................... Misty Lucherk T rustee ................................................................................ Felton Cox T rustee ............................................................................ Ande Bostain T rustee ........................................................................... David Warner T rustee ................................................................................... T racy Cox
Blinn College
902 College Avenue ★ Brenham 77833 w w w .blinn.edu | ( 979) 289-3131 Executive Council Chancellor of the Blinn College District ........................ Mary H ensley Ex ecutive Vice Chancellor and G eneral Counsel .............. T ed H aj ovsky Athletic Director ...................................................... Scott Schumacher Board of Trustees President ..................................................................... Charles Moser Secretary .................................................................... David Sommer T rustee .................................................................. Douglas Borchardt T rustee ..................................................................... T heodora V. Boehm T rustee ...................................................................... Atw ood Kenj ura T rustee .............................................................................. Ann H orton T rustee ............................................................................ Jason Jennings T rustee ........................................................................ Rev. Randy Wells T rustee ......................................................................... Dan G atew ood 52 | brenham, texas | the banner-press official 2019-20 washington county fall/winter visitors & newcomer guide
Washington County at a Glance LOCATION
FACILITIES
UTILITIES
30° 10’ 01.2” N ★ 96° 23’ 51.7” W Cities and Surrounding Areas City Miles from Brenham Bryan/ College Station ................................. 37 H ouston ................................................... 74 Austin .................................................... 89 T emple .................................................... 95 Waco .................................................... 116 San Antonio ............................................ 158 Fort Worth .............................................. 203 Dallas .................................................... 213 Burton .................................................... 12 Chappell H ill ............................................ 10 Somerville ................................................ 15 Bellville .................................................... 15 Fayetteville ......................................... 20 H empstead ............................................. 22 Navasota ............................................. 25 Caldw ell ............................................. 30 G iddings ............................................. 32 Sealy ...................................................... 33 Columbus ................................................. 35
H otel/ Motel/ Resort ... 13 — Rooms .... 640 H ospitals ....................... 1 — Beds .......... 99 Bed & Breakfast ......... 43 — Rooms .... 100 Clinics ........................... 4 Doctors ........................ 40 Dentists ....................... 20 Churches ..................... 73 Recreational G olf Courses ................ 1 Museums ....................... 5 State Parks ................... 3 City Parks ...................... 8
Electricity Distributors Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, I nc. City of Brenham Water Sources — Lakes and Wells Lake Somerville Sewer T reatment Plant T ype: Secondary Capacity ( MG PD) : 3.55 Present Load: 70% Storm Sew er: Y ES Coverage: 100% Sanitary Sew er: Y ES Coverage: 100% Solid Waste Disposal T ype: T ransfer Station Natural Gas City of Brenham
CLIMATE
GOVERNMENT
Climate Temperature Average January 50° ★ July 84° ★ Annual 68° Average annual rainfall: 45.2” Prevailing w ind direction: SSE
POPULATION Y ear 1970 1980 1990 2000 2016
City 8,922 10,966 11,952 13,507 16,989
RACE/ETHNICITY
County 18,842 21,998 26,154 30,373 35,056
EDUCATION Number of school districts ......................... 2 Number of schools ...................................... 9 Maj or I SD ................................. Brenham I SD T otal enrollment .................................. 5,337 T otal annual high school graduates ........ 319 Private/ parochial schools ........................ 6 Colleges ( state/ private) w ithin 30 miles ....... 3 Public library volumes ........................ 46,000
TAXES
T ype of government .................. City Manager Police Department Personnel- full time ....... 40 Fire Department Personnel-full time ....... 15 — volunteers ........................................ 36 Pieces of equipment ........................................ 9 Fire insurance key rate ..................................... 3
Real Property Tax (per $100 valuation) County ...................... 0.3963 .......... 100% Brenham-City ............. 0.5170 ............. 100% Burton-City .............. 0.5000 .......... 100% Brenham I SD ............. 1.1250 ............. 100% Burton I SD ................ 1.1700 ............ 100% Blinn College ............. 0.0601 ............ 100% Retail Sales Tax State .............................. 6.25% County .......................... 0.50% City of Brenham .......... 1.50% State Taxes Corporate I ncome T ax .............................. none I ndividual I ncome T ax .............................. none G asoline T ax ( cents/ gallon) .................... $ 0.20
TRANSPORTATION
AGRICULTURE
Airport Nearest airport: Brenham Municipal Runw ay length: 6,003 feet, asphalt surface Nearest airports w ith commercial services: College Station ( Easterw ood) — 35 miles H ouston ( Bush I ntercontinental) — 76 miles H ouston ( H obby) — 85 miles Austin ( Bergstrom I nternational) — 90 miles Bus Services Kerrville Bus Lines Brazos Valley T ransit G reyhound Megabus.com
LABOR ANALYSIS Radius of Labor Draw ing Area ......... 75 miles * Average unemployed ................................ . 739 * Average unemployment rate .................. 4.8% Work Stoppages in the past five years ...... 0 Manufacturing Workers I n U nions ........... 0% *Annual averages for Washington County 2015
Revised Texas Franchise Tax (effective 1/2008)
Cattle, poultry, dairy products, hogs, horses; hay, corn, sorghum, cotton, small grains, nursery crops. Market value $ 45.7 million.
ECONOMY Agribusiness, oil, tourism, manufacturing, government/ services.
MINERALS O il, gas and stone.
HISTORY Coahuiltecan tribes and T onkaw as in area w hen Anglo-American settlers arrived in 1821. Antebellum slaveholding area. G ermans arrived around 1870. County named for G eorge Washington; an original county, created 1836, organized 1837. ——— Brenham/Washington County is located on U.S. 290, 70 miles west of Houston and 90 miles of Austin. Only 40 miles south of Bryan-College Station. To the southwest, San Antonio is 160 miles while the Dallas-Fort Worth area is 210 miles to the north.
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