November 15, 2007 - Texas Facts #10: Some State Goverment
Before I start I had to share my newfound knowledge. I hadn’t ever thought much of there being two ways to spell capital/capitol. Did you know they have different definitions? Here are the ones that apply to this post.
Capital ~ a city serving as a seat of government
Capitol ~ a building in which the state legislative body meets
Now, on with the show…
Austin, located in Travis County, is named after the famous Stephen F. Austin, “the father of Texas.” For hundreds of years, nomadic tribes of Tonkawa, Comanche, and Lipan Apaches camped and hunted in what is now the capital of the state of Texas. The first people to actually settle there were the Spanish (Mexicans) in the late 1700’s. In the mid 1830’s the first permanent Anglo settlers arrived and called their village Waterloo. It has officially been the state capital since February 19, 1846, (161 years ago) though it swapped between Houston several times since it’s establishment in 1839 when the name was changed to Austin.
Quick fact! ~ Did you know that the Texas capitol is the largest in the nation second only to the National capitol in Washington D.C.? Though it is taller by nearly 15 ft.
The only state political leaders that I am aware live in Austin would be the governor, Rick Perry, and the attorney general, Greg Abbott. The state senators and representatives have offices in the capitol and some may have second homes in Austin as well. Here is a picture of the beautiful Governor’s Mansion:
The population of Austin is 681,437, but it is only the fourth largest city in Texas. The largest city is Houston with a population of 2,033,400, ranking fourth largest city in the nation. Excluding the many ghost towns, which have no residencies, the smallest town in Texas (which is practically a ghost town) is Arden, located in Irion County, with a population of 1. Yeah, that made me laugh too. ;-)
Notice: All population figures are Texas State Data Center estimates as of January 1, 2004.
Hope y'all learned something new!
-Mellie
Comments
November 15, 2007 - Interesting...
Posted by SuperAngel
RYC:
So glad you liked my article. That is so great that all your friends blogs have been speaking to you. God must really be working in your life.
Love,
Amanda
November 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
RYC: I am sorry to make you cry, but you deserved it. ; ) I meant every word I said on there. I spend a good hour or two (since a little sib deleted the first post) writing that up. I had to do my very best because you are worth it. You are worth my time. ; )
I hope to meet you someday. You do write so many wonderful posts. I am amazed!
Love,
Jocelyn
November 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by giftedgirl
I can't believe it's taken me this long to visit your blog! I'm throughly ashamed of myself, especially since I talk to you often on Daughters. :-)
Hugs,
Becca
November 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mandygrace
RYC: It definitely can be "risky" posting about such a controversial topic. So far I didn't get any negative comments though. Thanks for your thoughts on my post!
~Mandy
November 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by BlogBoy
I know the answer for the first one, it is an envelope!
Not sure what that second one is. Does it have something to do with the post office? ;)
Eric
November 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by BlogBoy
"Coming to God should be a personal experience that we can put into our own words! God wants to be our teacher, king and guide, but he also wants to be our friend.
I wouldn't be much of a friend to you if I only quoted what other people had written, right? We need to get more personal then that. We need to come to God with our own feelings. "
That is how it needs to be. We just need to get personal with him. If we could just talking to him like he is sitting in the room next to us...
Lol, no I'm not a brainiac on those subjects. I am more an English and computers person. I'm more of a "thinker" then a "scholar."
Oh neato! That is pretty close. I think my anniversary is in may. I'm thinking of doing something big for it this year. We will see.
Drat, I can't wait to find out more about it! When will you know if it is final?
I'm sure everyone loves reading "mega long" comments. we are homeschoolers for Pete's sake! Lol.
Sorry this comment was long in coming. I took a blogging break and it just about killed me!
Eric
November 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
And TX? Hmmm.. we might be coming out west soon. We have family in Las Cruces NM so we drive right through TX.
Love,
Jocelyn
