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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 1945)
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 17, 1945 THE BATTALION Page 7 I / College Station, Baby As Cities Go, Founded In 1938 Most high-school graduates who choose Texas A. & M. for their college training will come to a city organized and operating in much the same manner as their own home towns. The only noticeable difference is that the city of College Station completely surrounds the large college campus, and is made up of three separate residential and business districts in widely separated areas. This spread-out condition is the logical outcome of the history of the city’s * growth. The business development at the North Gate is the natural result of its proximity to the original center of the campus; the College Hills estates are located across the highway from the main en trance to the college administra tion building; while south of the campus, the development of the College Park and Oakwood resi dential sections, together with the erection of several new dormitor ies on that side of the grounds, has created another small business community. This spread condi tion has been the cause of many problems to the city government, along the lines of sewerage, drain ing, and utilities. Organized in October 1938, Col lege Station is a baby as cities go, but already, in spite of the difficulties arising from its pe culiarities of location, it is being looked upon by other municipalities as a pattern for small-town man agement. Since 1940 the city has purchased and extended the sew age facilities of the entire town, and has bought all of the elec trical system of the city except that in the College Hills section, which is furnished by the Rural Electrification Administration. The water lines of the city have also been purchased since 1940, and in 1944 the city spent approximately $15,000 to improve and repair its streets. In spite of these recent sizeable outlays, the city has a debt at this time of less than $18,- 000. At the same time, the city re quires only a 50 per cent valuation on its tax assessments while the average for cities of the same population class in Texas is 67 per cent. The tax rate is 60<£ per $100, which is the lowest of any mun icipality in the state save one; the average for. Texas in the same population group is $1.17. The as sessed valuation of the city is only about $1,300,000, for much of the property within the city limits is state owned and tax free, and there are no manufacturing or other large enterprises in the town. But tax collections for the four- year period of 1939-42 were 96% per cent of assessments, and in 1943 collections reached a high of 98.8 per cent with less than $100 on the delinquent list. The campus of A. & M. Col- COLLEGE STATION CITY OFFICIALS The affairs of the City of College Station are directed by the above group of men. Left to right they are E. E. Brown, George B. Wilcox, M. T. Harrington, R. L. Brown and C. W. Crawford, members of the City Council; and Lloyd B. Smith, City Manager. Seated is Ernest Langford who has served as Mayor since 1942. lege is policed by a special force of campus policemen under the direct supervision of the college authorities A municipal police force takes over at the boundaries of the campus; however, the cam pus policemen are also deputized in the municipal force, and the two work in close coordination. The City of College Station does not maintain a separate fire de partment, but depends on the Col lege fire department, which serves the city on call for a consideration of $50 per call. The key fire insur ance rate for the city is only 28 tf. The city also operates a Health Department, which is constantly on the alert to eliminate health hazards and promote the physical well-being of the community. The city also provides free garbage collection to its residents twice a week and to business houses daily. Thei first mayor of College Station was Dr. J. H. Binney. He was succeeded by Frank G. And erson. Ernest Langford, present mayor, has held office since 1942. Other officers are Lloyd E. Smith, city manager since 1942; S. A. Lipscomb, city secretary; O. L. Foster, assistant city secretary and Bryan, Five Miles From Campus; Grown With A&M “Growing with Texas A. & M.” might well be the slogan of Bryan, county seat town of Brazos County, located with in five miles of the campus of the famous home of the Texas Aggies. This medium-sized Texas community is typical of the fine home towns from which the students of A. & M. are recruited. In the first place Bryan is a city of homes. Many fine old mansions are found in the environs of the city, not to mention the many more modern 1 ” ‘ ^ homes of recent vintage. The shopping and trade center of a wide area, Bryan ^ in the heart of the Brazos Valley plantation country, famous for deep soil and good crops. Some of Brazos County is brush land and light pasture, but along the river bottoms of the Brazos and other small streams lies some of the finest cotton and corn land to be found in the state. This varied farming activity has brought a steady prosperity to Bryan and even in depression days, Bryan felt little interruption of its normal activity. The business district of Bryan boasts wide streets and modern stores adequate to serve the needs of the community. Bryan has three prosperous banks, two newspapers, adequate peacetime hotels, six churches and numerous independent merchants as well as branches of some of the country’s largest chain merchants. Many faculty members and mem bers of the staff of Texas A. & tax assessor; and Mrs. Florence Neelley, utilities clerk. Other em ployees are Lee FVnwood, city mar- (See COLLEGE, Page 10) M. reside in Bryan as the distance is covered by regular bus service and is accessible by two excellent roads. Recreational facilities in Bryan include three picture shows, a mu nicipal golf course, and a country club that features an outstanding outdoor swimming pool. Bryan public schools have gain ed an enviable record throughout the state. The present modern plant will be expanded to meet future growth, according to plans of the school authorities. One feature that has been of particular out standing ability is the A Cappella Choir of S. F. Austin High School, Bryan. This singing group has gained state-wide recognition and is a good indication of the quality of the educational program found in Bryan. An air of friendliness is the general thing in Bryan, especially for men in uniform. Bryan citizens have grown up with uniforms, for the town now has not only to pro vide for the men of Texas A. & M, but for an expanding Allen Academy, a junior military insti tution of first class, and the Army Air Force Navigation School lo cated six miles from the city. EDUCATION BUILDS CITIZENSHIP and a friendly citizenship is one of the chief features of the community of College Station, a name that is synonomous with Texas A. & M. Sincel939 College Station has enjoy ed a phenomenal growth, primarily we believe because we have made it our first endeavor to build here homes and a community just like the ones from which Aggies come. When you come to live with us in Aggieland we pledge you a genuine interest in your success and happiness and a true community as much like your own home town as we can make. The Cihj Of College[]Station ERNEST LANGFORD, Mayor Write Lloyd Smith, City Manager, College Station, Texas for Full Information about Our Community The City of Bryan and Brazos County take pride in having- shared in the growth and development of Texas A. & M. College. Since 1876 A. & M. has served Texas and the nation. Around this great college has develop ed a friendly city surrounded by an entire county of Aggie suporters. When you come to Texas A. & M. you will find a hearty welcome in our 4 communities. Bryan-Brazos County Chamber Of Commerce BRYAN, TEXAS Write for information about Bryan-Brazos County-College Station. FOR FULL DETAILS ABOUT TEXAS A. & M. write H. L. Heaton, Registrar Texas A. & M. College, College Station, Texas