August 30th marks several important events in Texas history.
One notable event took place in 1836 when Houston was founded. Located near the banks of Buffalo Bayou, Houston would go on to become the largest city in Texas and a major center of commerce and industry.
Moving forward to 1893, Amarillo was selected as the seat of Potter County. Interestingly, this was not the original location for Amarillo. In 1893, the decision was made to move the city to the east, solidifying its position as an important hub in the Texas Panhandle.
Another important event occurred in 1900 when the Galveston Hurricane was first observed. This devastating natural disaster struck the city of Galveston, causing widespread destruction and resulting in one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
In 1901, the El Paso Electric Railway Company took over as the supplier of electricity for large parts of the Southwest. This marked a significant advancement in the region’s infrastructure, as the previous supplier, the Brush Electric Light Company, was replaced.
Fast forward to 1969, and the Texas International Pop Festival opened in Mansfield. Held at the Dallas International Motor Speedway, this three-day event featured 23 acts and showcased the vibrant music culture of Texas.
Texas Governor Allan Shivers also made headlines on this day in 1956. In Mansfield, a mob surrounded Mansfield High School to prevent the enrollment of three African-American students. Governor Shivers intervened, authorizing the students to be transferred to Fort Worth. It was not until 1965 that the Mansfield school district would finally desegregate.