The fourth annual Travis County History Day was held on Friday, October 21, 2011.  The event was in celebration of all past and present county elected officials, who are an important part of our county’s history.  The event was held at 700 Lavaca, in the future site of the Commissioners Courtroom.  It was very well attended, and featured special speakers and exhibits of historical photographs and documents.

County Judge Sam Biscoe served as the Master of Ceremonies, and special presentations were given by Dwayne Holman, formerly of the Texas Association of Counties, and Judge Bob Perkins. Judge Perkins, the second longest-serving judge in Travis County history, has served a combined 36 years as a Justice of the Peace, County Court at Law Judge, and District Court Judge.  Mr. Holman and Judge Perkins spoke on the history, development and importance of county government in Texas and in Travis County.

Nearly 300 photographs of county elected officials throughout history were on display at the History Day event.  The Travis County History Day committee sincerely thanks the current and former officials and family members who helped us in gathering so many images.  Most of the images are now also part of the Travis County Archives collections.  We welcome any further additions of photographs and images of elected officials to the Archives.

Also on display at the event were some of our county’s earliest election records, campaign memorabilia, short histories of each elected office, and the names of all individuals who have served in those offices. Nearly 1,000 individuals have served as elected officials in Travis County history.

History Day was a great success, and many current and former elected officials were in attendance, including F.W. “Joe” Horton, the last County Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Rubert Ceder, a former Commissioner who served in the 1960s.  We are grateful for everyone who came out to celebrate History Day with us!

Special thanks and recognition go out to the sponsors of Travis County History Day: the Austin Bar Association, the Travis County Archives, and the Travis County Historical Association.  The support of these organizations has been instrumental in the success of Travis County History Day.

Please click here to view photos from the event.

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