Kempner observes 10th anniversary
By MAT TAYLOR Special Correspondent

PHOTO BY MAT TAYLOR Kempner Mayor Gene Isenhour, right, receives a resolution from the Texas Legislature, presented by District 54 State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock that recognized Nov. 10 as Founders Day.

Kempner residents, City Council members, city staff, former council members and others crowded into Kempner City Hall recently to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the city. It was incorporated 10 years ago after the city of Copperas Cove took steps to annex most of the community, including a six-mile strip along U.S. Highway 190 from FM 2657 to the Lampasas River.

Walter Prugh, former justice of the peace and municipal judge, said he and others, with the assistance of Austin attorney Barney Knight, quickly obtained the required number of names on a petition, set the city boundaries and presented documentation for incorporation to the county judge just one day before the Copperas Cove City Council was to vote on the annexation.

"They couldn't believe what we had done to stop the annexation, but we did it," Prugh said. "It happened, it's here, and I was glad to be a part of it."

PHOTO BY MAT TAYLOR Those in attendance at Kempner's 10th anniversary celebration included Lampasas Mayor Judy Hetherly, right, who visited with former Councilmember Dora Silva and her husband, as well as Paul Cook, current Kempner councilman and mayor protem. Also on hand was Kempner Mayor Gene Isenhour, left, who visited with James Briggs, president of the Lampasas Independent School District Board of Trustees, and his wife, Dorothy.

The vote for incorporation passed by a large majority, and the first Kempner City Council consisted of Mayor Roger Fancher and council members Paul Cook, Rex Hooten, Linda Mosley, Dora Silva and Sylvia Tucker.

Prugh said Frances Spinney was especially helpful in compiling necessary documents for incorporation. She has served as city secretary and municipal court clerk for the entire 10 years.

Although he could not attend the Founders Day celebration, Fancher -- who now pastors a Baptist church in Lufkin -- sent a letter that outlined Kempner's steps toward becoming a properly functioning city. In the letter read by Mayor Gene Isenhour, the former mayor noted that Kempner was the first city in the state incorporated during Gov. George W. Bush's term, and he was given a key to the city.

Fancher also outlined the problems that arose with the founding of a new city, such as implementation of a franchise tax, development of city ordinances and adoption of a small property tax.

"We were lucky to have someone like Fancher, who was formerly the mayor of Refugio, living in the city with experience in city operation," Isenhour said.

Place 1 Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Paul Cook is the only original member remaining on the Kempner council. Cook said the council's goal should be to keep the town growing but retain its character as a rural, family-oriented community. "Kempner should change only when necessary," he said. "We should not change just for the sake of changing."

District 54 State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock attended the celebration and presented a resolution adopted by the Texas Legislature that recognizes Nov. 10 as Founders Day in Kempner. In reading the resolution, Aycock said Kempner is situated in the high rolling prairie at the edge of the Hill Country in southeastern Lampasas County. The area was settled in the 1850s by the Pickett family and the Taylor family.

The community was first known as Brummerville and later served by a post office called Taylor's Creek. In 1878, the post office was moved west, and the name changed to Slaughterville. The community was firmly established with the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1882, when the town was renamed in honor of Harris Kempner, a director of the railroad and a prominent Galveston business owner and civic leader.

The post office name officially changed to Kempner that year.

The population doubled quickly, and by 1884 the town boasted a mill and cotton gin, a church, a school and telegraph office. After remaining constant in size for much of the 20th century, Kempner begin to grow again in the 1960s due to the influence of Fort Hood.

Aycock noted that three years after incorporation, the city hired its first law enforcement official, and to- day the Police Department consists of a police chief and five reserve officers.

"The citizens of Kempner are heirs to a rich history, and they are working to preserve the best of their past even as they look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," Aycock said. "It is a pleasure to recognize their industry, their accomplishments and their public spirit."

The celebration was complete with two birthday cakes and refreshments. An album of early and present-day photos of Kempner was on display, along with a book on the history of the city.

Isenhour remarked that the first City Hall was a small building owned by Kempner Water Supply Corp. City Hall now was the former site of the post office. When the post office moved to its present facility, the city rented the building, and necessary renovations were made to meet the needs of the city and its staff.

In addition to Cook, Isenhour recognized current council members Gene Jones, Bob Crane and Melba Vandeveer. Several Kempner business owners also were recognized.

To conclude the Founders Day celebration, Isenhour asked for a moment of silence in memory of Sylvia Tucker, who recently passed away. Mrs. Tucker was an original member of the City Council, owner of the Kempner Brick Oven restaurant, and she served 25 years with the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department. Her husband, Tommie Tucker, also later served on the council.

After the ceremonies, participants lingered for a time to visit, renew acquaintances and tell stories about events in the history of Kempner.