Mesquite, TX – December 15, 2021 – Councilmember Debbie Anderson, representing Mayor Daniel Alemán Jr. presented a proclamation to Julia Schultz Morris on Saturday, Dec. 11 in honor of Florence Ranch Homestead's 150th anniversary. The proclamation was presented at Christmas at the Ranch, which celebrated Florence Ranch Homesteads history and honored the Florence family and their contributions to the development of the City of Mesquite. Read the proclamation below:

WHEREAS, the City of Mesquite recognizes the historic value of the Florence Ranch Homestead as one of the earliest farmsteads in the Mesquite area, being erected in 1871-1872; and

WHEREAS, the Florence family, namely David Walker Florence and his wife, Julia Savannah Beaty, built the home and farm, making a life for themselves and their family on 207.5 acres; and

WHEREAS, by 1892, the ranch had grown to 750 acres, with 300 cultivated and the rest fenced; and 

WHEREAS, that Julia depicted that life for all to see on a hand-embroidered quilt, which is memorialized in the book, “Lone Stars: A Legacy of Texas Quilts;” and

WHEREAS, the Florence family of Meadow View Farm was prominent in the growth of the City of Mesquite, with son Emet Florence raising award-winning Percheron horses and Hampshire sheep; and his wife, Perle Curtis Florence, being the first woman to serve on the Mesquite Parks Board; and

WHEREAS, the farmhouse itself is a good example of late 19^th century rural Texas architecture; and

WHEREAS, the property is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and A Recognized Century Family Ranch by the Texas Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, Julia Schulz Morris and Florence Florence Schulz so generously donated to the City of Mesquite over three acres of the original farmland and farmhouse 34 years ago; and

WHEREAS, it has been 150 years since the Florence family came to Mesquite and began building their home. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Daniel Alemán Jr., Mayor of the City of Mesquite, do hereby proclaim December 11, 2021, as:

Florence Ranch Homestead Day

in the City of Mesquite, in honor of the Florence family and their contributions to the development of the City of Mesquite.

PROCLAIMED this 11th day of December 2021.