A LOO K BACK
by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@myjrrell.com
Jarrell: Birth and Growth of a City
F
ounders Orlando D. Jarrell and E. C. Haeber would be proud to see what Jarrell has become, and the growth that has become exponential in the last 20 years.
A LITTLE HISTORY Jarrell has been on the map since 1909, having been built as a train stop for the cotton trade between Bartlett and Florence. Originally, the stop was planned at Corn Hill but residents turned it down and O.D. Jarrell suggested the place we now call home. Growth continued on pace with other small towns in Williamson County until the latter part of the 20th century, when growth all over Texas began changing nearby landscapes. At that time, Jarrell's first mayor, Wayne Cavalier, metaphorically, helped what current Mayor Larry Bush calls “Economic Jarrell”* learn to walk. Mayor Bush's distinctive name includes the city proper and everything in the 76537 zip code that contributes to the success of the City.
A "CITY" IS BORN Wayne Cavalier, the future first mayor of Jarrell, and his wife purchased acreage here in 1996 because they were eager to enjoy the space. When his property was damaged by the devastating 1997 tornado, he realized the kindness of Jarrell was, and would be, one of its courtesy Wayne Cavalier defining characteristics. "We weren't able to get onto our property for nearly two weeks, but people from several churches immediately began helping. Folks from all over helped pick up pieces of metal on the former cornfields, and it actually took about two years to finish." In Summer 1999, residents started to feel the impact of development to the north and south of Jarrell. Wayne recalls, "We realized we needed to decide whether we wanted to become a suburb of Georgetown or Salado, or create our own path. I was appointed chair of the committee formed to investigate 16 determining factors—it 6
M AY 2021 MY JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
wasn't just about filling out paperwork with the State. We had to consider things like establishing a formal relationship with the County Sheriff, and what the10 boundaries would be so we could collect taxes and know who was eligible to vote on referenda and in future elections." They put together a PAC to educate residents on what the change would mean and encourage the vote. In May 2000, the first referendum included a vote for incorporation and a planned election for mayor and city council. In May 2001, the new city held its first election. Wayne believes his election was based on the confidence people had in his ideas and his ability to bring things together. He reflects on how different things were at a time not so far in the past; "We went out and talked to neighbors in person. Jarrell was small enough to allow a walk through the community; using family networks to share news and speaking to 'center' groups. We had fewer than 700 people in town and could accommodate them all at the school."
"NOW WHAT?" Wayne says, "The first thing we did was look for someone willing to be City Secretary. The PAC left us $21, and Alana Enriques worked for no pay for 18 months until we were able to establish and collect sales tax that brought revenue for operations. That first check was a big deal." Little by little, leadership began talking about next steps and managing different issues that emerged as the population grew. In 2005, the City made arrangements with the County Sheriff to hire off-duty deputies to be the Jarrell Police. Their positive working relationship meant dedicated police protection during the day, and often at night. It followed, somewhat naturally, that a municipal court was created to manage the tickets that were being written—as Mayor, Wayne was also the first Judge. Looking back, he says, "We recognized that growth and development was coming and there was no question *Jarrell, Sonterra MUD, Jarrell-Schwertner WSC
