Stephenville recently had a special visitor as Cecilia Abbott, First Lady of Texas and Governor Greg Abbott’s wife, chose the community to come visit on her Main Street tour.
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, there was a celebratory event in honor of the Stephenville Main Street program entering the statewide Main Street network. The event was held by the Texas Main Street Program, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Texas Historical Commission, Independent Bankers Association of Texas and Erath County.
Since entering the program in 2021, Stephenville has supported downtown businesses and expanded the Saturday Farmer’s Market.
Additionally, Stephenville Main Street has strengthened partnerships with Tarleton State University and other organizations, as well as planned several special events to promote downtown businesses and increase visitation. Downtown Stephenville has had six private-sector rehabilitation projects, four public-private projects and a net gain of eight businesses and 22 jobs.
“We entered the Texas Main Street Program in 2021 and are very excited about this journey for our community and have already started implementing new events and partnerships. The Main Street program allows us to celebrate our past while looking forward to a future of revitalization and economic growth for our downtown, and our hometown,” Main Street Manager Julie Smith said.
Since 1981, every Texas First Lady has participated in the First Lady’s Main Street Tour, an event that features a public ceremony with her remarks and a reception to celebrate the community’s entrance into the statewide Main Street program. Stephenville was one of two community’s visited on Tuesday with the other being Hamilton.
The event included remarks from Stephenville Main Street, Vice Chair of the Texas Historical Commission Catherine McKnight, representative from Independent Bankers of Texas Stephen Scurlock, City of Stephenville Mayor Doug Svien and the First Lady of Texas.
Minister’s Alliance representative Pastor Curt Plaxco offered the invocation, a presentation of colors was done by the Tarleton Corps of Cadets, the National Anthem was presented by the SHS Wind Ensemble.