A house RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF prosperity AND TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND MAYOR derek underwood, Council members allen gallman, chad hawkins, mike hawkins, and robert martin AND THE CITIZENS OF prosperity FOR ONE AND A HALF CENTURIES OF SHOWCASING BOTH THE BEAUTY AND PROGRESS OF THIS GREAT SOUTH CAROLINA TOWN.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to join the Town of Prosperity in celebrating the milestone of its one hundred fiftieth anniversary; and

Whereas, Prosperity lies in southern Newberry County, and like so many towns in South Carolina, the community developed around the railroad. Prosperity is small-town friendly and blessed with restaurants, antique shops, specialty stores, and wonderful family enjoyment and relaxation at nearby Dreher Island State Recreation Area on Lake Murray; and

Whereas, the town is composed of several century-old homes that have been handed down through generations. This growing community has several new housing developments, with more to come, and a thriving business district. Churches of many denominations call Prosperity home, and the town's schools and teachers have some of the highest ratings in the State. Prosperity's recreation program continues to grow and offers more and more choices for youth; and

Whereas, one hundred years of official tradition is a proud heritage for Prosperity. It is an even prouder heritage when one considers the solid foundation upon which this tradition rests: forty-six years of official community life before the charter of Prosperity and gravestones that attest to settlement by some of the earliest colonists. Captain Matthew Hall was the first settler in the area in 1827. By 1830, he had erected a small dwelling, a little log store twelve by sixteen feet. This was used as the post office from 1832, when Hall was appointed postmaster, to 1848, when it was moved to Stoney Battery; and

Whereas, the next town merchant was David Kibler, who was also the first mayor. The town area these early residents settled was already known locally as Frog Level, and it was chartered as Frog Level in 1851 with the advent of the Southern Railroad. In 1873, at the insistence of a majority of its three hundred citizens, the state legislature changed the name to Prosperity, an appellation presumably borrowed from the name of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian meeting place, which appeared on an 1825 Mills' Atlas map and was designated as Prosperity Meeting House. Today, Prosperity is a delightful community of 1,292 residents that combines old-fashioned charm with all the necessary conveniences; and

Whereas, during its sesquicentennial anniversary year of 2023, the Town of Prosperity will hold a celebratory event on February 22 to commemorate its one and a half centuries of community life. The House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to the people of Prosperity as they anticipate a bright future enhanced by the rich heritage of the past. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the occasion of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the Town of Prosperity and congratulate and commend Mayor Derek Underwood, Council Members Allen Gallman, Chad Hawkins, Mike Hawkins, and Robert Martin and the citizens of Prosperity for one and a half centuries of showcasing both the beauty and progress of this great South Carolina town.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Derek Underwood, Council Members Allen Gallman, Chad Hawkins, Mike Hawkins, and Robert Martin.

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