A house RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF SENECA AND TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND MAYOR DANIEL W. ALEXANDER AND THE CITIZENS OF SENECA 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 Seneca in celebrating the milestone of its one hundred fiftieth anniversary; and

Whereas, Seneca lies in Oconee County on the edge of the Blue Ridge segment of the Appalachian Mountains, and as with so many towns in South Carolina, the community developed around the railroad. Seneca is small-town friendly and blessed with deliciously tempting restaurants, boutique shops, and wonderful family activities all year long; and

Whereas, according to early historians, the construction of the Atlanta and Richmond Air Line Railway was the first boost to what we know as Seneca. The property conveyed to it would allow an intersection of the Blue Ridge Railroad and the Atlanta and Richmond Air Line Railway at the point where the city of Seneca now stands. It is believed that the first passenger train ran through Seneca on, or within a few days of, September 28, 1873; and

Whereas, the city was chartered in 1873 and incorporated on March 14, 1874, as Seneca City, a name derived from a 1700s village, Esseneca, inhabited by the indigenous Cherokee people. In 1906 or 1908, under a new charter, "City" was dropped from the name, and it became the present-day Seneca; and

Whereas, Seneca became a lake resort area because of the construction of three major dam projects. Three lakes (Hartwell, Keowee, and Jocassee) now support public utilities, lake recreation, lakefront residency, and water supply to the city; and

Whereas, for area students, modern Seneca's location near Clemson University, Southern Wesleyan University, Anderson University, and Tri-County Technical College makes commuting to college classes convenient; and

Whereas, today, Seneca is a delightful community of 8,850 that combines old-fashioned rural charm with modern conveniences. Its downtown historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, adds to the warm, friendly atmosphere and grace of this mountain city; and

Whereas, during its sesquicentennial anniversary year of 2023, the City of Seneca will hold five celebratory events, climaxing with the Sesquicentennial Festival on August 12 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 Seneca 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 City of Seneca and congratulate and commend Mayor Daniel W. Alexander and the citizens of Seneca 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 Daniel W. Alexander.

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