34.
Commissioners Court - Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 02/28/2023
- Title:
- Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a resolution recognizing the extraordinary work and history of Dr. James Lee Dickey.
- Submitted For:
- Russ Boles
- Submitted By:
- Kelley Hernandez, Commissioner Pct. #4
- Department:
- Commissioner Pct. #4
- Agenda Category:
- Regular Agenda Items
Information
Agenda Item
Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a proclamation recognizing the extraordinary work and history of Dr. James Lee Dickey.
Background
Background:
- Dr. James Lee Dickey, a prominent black physician who lived and practiced in Taylor, TX, was born outside of Waco in 1893, graduated from Tillotson College (now Huston-Tillotson) in Austin in 1916, and received his MD from Meharry Medical College in Nashville in 1921.
- Dr. Dickey married Magnolia Flower in 1922 and the couple came to Taylor, TX where they remained for the rest of their lifetimes. They had one son, James Lee Dickey, who now lives in Austin.
- Dr. Dickey established a 3 bed medical clinic that expanded to a 15 bed hospital with modern surgical and obstetrical facilities. He was the only black physician in Williamson County, and only one of 130 black doctors in Texas.
- Dr. Dickey curbed a typhoid epidemic spreading through Taylor's black population in 1933. He went tirelessly through the community giving injections to all who would take them. As with his other services, Dr. Dickey treated all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
- Dr. Dickey also had a profound impact on public health. He realized that many of the community's health problems were due to using unsafe drinking water from Bull Branch Creek and worked with town leaders to provide a city water hydrant in each section of town where it was needed for citizens to fill buckets with clean water for their personal use.
- Bull Branch also separated minority children from their school. They were forced to cross it on a slippery log on which many fell into the creek and were injured. Dr. Dickey convinced city leaders to build the safe and secure footbridge over Bull Branch that still stands today.
- Recognizing that many deaths were also caused by violence, Dr. Dickey helped to develop recreational facilities, including a park for African American youth, a community center building, and later, a balcony at the Taylor Amusement Company where black citizens could attend movies.
- A loyal alumnus and role model, Dr. Dickey served on the board of Trustees at Tillotson College from 1951-1959; the science building is named for him and Theodore K. Lawless, a dermatologist.
- In 1953, at the height of segregation, Dr. Dickey gained national attention when he was elected Taylor's Outstanding Citizen of the Year, the first time a black citizen had been so recognized. That same year Dr. Dickey was named General Practitioner of the Year by the Lone Star State Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association.
- Whereas a group of dedicated citizens, presently led by Ms. Jennifer Harris, has been working diligently for many years to preserve Dr. Dickey's memory and carry forth his legacy. The proposed Dickey Museum & Multipurpose Center, housed in Dr. Dickey's former home, was imagined to create a place for all to share the past and unite future generations to come.
- In 1997, the building now known as the Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center, was donated by St. Mary’s Catholic Church under the pastorship of Father Lonnie Urban.
- In 2003, Prairie View A&M School of Architecture, under the supervision of Professor Barry Norwood, traveled to Taylor to begin Phase 1 of the restoration project. This visit resulted in a scale model of the building and a historical designation for the site by the State of Texas.
- In 2013, Commissioner Ron Morrison presented a flag that flew over the Capitol of Texas the weekend before presenting a Proclamation proclaiming November 12th as Dr. Dickey Day in Taylor, TX. It was signed by Governor Rick Perry.
- Williamson County donated more than $300,000 towards the restoration project, $100,000 from District 4 and the rest from CDBG Funds.
- In February 2022, The Williamson Museum unveiled a newly restored mural of Dr. Dickey, which will ultimately hang in the Dickey Museum & Multipurpose Center, and envisioned many collaborations with the new museum.
- Tragically, on July 10, 2022, when the renovated Dickey Museum was nearing completion, the building was burned to the ground by an arsonist. The community outcry was strong and a Go-Fund-Me page was established. To date, $2,735 has been raised towards the $100,000 goal.
- At the 2022 Juneteenth celebration in Taylor, the Texas Historical Foundation presented a $5,000 grant to the Dickey Museum for the rebuilding effort.
- In October 2022, the Williamson Museum raised $2,500 for the rebuilding at their annual gala fundraiser, Cattleman's Ball.
- On this day, February 28, 2023, this Proclamation by Commissioner Russ Boles, affirms the support of Williamson County to help preserve the memory and continue the legacy of this extraordinary citizen...
Fiscal Impact
| From/To | Acct No. | Description | Amount |
|---|
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge Exec Asst. | Becky Pruitt | 02/22/2023 03:15 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Kelley Hernandez
- Started On:
- 02/16/2023 12:13 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 02/22/2023