[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23669]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE TOWN OF ELBERTA, ALABAMA, ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the community of 
Elberta, Alabama, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its 
founding.
  The site for Elberta was initially chosen by three German 
businessmen--Alexander Klappenback, F.W. Herdrick, and Henry Bartling--
who had journeyed to Baldwin County from Chicago, Illinois, for the 
purpose of creating a German settlement. The Baldwin County 
Colonization Company was created in November, 1903, to develop this 
settlement in an area along Perdido Bay known as the ``Elberta 
District.'' The town originally consisted of ten miles of roads and 
land that was divided into plots of 20- and 40 acres and sold to 
families moving into that area.
  The first families arrived in the new settlement of Elberta in 
January 1904, and the area began to grow and prosper. Nearly five 
decades later, the Elberta Lions Club started a movement within the 
community to push for the incorporation of the area. The incorporation 
effort was successful, and one year later the first mayor and city 
council were elected for the newly created town of Elberta.
  During its 100 years in existence, the members of this community have 
created a very rich and diverse history, and have worked tirelessly to 
provide the best benefits possible for themselves and their county. In 
the five decades that have passed since the incorporation of the town, 
the citizens and leaders of Elberta have done extensive work to put 
into place the resources that could be used to attract outside industry 
and lead to an increase in the population base.
  Mr. Speaker, the residents of Elberta, Alabama, are firmly rooted in 
their proud past, and at the same time are keeping a careful and 
optimistic eye on the road ahead. The vision displayed by their 
community leaders during the past 100 years has led to the creation of 
a stable community and an anchor for all of Baldwin County, and I have 
no doubt that the continued inspired leadership and vision of today's 
residents and leaders will lead to even greater successes in the years 
ahead. It is my hope the Town of Elberta continues its story of success 
for another 100 years.

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