Humble Police Department: History of the City Seal

The design of the Seal that would eventually be adopted by the City of Humble as their “Official City Seal” actually began as an art assignment. This came about through a collaborate effort between the local Humble Heritage Committee, James Tull Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and the local Bicentennial Committee. The Chairman of the Humble Bicentennial Committee Mrs. Mary Virginia Reed asked Mrs. Peggy Davis who was a member of the James Tull chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to come up with a design for the cover of the book that was under current development for the “History of the Humble Area”. The Humble area history book was being developed to coincide with America’s upcoming Bicentennial celebration (1776 – 1976). Mrs. Davis was the art editor she was chosen for this position due to her extensive art background. Mrs. Davis had decided that the design of the cover should be a direct reflection of the local area, and its proud connection to the State of Texas. Mrs. Davis received assistance from several other history book committee members they were identified as Tommye Marsh, Ester Duran, and Jewel Wilpitz. These women assisted Mrs. Davis with the various elements that would be incorporated into the art design. The final artwork created a design that was formed into a seal. This seal design would later be embossed into the cover of the Humble Area History book. The collective efforts of these women and their intimate knowledge of the historical background of the Humble area played a vital role in the overall development from the initial concept, to the final design.

The elements of the seal contain the following items. The Lone Star which represents the State of Texas is prominently displayed in the center of the Seal. Located in the center of the Lone Star in its original design was the bicentennial date of (1776 – 1976) this date would remain when first adopted, but it later would be changed to the city’s date of incorporation which was (1933), it is not uncommon to see both of these seal’s still in use on city vehicles, letterhead, etc., both are still considered proper and acceptable. In the top right hand outside corner of the star is a Saw Mill, which relates to the city’s ties to the local timber industry. The timber from these local saw mills provided building material for homes, business, and for temporary roads used in the oil fields of the Humble area. The abundance of tall strong timber was a significant factor in the area that allowed Humble to grow and prosper with its first pioneers who settled this area of Harris County, and this prosperity with timber would continue well into the mid twentieth century. It was during that time that the largest saw mill in Texas was operated in Humble.

Located in the bottom right outside corner of the star you will see a mounted Cowboy and Cattle. This element is a direct reflection to the cattle industry which many of the original settlers of the Humble area were very involved in. The City of Humble was a regional leader in beef cattle production, as a railhead, when the last big cattle drive came to Humble, cattle from five (5) surrounding counties were driven to Humble. The success and prosperity in beef production was due to the abundance of good grazing land, railhead for transporting, and the areas close proximity to Houston where many of the livestock would eventually be sold.

The bottom center of the seal would contain a Church; this would be used to symbolize a composite of all of the varied religious and cultural backgrounds of the citizens that would make up the city of Humble . The left side of the Lone Star would contain the image of an Airplane, and Air Traffic Control Tower which references (Bush) Intercontinental Airport located nearby. This would be used to symbolize the modern city that Humble has become, with the airport one the seven (7) busiest airports in America.

The last element of the design would be located in the top left hand corner of the Lone Star. This element would contain the images of multiple Oil Derricks which would symbolize the rich history of the oil fields of the Humble area. One of the world’s largest and best known Oil Companies began here, and took its original name from the city itself. It was first known as the Humble Oil and Refinery Company, then it changed its name to Esso Company, and then to Exxon Mobile Oil Company. The City’s newly adopted seal would be placed within a border which consisted of a circle, encased by another circle. And the center of this border would be the words “City of Humble” placed in the upper portion of the emblem. And the words “Harris County, Texas” would be placed at the bottom portion of the emblem. These elements when combined together would later become the new and official Seal for the City of Humble.

On Thursday February 10, 1977 the Humble City Council voted to adopt this new design as the official seal of the City of Humble. Those City officials present at the time of this adoption was Mayor Dr. Hayden McKay, and City Council members Barto Watson, Lowell Montgomery, A.G. Braddick, Jerry Hamilton, and C.A. Younts, along with City Manager Fred Underwood, and City Secretary Georgia Joachim (Fields). In addition the two election Judges were also present who were identified as Allen Lee and Byron Calfee. The adoption of the City seal was item number eleven (#11) on the council agenda on that night. The City manager Fred Underwood read the proposal to the council; Barto Watson moved that the new seal presented to council be adopted as the official seal for the City of Humble. The motion was carried, without further discussion.

From that moment until the present this emblem has come to represent the City of Humble, and its citizens, and employees. And it is this emblem (the City Seal) that the area residents and citizens have come to identify with as being unique to the City of Humble.

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