Good evening!

My name is Ryan Hildebrandt.  I am 19 years old.  Since the day I was born I have resided on the land on the corner of Rhodes Road and Spring Stuebner.  This 111 acres was purchased on January 11, 1887 by my Great-Great Grandfather, Theodore Hildebrandt, for a sum of 800 dollars.  As the fifth generation to live there it is my privilege to speak here tonight.

My Great-Great-Great Grandfather, John Hildebrandt, immigrated to the United States from then Prussia in the mid 1800's.  Along with him came the majority of his children and their spouses.  Among these was my Great-Great Grandfather Theodore Hildebrandt who settled on the land on which I now reside.  The original homestead, still standing at the Southeast corner of Rhodes Road and Spring Stuebner, was built in approximately 1890.  Theodore Hildebrandt and his wife, Marie Kaiser, who was born in the area, gave birth to 9 children.  Of those nine, six settled on land adjacent to Spring Stuebner.  Much of this land is still owned by family members today.  The original land was kept in the family by son Bernhart Hildebrandt, who continued ranching and farming during the years he owned it.  Earl Hildebrandt, my grandfather, acquired the land from his father Bernhart, and is now the current owner.  My grandfather owned and operated a successful dairy on the property for numerous years.  However, as the strength of agriculture declined in the area, my grandpa got out of the dairy business in light of better economic opportunities.  The land was then ranched by Earl's brother, Alfred Hildebrandt until nearly 16 years ago when my father began running cattle on the land as a source of extra income.  I was only very young at the time, but throughout the years I have helped my father more and more and to that end I have become the fifth generation of Hildebrandt's to farm this land.  The homestead has housed all five generations of Hildebrandts to live and work this property.  I was born in that house, also my father, grandfather, and great grandfather were born in that house.  The property has been registered with the State of Texas as a historical farm remaining in one family for well over a century, and the homestead is a historical landmark.

Through the years we have seen a number of encroachments onto the property. The original right-of-way for Spring Stuebner was donated entirely from our property.  At the time it was only a gravel road used to transport horses and carriages, and was built by then County Commissioner Carl Hildebrandt.  In addition, five individual pipelines have also been buried under the property.  These pipelines could hamper future development of the land, and have defaced the natural drainage and leveling of the property.  Also, a high voltage highline crosses the property, carrying with it possible health risks.  Finally, and most recently, the widening of Spring Stuebner in which approximately one half acre was taken, in return my grandfather received less than the tax appraised value for this valuable road frontage property.

It may be necessary to continue with such improvements, but with regards to the Grand Parkway, I feel it is a mistake.  I have heard about the proposed Grand Parkway, and that it may effect me almost as long as I can remember.  During this span the area has seen tremendous growth.  With this growth many many more people have their homes, businesses, and property directly in the path of any number of Grand Parkway alignments.  While I have shared my story with you today, I am sure it would be equally disheartening for each and everyone of you to return to your homes and perhaps the site of some of your fondest memories only to find it in the shadow of a looming freeway.  With few access ramps, noise and air pollution, as well as a host of other drawbacks, the benefits of this project will be only minimal in the area.  Especially when compared to the losses of the people living here, and with that said my family will not donate any land to this cause.

In closing, I would again like to thank you for your time this evening, and I would also like to share with you a brief story that my grandpa told me.  When my great-great grandparents settled here they lived in a small cabin.  The floor and walls were made of slab wood, which is the rounded edges of a tree removed from the outside before sawing the more expensive straight boards.  Apparently, the wood was not straight enough to seal off, and large cracks could be found in both the walls and the floor.  After visiting a fairly affluent neighbor my Great-Great Grandmother told her husband very simply, that all she wanted was to live in a house where she could not see the ground through the floor.  I am here to tell you tonight that all I want is to continue living in a house where I cannot see the Grand Parkway.