District History

District 5840 H I S T O R Y

Rotary International District 5840 lies deep in the heart of Texas, covering an area of 52,466 square miles encompassing 44 counties. There are nine Rotary districts in Texas, with District 5840 having a membership of 2,900. Rotary first came to Texas in 1912 when clubs were chartered in San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. Rotarian Herbert J. Hayes organized the San Antonio Rotary Club, the 52nd Rotary Club to be chartered, in June 1912 with 11 men. Today, the San Antonio club is the largest Rotary club in the world with a membership of more than 600. The Cuero Rotary Club was the second club formed in the District and was sponsored by the Victoria Rotary Club in District 5930. The Cuero Club's charter number 907 was issued May 1, 1921. The Beeville Rotary Club, the third club in the District, was sponsored jointly by the Victoria Rotary Club and the San Antonio Club. Beeville holds charter number 955, issued on May 1, 1921.

Our District has furnished Rotary International with one of its most illustrious president, Harry H. Rogers of San Antonio, in 1926-1927. In 1924-1925 he served as a director of Rotary International and under his dynamic leadership in 1947-1948, he placed the Rotary Foundation on a sound footing.

Past District Governors Bernarr Plummer and W. Dain Higdon served Rotary International Zones 5 and 11 on important committees. PDG Marvin Tomme served on the RI Publications committee in 1985-1986 and as chairman during 1988-1989. PDG Gene Dietert served on the Zones 25 and 16 Nominating Committee in 1996.

> District 5840 clubs by county
> Rotary's First 100 Years