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The first formal step in Spring Valley Village becoming a City took place on December 14, 1954, when a petition for incorporation signed by twenty-six residents was presented to Harris County Judge Bob Casey. This requested the incorporation of the Town of Spring Valley Village under the provisions of Chapter 11, Title 8, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925.
An election on April 9, 1955, to decide the incorporation issue passed by a vote of 183 to 165, and Judge Casey declared the Town of Spring Valley Village to be incorporated on April 25, 1955. On June 30, 1955, Judge Casey swore William F. Cannon into office as the first Mayor of Spring Valley Village, along with Alderman Norman E. Walsh, W. Floyd Clark, and Ray B. Moroney.
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1930 - Campbell Road. - Spring Branch Volunteer Fire Department |
The desire for zoning having been the primary reason for incorporation, the Council adopted Ordinance 1, Book 1, on July 18, 1955 which regulated the issuance of building permits. This was followed by passing an ordinance governing subdivisions on October 10, 1955. A Zoning Commission was created on January 24, 1956. A Zoning Ordinance was adopted on April 2, 1956. Having no municipal water and sewer systems nor fire department, and the area having many trees, the greatest portion of Spring Valley Village was zoned residential and limited to one-family, one-story dwellings. From time to time, the Zoning Ordinance has been amended and rewritten  to strengthen and better serve the majority of the property owners. In 1981, the major change was made when two-story houses were permitted for the first time.
The streets of Spring Valley Village reflect names of families who either owned or developed that area. What is called Westview Drive today was once called Holms Road for the E. J. Holm family. Fries Road, named after Mr. And Mrs. Fries honored a family who owned one of several plant nurseries in the area. Beutel Street was named after Mr. And Mrs. Louis Beutel who owned most of the Osborne Survey, which consisted of tracts of land given by Sam Houston to men who served in the army of the Republic of Texas.
Term of Office from 1957-1959 |
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Seated Left to right: Mrs. Jessie Kaiser, City Secretary; Ken Bradshaw, Mayor; James Lyons, Councilman; Tom L. Johnson, Jr., Councilman & Mayor Pro-Tem; Jack Holloway, Councilman; R. E. Storms, Councilman; Clarence Holiman, Councilman; J. E. Tucker, City Treasurer; Walt Sutherland, City Attorney. Standing Left to Right: Judge Karl Adams; Mrs. Ida Lee Cuevas, City Publicity Director;Cief Percy Clayton, Chief of Police. |
The population of the town grew rapidly after incorporation and exceeded six hundred residents when on April 16, 1957, the Council adopted an ordinance whereby the Town of Spring Valley Village was to be known as the City of Spring Valley Village.
Police services provided another reason for incorporation. As first, Spring Valley Village had a Marshall who received only car expenses. The Spring Valley Village Police Department now offers twenty-four hour protection provided by a Chief, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Detective, many officers, and civilian personnel. The department provides protection to Hilshire Village under a contract agreement.
 Fire protection during the same time grew from a volunteer to a career department incorporated as the Village Fire Department. Emergency Medical Services staffed by paramedics are provided as well. Costs to operate the department are shared by the six Villages served.
On July 3, 1983, the City Hall was dedicated to the citizens of Spring Valley Village. The building is wheelchair accessible and houses offices for City officials as well as a Municipal Court Room and Police Department.
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