New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 21

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1416

USA > Texas > New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1 > Part 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Stephens County, of which Breckenridge is the county seat and principal business center, was formerly devoted to stock raising. In the memory of many of the local citizens, herds of cattle grazed on the open range which covered a large portion of this part of the State. In recent years, with the dividing of the land in smaller tracts, the raising of small grain became the principal industry. The greatest drawback to this section is the lack of rain in some seasons.

The assessed valuation of Breckenridge for 1921 is approximately $12,000,000. This is an increase over 1920 of $10,000,000. More than fifty one, two

Coadulation and Sedimentation Basin of Walker-Caldwell Water Company, Breckenridge

and three story fireproof buildings have been con- structed recently. Bonds have beeen voted in the sum of $600,000 for street improvements; $300,000 for sewerage; $350,000 for additional school build- ings, the work for which will begin immediately. Breckenridge has a first class post office, employing 31 persons. Total receipts for the past four months were $413,563.92. Stamp sales totaled $28,130.33, while money orders issued totaled $390,233.59. Breckenridge has a building program for 1921-1922 calling for an expenditure of $300,000, of which $2,500,000 has already been expended. This build- ing program included hotels, business blocks, office buildings, churches and schools. The Baptist and Presbyterian churches have now under construction

Pump Station at Dam at Crystal Falls, from which the Water Supply of Breckenridge is Secured

new buildings costing $100,000 and $45,000 respect- ively. Breckenridge today is the largest and morally the best city in the "West Texas Oil Belt," and with its rapid growth and permanency assured we heartily invite the "new comer."

110

HISTORY OF RANGER By M. H. HAGAMAN

T HE story of Ranger, through the years of struggle for a bare and scant existence, to the present prosperous City reads like a fairy story of old. Less than six years ago, with a popula- tion of seven hundred native West Texans, there was no indication of what would be the future history of this little village. Though there were some whose optimism, even in the face of hardships occasioned by the drought, led them to believe in the possi- bility of finding oil beneath the rocky surface, yet few, if any, foresaw the growth and phenomenal development which was destined to make Ranger known throughout the whole world as she is today.

When oil was first discovered in October 1917, on the McClesky farm, through the united efforts of Mr. Marston, Mr. Gordon and several enterprising citizens among whom were Mr. John M. Gholson, H. R. Gholson, M. H. Hagaman, strangers began to arrive in large numbers and by July, 1918, four thousand pilgrims to the promising El Dorado scurried hither and thither in a mad disorderly fashion, com- peting for the almighty dollar. There was no City Government, but the old citizens of Ranger were destined to maintain the good reputation of their home town and in order that she might go forward with more rapidity, a Chamber of Commerce was organized and an experienced Secretary placed in charge. The result was a clean-up both from moral and sanitary standpoint. New industries and mer- cantile establish- ments came every week. Streets, room- ing houses, trains be- came so congested so as to tax every re- source of the com- munity.

In the early part of 1919 a movement was started to incorpor- ate the city, and at the election in Feb- ruary, a large ma- jority was cast in favor of incorpora- tion. Later in April, a charter election, ac- cepting the Commis- sion plan was car- ried, and though the administration was hampered by reason of not having any funds the benefits of the organized ma- chinery of City Gov- ernment have been in- numerable. In the

meantime an unprecedented development was taking place in the surrounding oil field. Leases com- manded fabulous prices and in a very short time practically every tract of land within a radius of thirty miles was leased. Farmers who had struggled for years for a scant living became suddenly rich and a large number moved to nearby cities to enjoy a well earned rest. All the large oil companies and inde- pendent as well as scores of newly organized com- panies secured holdings and vied with one another in drilling into the pay sand until the country for six miles about the city is a veritable forest of oil rigs.

Ranger became a city of 25,000 to 30,000, streets were paved, modern schools and office buildings were erected and a fine clean city was built where oil men and ranchers could bring their families to live in order to properly educate their children.

Since the oil boom subsided, the city of Ranger has settled down to a steady but continuous progress. It is the commercial center for a vast area of West Texas and the unlimited quantity of natural gas here assures the city of Ranger a prominent and permanent place among the leading cities of West Texas.

The big permanent building period began im- mediately after the fire and a transformation, almost as if by magic, has taken place in a little less than two years. More than twenty five, two, three- four and six-story brick buildings costing from $50,000 to $350,000 have been erected in the business district. They are buildings modern and substantial. Bonds were voted by the citizens and one of the largest paving contracts ever let in Texas, covering sixty- seven blocks in the business district, was let and work started late in 1919. By the end of 1920, forty blocks of this contract had been completed with the prospect that the entire contract will be completed by the middle of 1921.

RANGER GAR L., DISTRIBUTOR

OMMERCIAL HOTEL

The Principal Business Street of Ranger on a Busy Day Ranger has Modern Office Buildings and Several Miles of Paved Streets

111

MINERAL WELLS By MINERAL WELLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RAY LEEMAN, Manager

M INERAL Wells, "Na- ture's Great Sanita- rium," is in pictur- esque Palo Pinto County, fif- ty-three miles west of Fort Worth on the Texas & Pa- cific Railroad and the Bank- head National Highway. Min- eral Wells has been a boon to the health and happiness of thousands of people from every state in the Union and from nearly every foreign country on the globe. It has made them enjoy the more 4 living today and look to the morrow with greater joy and anticipation; it has added to the days of their usefulness and the hours of their recreation.

Nature smiled upon the beautiful valley where lies Mineral Wells and gave a beautiful and charm- ing setting to the city. Texas knows no more pic- turesque land than the beautiful Palo Pinto moun- tain country. The winding highways that radiate in every direction from Mineral Wells are a con- stant delight to the motorist.

Along these highways is some of the most ma- jestic scenery in the state. Think of the spots of beauty and grandeur that must have conjured up the names of Devil's Hollow, Witch's Rock, Hang- ing Rock, Lover's Retreat, Inspiration Point, Reve- lation Point, the Pinnacle and Penitentiary Trap. Think of the joy of motoring only a few minutes from the city to a high pinnacle overlooking the majestic Brazos, where in the blue haze of the horizon, your eyes can view five counties.

Mineral Wells is recommended by reputable physi- cians throughout the United States. Railroad rates are available the year 'round from everywhere, while special week-end rates prevail from all points in Texas in the summer. Golfing is available most every day in the year while swimming, boating, fish-

Bathing Scene Near the Beautiful City of Mineral Wells

ing and many other sports are indulged in by the thousands of visitors. Recently one of the most complete and comfortable automobile tourist parks in the Southwest has been completed. It is only

eight blocks from the heart of the city and is equipped with all the things that make camping a pleasure.

Mineral Wells has a full quota of modern mer- chandise establishments and the prices are not ex- orbitant. One of the largest inland lakes in Texas has recently been completed. It covers 1,000 acres and has an average depth of 30 feet. A great out- door swimming pool has been built in connection with this lake and a concrete wading pool for the- kiddies has been provided.

The region surrounding Mineral Wells is prolific with the sweetmeats of Nature. Tickle the rich sandy loam and it laughs a harvest as rich and re- plete as it is diversified. Here are raised some of

Mineral Wells, One of the Leading Health and Pleasure Resorts of Texas

the finest watermelons in the world. The straw- berries are rich in flavor and red with their luscious juices. Of course this is a great live stock coun- try and the crops include all kinds of fruits and vegetables, pecans, peaches, corn, wheat, cotton, grain, etc. The dairy and beef cattle industry of Palo Pinto County stands among the first in the state. Tillable land is available at reasonable prices.

Mineral Wells boasts the largest mineral water bottling plant in the world. Here, too, are the larg- est drinking pavilions in the country. Mineral Wells is not only a good place to visit and recuperate, but it is a good place to live. The natural beauty of the surrounding country and the delightful all-year climate make this naturally an ideal home spot. The added attractions are good schools, modern churches, natural gas for all purposes in unlimited quantities and at a low rate, paved streets, an abundance of good drinking water, hospitable neighbors and the pleasant and congenial surroundings of a moderate sized city, coupled with a distinct metropolitan at- mosphere.

Mineral Wells offers advantages favorable to the location of industries and would be an ideal college town. Being hard by one of the greatest natural gas fields in the United States, an abundance of fuel at a low cost is assured. Living conditions are unexcelled and housing facilities are exceptionally reasonable. Climatic conditions are advantageous and a healthy, happy existence is assured.

Of recent years, Mineral Wells has taken on a splendid and solid growth and is rapidly forging to the front, not only as the great resort city of West Texas, but as one of the larger cities of that great empire.

112

AUSTIN, THE HOME CITY By AUSTIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

I N building a city of homes, homes which are al- ways a delight to live in, many conveniences must be added to the work nature has done for the locality in order that people may desire to live there.

Nature has given to Austin and its surrounding territory climate, sunshine, water and scenery, and the hand of man has done the rest.

In 1836, the Republic of Texas appointed a Com- mission whose duty it was to locate the capital of the Republic. A Republic whose area was more than one-twelfth as large as the present total area of the United States. This commission looked over the whole of Texas and then unanimously selected the present site of Austin. This site was near the cen- ter of the Republic and selected on its merit and nat- ural beauty.

The city is built on the edge of the Edwards pla- teau with the altitude ranging from 500 to 700 feet above sea level. The Colorado River flows through the south side of the city but the water never dis- turbs the inhabitants along its course. The banks of this stream are of limestone from 40 to 60 feet above the water.

Beginning at Austin and going northward, the Colorado has cut a canyon through limestone hills for a distance of 250 miles. This fact makes pos- sible the utilization of water power without any great engineering difficulties, such as are charac- teristic of nearly all other rivers. From six to eight dams could be built across the river at a min- imum expense. The dam which has been built at Austin, when completed, will generate 6,000 H. P. per day. This dam now forms a lake 28 miles long where fishing, boating, swimming and other sports are engaged in throughout the year. This lake is ac- cessible by automobile and street cars. The lake is 65 feet deep.

There are a number of bathing beaches, such as Deep Eddy and Barton Springs which provide ad- ditional recreation for all visitors and residents.

The homes of Austin are beautiful throughout the

year by every type of flower which grows in the south. Each season of the year produces its abun- dance of wild flowers in the fields, along the road sides, and on the hills.

In making this a home city, the citizens of Austin have taken particular care to see that its water supply is maintained not only in abundance but of

Looking up the Main Thoroughfare of Austin Towards the Capitol Building

the highest quality. Street car service is provided to every section. The city being well drained there are rarely ever any mosquitoes.

There are within the city nearly 60 Churches, rep- resenting the principal denominations. There are also Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A organizations. The Country Club is one of the best to be found in Texas with beautiful grounds and scenery.

The area of the city is 16 square miles. There are 195 miles of streets, 35 miles of which are paved and tarviated. There are 69 miles of sewer mains and 64 miles of gas mains. There are a number of high class theatres and moving picture shows which con- tribute to the pleasure of all.

Surrounding Austin there are 340 miles of mac- adamized and tarviated roads which traverse the hills and mountains west of the city as well as the level farming land to the east. There are four na-

Lake Austin, only a Short Ride from the Heart of the City; A Popular Watering Place for University Students and Residents of Austin

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

tional highways passing through Austin, these are the Meridian Highway, The International Paved Way, the King of Trails and the Southern Highway.

The business men and other citizens of Austin have organized a number of clubs which are working for the upbuilding and beautification of Austin and its surrounding territory. The principal one of these clubs is the Chamber of Commerce which has been working for Austin for nearly forty years. The or- ganization has a permanent building on Congress Avenue in which center every activity of the city and surrounding country. This organization is backed financially by every leading business con- cern of any importance in the city. The farmers and stockmen in the country are joining the organi- zation as a business proposition and are receiving many benefits. The Rotary Club, Lions Club, and Kiwanis Club are strong allies of the Chamber of Commerce in the work which it is doing. There is never any friction between these organizations and the value of progressive spirit which these clubs in inculcating in the minds of the citizens of this city cannot be estimated. The Retail Merchants Asso- ciation and the Credit Men's Association are two of the most valuable assets the retailers and whole- salers have. Among the citizens of Austin of na- tional and international repute are Col. E. M. House, A. S. Burleson, T. W. Gregory, D. F. Houston, R. E. Vinson and Mrs. Percy V. Pennybecker.

Throughout the city are located many beautiful parks whose grassy slopes are dotted with live oak trees and mountain laurel in great profusion. Among these parks are; Woolridge Park, Pease Park, the City Park at Lake Austin. One of the striking beauties of Austin is the wide paved streets whose parked centers are carefully kept.

The public schools in Austin, numbering sixteen in all have the highest scholarship classification of any schools in Texas. There is also located in Austin the Texas State University which has an enrollment of 3,500. The Texas school of the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institute, Wesleyan College, Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a number of private schools are located here.

Austin was one of the first cities in Texas to adopt the Commission form of government. The wealth of the city is estimated at seventy-five million dollars and the wealth of the county outside of the city is estimated at sixty-seven million dollars. The Post Office receipts for 1918 were $268,579.83. Austin has four banks and two trust companies. The clear- ings for 1918 were $185,372,224.38.

The State Capitol of Texas located at Austin is the largest building of its kind in the United States. This building is constructed of Texas Granite and is surrounded by beautifully parked grounds. A number of modern office buildings, notably the Scarborough building, Littlefield building and the Austin Na- tional Bank Building provide offices for all types of businesses. Accommodations are found in the hotels for all the travelers and strangers who visit the city.

In the country surrounding Austin, the prospective home seeker will find any type of soil he desires. There is the rich alluvial bottom land which costs from $200 to $250 per acre. There is the rich fertile black prairie land which is worth from $125 to $200 per acre. In the western part of the county the hilly land which has some farming land on it can be pur- chased at from $5 to $10 per acre. At the present time there are 5,697 homes in Travis county. The average rainfall in this county is 35 inches per year. This

is sufficient rainfall to produce any of the staple crops which are grown in Texas. The principal crops raised in Travis county are, cotton, corn, cane and a variety of hay crops. Peaches, plums and grapes produce abundant crops when properly cared for. One of the vegetable crops produced in winter is spinach. Austin ships annually from 200 to 500 cars of spinach. This is the largest producing point for spinach in the south. The climate and soil are especially adapted to the production of this vege- table which does not do so well at many other points where the winter is too severe or where the soil does not contain such essential elements as iron. There are many other vegetable crops as well as farm crops which pay well in Travis and surrounding counties.

The temperature of this section is maintained at a comfortable degree throughout the summer by gulf breezes which blow principally from the south or southeast.

The normal cotton crop of Travis county is sev- enty thousand bales, while there are approximately four hundred thousand bales produced in the trade territory of Austin.

The dairy industry is becoming an important fac- tor each year. The eradication of ticks is bringing into this county full blooded registered stock from the best herds of the nation.

There is marketed at Austin each year around two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of turkeys. These are killed, picked and shipped to market in refrigerator cars. The field for raising chickens and turkeys is unlimited.

Among the industries of Austin are the following factories: Canning plant for chili; factory for gas engines; brick; candy; bottling; cigars; flour; cotton seed oil; mattresses, cots, beds; mill work; doors; soap; ice; trunk; monuments; also creameries and cotton gins.

One of the factories badly needed to utilize the spare labor in Austin is a cotton mill.

The transportation lines with railroads to Austin are the International - Great Northern; Missouri- Kansas-Texas and the Southern Pacific. The freight tonnage of Austin for 1918 was 1,314,900 tons. The value of the public and High School prop- erty is $1,113,000.00. The minimum water rate is 50c for 2,500 gallons. The electric power rate is 21/2c per K. W. for over 3,000 K. W.s.

Austin is one of the most attractive residence cities of the South. It particularly appeals to the highly cultured and educated class of citizens. A great many state officials often serving their term in office and becoming imbued with the charm of Austin make this Capital City their permanent place of abode.

Many well-to-do or retired business men from the cities and ranchers from the rural district move to Austin to give their children the advantages of an education in the splendid schools or the University.

In close proximity to Austin are many attractive places to go for vacation time. The Colorado river, above the city is noted for its beautiful scenery. Motor boats can go many miles up the river through as fine a stretch of attractive scenery as can be found in the South. The Colorado river is teeming with fish which gives an unlimited field of sport to the angler. Lake Austin also is a natural vacation spot with facilities for boating, fishing, swimming and picnicking.

114

THE WONDERFUL RESOURCES OF WEST TEXAS

By PORTER A. WHALEY Manager West Texas Chamber of Commerce

H ARASSED by misleading and often by

malicious statements affecting the very life blood of her civilization, following the nearly state-wide drouth of 1917, and keenly feeling that she was the victim of misunderstanding and preju- dice, in December, 1918, a small but representative group of West Texans assembled in Fort Worth and there took initial action towards the organization of a movement which should always have as its prime idea the importance of correctly portraying the actual facts as they might exist with regard to life, progress and truth in the regions making up the domain of West Texas.

It is an interesting fact that the so-called drouth of 1917 extended over a larger proportionate ter- ritory in the eastern than in the western half of Texas. The drouth may, in a broad sense, be said to have approximated the area of the state, yet it is a perfectly true statement to say that of the regions not affected or only slightly affected more of them were located in west than in east Texas. Perhaps the territory most seriously affected was Central Texas. Yet, it seemed to be the custom of most Texans to refer to what they termed the "Drouth in West Texas." Abortive plans were placed under way to raise a sum of money which it was advertised was to "relieve the drouth in West Texas" ad in- finitum. Comparatively a small sum of money was raised, most of which was given to itinerants, and finally the remaining balance, representing a con- siderable part of the total, was given to the Kerr- ville tubercular hospital. Yet as late as during the special session of the state legislature at Austin in August, 1921, Senator Darrough of Texarkana de- livered an address before the senate of Texas astounding for its misinformation on the "relief given West Texas," and we were informed that "East Texas, in her generosity would be willing again to extend relief, if in the meantime most of the people had not returned to their former homes in the princely land of East Texas," and the sad thing about such statements is that thousands be- lieve them. It is in the black land belt particu- larly-that region of Texas noted for its high land values and low assessed valuation-and where there is general mis-information and a growing prejudice against West Texas.

In view of the fact that West Texas pays propor- tionately a much larger part of the state taxes, and in fact has such a large over-plus proportionate payment as to make what in fact is in reality an annual contribution to the rest of the state aggre- gating millions of dollars, it does seem absurd that Senator Darrough should in his ignorance prate as he did in the last special session.

Much of this mis-information is due not to a desire to damage West Texas, but is due to a general mis- understanding of life on the plains of West Texas.

Purpose. It is therefore the primal purpose of the West Texas Chamber of Commerce to endeavor in a myriad of ways to dissipate mis-understanding of the truly remarkable life and pulsating civiliza- tion of the hardy, prosperous and thrifty people now living in West Texas, and in its place to repose an understanding of the causes back of the great exodus which in twenty years has sent more than 1,000,000

native white Americans upon the lands of West Texas, and of the causes as they cumulate which for many years yet to come are to continue this movement. It is its purpose to stimulate all that is best in community and rural life, and to build up a consciousness of duty towards one-self, his neighbors and his community, and to assist in di- recting the mighty forces which fundamentally are creating a new civilization upon this threshold of the Southwest. Making people think is a necessary prelude towards getting people to act. Therefore thought should be followed by action, and no theory is worth while which fails in the acid test of action.

Practical Things Done. Therefore the men who first originated the ideas of the organization rightly decided that they would bring into play a plan of operation which would cause the actual doing of practical, tangible things. Hence a program-and following that the instituting of bureaus, etc. After a working staff was appointed the first immediate object was to obtain its membership. It is interest- ing to note how the various towns in West Texas have become interested. Today the association has its members in practically every hamlet onward to the largest cities in West Texas. The present mem- bership includes the affiliation of 264 cities and towns, and a total of 5,157 members.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 21

Author: Davis, Ellis A. Publication date: 1926 Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?] Number of Pages: 1416

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1416