United States / Winters, TX

Winters State Bank. Founded 1906 by John Q. McAdams, who served 17 years as cashier, and since as president. Original capitalization was $15,000. First located immediately south; moved to this site 1909. Bought Farmers and Merchants State Bank, 1913; First National Bank of Winters, 1937. Building was enlarged 1924 and 1954. Founder was treasurer (1918) and president (1931-1932), Texas State Bankers Association; State Banking Commissioner (1941-1944); held office as president of the State Banks Division, American Bankers Association (1950-51). Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, 1967 #5873

N. Main & E. Dale Sts., Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #01077

Cotton Production in Runnels County. In 1884, when most of Runnels County was range for livestock, R.F. Counts (1838-1892) planted an experimental cotton field near this site. His success encouraged other area farmers, who raised 88 bales in 1888. First cotton gin in the nearby town of Content was a converted corn and flour mill. C.W. Miller and C.E. Woodrow built a new gin (1 mile northeast) about 1897. The county had about 40 gins to process its peak harvest of 78,172 bales in 1932. Cotton boosted property values in this area and remains a principal crop. #1077

FM 382 via FM 1770 from Winters, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #01083

Counts Cemetery. Earliest known interment was that of a child, Mary Louisa Hale, on November 30, 1880. In January, 1884, Andy and Christian Fannin sold 4 acres to M. C. Bright, J. M. Carter, R. F. Counts, John A. Chambers, J. M. Givens, D. W. and William Hale, Alf A. Hanscomb, J. T. Hardegree, P. Hawkins, F. B. Massengale, Jesse Rogers, and C. C. Simmons as a public cemetery for the rural community of "Content". The plot was named for R. F. Counts, who bought the surrounding property in 1889. An additional 4 acres were donated by Sidney Bright in the 1930s. An unknown number of Confederate veterans of the Civil War are buried here. #1083

FM 382 via FM 1770 from Winters, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03547

Nancy Parker Cabin. Home of "Grandma" (Mrs. John) Parker, local herb doctor. Here she brewed medicinal teas in a huge pot over an open fire; walked miles in Indian-infested country to visit the sick. Lived here over a decade. Sold cabin after eyesight failed, 1888. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970 #3547

FM 382, via FM 1770 E of Winters, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04061

Poe Chapel. Named in honor of William Wyatt Poe, who came to Texas from his native Alabama in late 1870. Married Jerusha Evaline Cline in 1885; had ten children. Moved family to Runnels County, 1904. Gave land for school and church buildings. Was school trustee. Three sons were later on school board. Family active in farming, civic and church affairs. Son, Howard, introduced 4-row tractor farming to area in 1930. Upon W. W. Poe's death, 1945, each child inherited a farm. Land is still farmed mainly by his grandsons. #4061

SH 153 & FM 384/2111 junction, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04137

Pumphrey. Founded about 1899. Named for Wm. M. Pumphrey (1849-1937), early settler. A deacon of the Baptist church, he would put his organ in a wagon on weekends and take it, his wife and 11 children to attend services in Wingate. In 1900, as the settlement grew, a one-room frame school was built and named New Hope, to embody the aspirations of the citizens. The community came to have a post office (1901-1912), several stores and 2 churches. It withstood tragedy in 1906 when 4 men were killed by lightning -- leaving more than 20 children orphans. #4137

FM 1677 via SH 153, about 10 mi NW of Winters, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04198

Ranger Peak. Named for Company E, Texas Rangers, which was stationed 1/2 mile east of peak in 1874. Atop peak, Rangers (Under Capt. W. J. "Jeff" Maltby) kept a lookout for Indians. Outfit was part of the frontier battalion, organized to protect Texas settlers on frontier stretching from Red River to the Nueces. Camp was abandoned in 1876. #4198

FM 382 via FM 1770, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04317

Rock Hotel. This two-story native stone commercial structure was built by Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Heath, who operated a local mercantile in partnership with Ira Beard. Constructed to accommodate early travelers and workers on the railroad, the Rock Hotel was completed in 1909, the year that the Abilene and Southern Railway line was extended to Winters. A landmark in the city, the hotel serves as a reminder of Winters' early growth and development. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1982 #4317

300 W. Dale St., Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04195

Ranger Campsite. One-half mile east of here, some twenty-five to thirty Texas rangers of Company E were stationed in 1874, under the command of Capt. W. J. "Jeff" Maltby. They kept sentries posted on nearby "Ranger Peak" to guard against Indians. Remains of a dry well they dug are still visible. #4195

FM 382 via FM 1770, about 15 mi. NE of Winters, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #15511

Winters FFA Chapter. #15511

?, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #01776

First Methodist Church of Winters. Site of the first church building at Winters and Old St. Methodist church site in Runnels County. The congregation was organized in 1891, under George D. Wilson, pastor. For eight years, they shared the local school building with other denominations. The first church building -- a frame structure -- was erected on this site in 1899 under the pastorate of John Wesley Bowden, pioneer circuit rider. In 1911 a large tabernacle, also frame, was built near the first church, which was moved to Hatchell in 1912. The tabernacle was unique in that its sides could be opened to receive cool breezes in the summer. It was used for services until the third church was erected, in 1913. Subsequently, it housed summer revivals and large community gatherings. It also substituted as a sanctuary at necessary times. The third church -- a steepled, red brick building -- served for 11 years, until the present brick church was erected, at a cost of $40,000. In 1925 parishioners literally placed $8,500.50 in cash on a barrelhead one Sunday to retire the church building debt and, incidentally, to act out the familiar saying. A church building has stood on this corner -- and worship has been held here -- each Sunday since 1899. #1776

Church & Parsonage St., Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04196

Ranger Campsite Water Well. In an effort to protect area settlements, Governor Richard Coke established the frontier battalion in 1874. Comprised of six companies of volunteer Rangers, it was headed by Major John B. Jones. This campsite was part of a defensive line which reached from the Red River to the coastal area. Rangers of Co. E, under the leadership of Captain W. J. Maltby, were stationed here in 1874. The camp consisted of tents, a corral for horses, and this hand-dug well, which failed to provide water. Daily scouting duties included a sentry post on nearby Ranger Peak (0.5 miles west). #4196

FM 382 via FM 1770, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #13307

St. John's Lutheran Church. Fritz Armrecht, accompanied by his friend August Spill, Sr., was reportedly the first Lutheran to arrive in this area. The men came from Comal County in the 1880s and bought property, bringing their families here in 1890. Armbrecht's land included the present site of the city of Winters; in 1892, he sold 100 acres for the city center and later donated two acres for use as a cemetery. As more Lutheran families arrived, the time was right to organize a church. The mission board of the Texas Synod of the Lutheran church sent missionaries to lead services held in homes and schools. Families dedicated a sanctuary in the downtown Winters area in October 1904 and formally organized on November 6 of that year as St. John's Lutheran Church. Members learned the railroad line would run adjacent to their property when it arrived in 1909, so they built a new sanctuary on the west side of town. Facilities have expanded over the years and include the present sanctuary, constructed in 1930. The congregation grew, and its members participated actively in Winters' development and social activities. Many parishioners operated local businesses, and others entertained the community with their musical talents. Although church members served in the U.S. armed forces, local anti-German sentiment during the first World War led to the congregation minimizing its services, which were held in German; relations slowly mended following the war. During the Second World War, congregation members maintained their visible and patriotic role in supprt of U.S. involvement overseas. St. John's members continue to serve their local and global communities. The church remains a spiritual home for many in the Winters area. (2005) #13307

1100 W Parsonage, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05872

Winters Lodge No. 743, A.F. & A.M.. Founded in upper room of schoolhouse ten years before Winters became a town. Chartered December 7, 1892. First officers: J. T. Brown, worshipful master; Ervin Brown, senior warden; W. S. Mullin, junior warden. After a 1910 fire, lodge moved to present hall. #5872

102 N Main, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05871

Winters FFA Chapter. In the fall of 1928, a Future Farmers club was organized with 30 members of the vocational agriculture class at Winters High School. The same year, a national Future Farmers of America (FFA) club was started in Kansas City, Mo. On April 10, 1930, the first Texas charter for the national organization was issued to the club in Winters. Over the years, the Winters FFA has produced award-winning vocational agriculture students on the state and national levels. Many of its members have become successful farmers and businessmen in Runnels County. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #5871

Heights & Popular St., Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04291

Robert Cooke, M.D.. Born in Emory, Texas, youngest son of William and Nancy Cooke. Attended Waco College (now Baylor University); medical school in Kentucky, received degree, 1886. Began practice, Kentuckytown. Moved to Winters area in 1889. Became town's first doctor; and deacon in first church and later pastor. Married 1886, Sallie Mitchell. Had five children. Beloved by all as physician and Baptist preacher. #4291

US 83, Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03713

Old Cotton Oil Mill. First local industrial plant. Processed cottonseed into cake, meal, hulls, oil. Gave city a good payroll, a work whistle marking times of day, and a good aroma. Built 1909-10 by Bird, Hall and Mertz, of San Angelo. Stone for millhouse was quarried at Posey farm, on Gap Creek (southeast of city). Owned by Herman Giesecke and Associates, of Ballinger (1911-27); then by Anderson, Clayton & Co., of Houston. Mill closed in 1939 after cotton farming declined. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962 #3713

711 North Melwood St., Winters, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05870

Winters Brass Band. Focus of social life during Winters' early years, the band played throughout the area for box suppers, old settlers reunions, and political campaigns. Charles Grant organized the group in 1901 (seven years after the town was incorporated) and conducted when it played for the coming of Winters' first railroad in 1909. Grant served as bandmaster for fifteen years. Sunday afternoon concerts were presented in the bandstand (then located in Tinkle Park), and members traveled in a bandwagon drawn by four white horses to play in small towns nearby. Favorite tunes were "The Anvil Chorus", "Stars and Stripes Forever," and "Poet and Peasant." New uniforms, blue with gold stripes, cost $14 in 1905. After 1920, the retired members helped the city school organize a band by lending some of their instruments to the students. About 200 brass bands once flourished in Texas, and music was a cultural activity in the state's first colony in the 1820s. Many towns had started to build bandstands by 1850, using them for political rallies, church socials, fund-raising drives, as well as concerts. Once the largest brass band west of Fort Worth, the Winters group and others like it contributed much to the cultural growth of Texas. #5870

Main and College St., Winters, TX, United States