Texas Historical Marker #15350

Shamrock Water Tower. Soon after residents voted to incorporate in March 1911, Shamrock officials identified the need for a reliable waterworks for the city. Prior to that time, citizens got their water from one of two town wells or hauled it to town in barrels on wagons. A November 1912 election authorized the sale of bonds in the amount of $15,000 for a drinking water system that included a tower and reservoir on Railroad Avenue. In September 1915, city leaders accepted the bid of the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company of Chicago, Illinois to build the water tower. The all-steel structure was designed with a cylindrical tank with a hemispherical bottom, supported by four latticed channel columns held together with metal tie rods. The large tank has a capacity of 75,000 gallons, rising 176 feet above ground level. Workers utilized a steam thresing machine to raise the tower's standpipe. The tower was constructed of railway bridge grade steel riveted together using rivet grade steel. Engineers also had to account for the maximum pressure of panhandle winds upon the load of the structure plus the weight of the water. According to records of the CB&I Co., in business since 1889, this substantial tower is the tallest tank of its class ever built by the company, and it remains one of the tallest water tanks in Texas. Built to provide water to a growing community, the Shamrock water tower is also visible for about ten miles in any direction. Early 20th century travelers stopped here to water their horses or wagon teams in the concrete troughs under the tower, and travelers continue to mark their progress by the tower, an engineering and tourism icon. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-2008 #15350

?, Shamrock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03776

Old Pakan School. Named for Sam Pakan, Sr., (1875-1929), Slovak emigrant. Success in Chicago enabled him to buy land here, 1904. Ten other Slovak families joined him and pooled funds to build first school, 1907. Some old settlers remaining include Linkeys, Mertels, Pakans, Macinas, Hrnciars, Smith and Cadras. (1967) #3776

FM 453, about 4.5 mi. N of IH 40, Shamrock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04769

Site of Dozier Schoolhouse. In 1893, the men of the newly, settled Dozier Community built a one-room schoolhouse to serve the educational needs of the children of that town and the surrounding farming and ranching area. Seigniora Russell (Laune) served as the first school-teacher. The school building, also used for church and community activities, was moved within this vicinity three times before it was torn down and rebuilt in 1913. The rural school consolidated with Samnorwood in 1934, although an elementary school remained at Dozier until 1941. (1985) #4769

?, Shamrock, TX, United States

Shamrock's St. Patrick's Day Celebration Early area settler George Nickel and his wife, Dora (Haggard), raised their family in a dugout home in Wheeler County. For his Irish Heritage and for its symbolism of luck and courage, George suggested “Shamrock” for a post office approved for their home in 1890. The name was retained when the town of Shamrock was platted along the Rock Island Railroad built through the county in 1902. Shamrock bandmaster Glenn A. Truax envisioned the town capitalizing on its Irish name by producing a one-day celebration to draw thousands of visitors to the “Irish city.” With the help of the Shamrock Boosters Club, the first St. Patrick’s Day festival was celebrated in 1938, linking the local celebration with the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland. The first observance featured such free attractions as a parade, street dance, matinees at the Liberty and Texas theaters, a massed band concert of five hundred pieces from twelve cities, and historical and dramatic presentations, attracting about 12,000 people to a town of less than 4,000. The following year attendance topped 30,000, with parade spectators positioned along streets and the roofs of downtown buildings. The annual event continued until it was suspended during World War II and again during the Korean War. The Chamber of Commerce took over sponsorship in 1952. Shamrock’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration has welcomed many state and national figures in politics, sports, music and entertainment. It has evolved to a multiple-day affair, retaining many original activities and adding several others that have become annual tradition and an important part of the economy. In 2013, the Texas Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution 83, proclaiming Shamrock’s celebration the official St. Patrick’s Day celebration for the state of Texas. (2016) Marker is property of the State of Texas

2nd and Main Streets, Shamrock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #01674

First Baptist Church of Shamrock. Organized in 1904 by the Rev. E. A. Oller, this was the second church established in Shamrock. Charter members included Martha Anderson, A. N. Holmes, Mrs. Kaffir, Mrs. Betty McGreggor, and J. M. Woodley. First meeting place was the local schoolhouse. In 1906, the congregation called its first regular pastor, the Rev. J. W. Slaton, and bought property for building at 6th & Wall. The Sunday School was started and church structure completed in 1907. In 1922, membership reached 248. On March 13 of that year, the original church building was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. After using a theater and the Methodist building, the Baptists bought this Main Street site, put up a temporary tabernacle, and completed a new church in 1926. A parsonage was built on the lot at 6th & Wall. A third sanctuary was erected and dedicated in1973. Pastors succeeding the Rev. J. W. Slaton have been the Revs. J. Wood Arnspiger, James E. McClurkin, John R. Rice, C. A. Baxter, E. T. Smith, Vernie Pipes, E. C. Derr (two calls), Clifton Tennison, James O. Todd, J. Ed Byers, Meredith Wyatt, Jimmy Wilson, James Coffman, Murle Rogers, and Jim Scott. (1977) #1674

401 Main Street, Shamrock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #15573

Farmers and Merchants State Bank. #15573

?, Shamrock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02277

Greer County, Texas. Created 1860; until 1896, one of largest counties in Texas. Organized at Old Mobeetie, northwest of here. In 1880s settlement was rapid; by 1892 nearly 2,500 pupils were in county's schools. A post office, jail and many houses were built, and over 60,000 cattle grazed the 3,480 square miles of the county's area. But for a half-century (1846-1896) the United States and Texas waged a heated dispute over Greer County. Controversy had origin in an 1819 treaty fixing the line between United States and Spanish territory. A map designating the Red River and 100th meridian as boundary lines was part of treaty; but map aroused dispute, for it incorrectly marked 100th meridian and showed only one fork of two-forked Red River. Texas claimed the North Fork and meridian shown on map defined territory, and legislation and occupancy by Texans decided sovereignty. United States contended South Fork (larger of the two) and true 100th meridian marked boundaries. Three joint survey commissions failed to settle the issue. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1896 ruled that the region was in 1819 part of the Union and thus, was actually part of Oklahoma. Named for John A. Greer, Senator, Secretary of State, Republic of Texas; Lieutenant Governor, 1847-1853. (1967) #2277

IH 40, rest stop on OK border, Shamrock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04655

Shamrock Methodist Church. Visits of Methodist ministers to this area began in 1881. On June 17, 1901, circuit rider W. L. Harris, from Cataline Mission (40 miles north), organized this first local church in native walnut grove of Mrs. Mary Ruth Jones (3 miles north). Charter members (17) included families of Gid Bell, G. J. Duncan, M. V. Harvey, Mrs. Jones; also, John B. Harvey, Dan Lehman, Lillie Jones Trostle. On February 1, 1903, services were moved from homes of members to Shamrock schoolhouse. Other early church families: The A. J. Austins, T. E. Burkhalters, Frank Exums, S. W. Norwoods, W. B. Smiths, D. F. Spuills, E. L. Woodleys, and Mrs. A. N. Holmes. First church building was erected and missionary society founded 1906. Tornado destroyed the structure in 1907; a second was planned by the Rev. T. B. Hilburn, built under the Rev. W. Y. Switzer, 1908, with A. J. Austin as contractor. Third church was built in 1929 under the Rev. C. W. Foote; present sanctuary was completed in 1965 under the Rev. C. Melton. Other pastors: P. G. Huffman, W. M. Pope, J. P. Patterson, M. S. Leveridge, Cal C. Wright, Ed R. Wallace, W. E. Hamilton, R. N. Huckabee, C. E. Jameson, R. A. Stewart, Lance Webb, A. C. Haynes, M. B. Norwood, H. H. Bratcher, S. M. Dunnam, Frank Beauchamp, Jim Sharp, Lyman Paul Wood, Oscar Bruce and Tommie Beck. Church name was revised 1939 and 1968. (1972) #4655

110 E. 5th St., Shamrock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05513

Tower Building. The distinctive Tower Building was one of many commercial structures erected in the early 1930s along new U.S. Route 66. Designed by Pampa architect, J. C. Berry, the structure was built by local entrepreneur, J. M. Tindall in 1936. The Tower Building is an excellent example of a gas station/diner of the 1930s and exhibits many elements of the art deco style, curvilinear massing, and neon highlights. (Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1994) #5513

101 E. 12th St., Shamrock, TX, United States