United States / Shamrock, TX

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 #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

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