Christopher Columbus Doty
Eldorado, Schleicher County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(April 16, 1857 - October 26, 1944) First permanent citizen of Schleicher County. Came to Texas from Missouri, 1879. Soon bought headquarters at Ten-Mile Water Hole (1/2 mi. east). Drilled first water well in county 1882 and erected first windmill south of Concho River, thus established area's agricultural industry. The organization of the county in 1901 included his property and he was elected first tax assessor-collector. Later was justice of the peace, a rancher, active Methodist and a Mason. He married Alice Pancoast on June 3, 1887 and they had one daughter, Annie Marie. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Christopher Columbus Doty (1857–1944) came to Texas from Missouri in 1879 and soon claimed the headquarters at Ten-Mile Water Hole, becoming the first permanent citizen of what would become Schleicher County. In 1882 he drilled the county's first water well and raised the first windmill south of the Concho River — the kind of innovation that unlocked ranching and farming across the arid West Texas plains. When the county organized in 1901, his land was included and he was elected its first tax assessor-collector.
Why it matters
Doty's well and windmill exemplify the water technology that made permanent settlement possible on the dry rangelands of West Texas, turning open country into ranch and farm.
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Related people
- · Christopher Columbus Doty
- · Alice Pancoast
Themes & tags
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