William E. Schott
Silverton, Briscoe County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Briscoe County pioneer William E. Schott (1870-1941) was born in Ohio and moved to North Texas in 1885. Still legally a minor, he came to this area in 1890 and filed a claim for the first of his later extensive landholdings. In 1891 he overcame the Caprock barrier by building the first wagon road to Silverton, where in 1892 he helped organize Briscoe County. A major factor in the settlement of this region, Schott Cap Road (1.5 mi. N) was improved when auto travel began. Schott supported local education and encouraged improvement of cattle herds. He married (1907) Tina Kitchen; they had four children. (1975)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
William E. Schott, born in Ohio in 1870, came to the Texas Panhandle in 1890 while still a minor and filed the first of what would become extensive landholdings. In 1891 he conquered the steep Caprock escarpment by building the first wagon road up to Silverton, and the next year he helped organize Briscoe County. A major force in settling the region, he backed local schools, worked to improve area cattle herds, and left his name on the Schott Cap Road.
Why it matters
Schott personifies the frontier pioneers who literally built the roads that opened the Texas Panhandle to permanent settlement.
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Related people
- · William E. Schott
- · Tina Kitchen
Themes & tags
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