Big Lake, Texas history, landmarks, attractions, photos and more. (original) (raw)
Water tower in Big Lake
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, October 2011
The county seat moved in 1925. The town was named after a lakebed that was already dry. It occasionally has some water.
The land around Big Lake was owned by the University of Texas in1923when Santa Rita No. 1 came in. The oil propelled the University of Texas into being one of the richest Universities in the country.
Buildings on US 67 west of Main Street.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, October 2011 photo
Historical Marker (on US 67 & Hwy 137) Text
City of Big Lake
The land on which the original townsite of Big Lake was located was owned in 1903 by T. H. Taylor who sold 320 acres to the Orient Land Company, which agreed to build a railroad station and lay out a town to be called Big Lake. The city took its name from a lake created by rain which gathers in a natural land depression about one and one half miles from here. Once filled by spring-fed water, it is now the largest dry lake in Texas. In pioneer days it was the only known fresh water between the Concho River and springs at Fort Stockton and was a campsite for Indians, Mexican traders and cattle drivers. Oldest house in Reagan County, the John Gardner house, is located near its banks.
The town was established in 1911. Its first economic activity was a stockpen built by the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railroad, a hotel, and a grocery store. It grew up around the line of the railroad, and by 1915 had about fifty families. Big Lake was incorporated on May 28, 1923, and in 1925 became the seat of Reagan County. Land additions were made in 1914 and 1925. Today the city is a center for the oil and gas industry.
1967
Big Lake Landmarks/Attractions
- Reagan County Courthouse
The 1927 Reagan County Courthouse was built of brick in the Texas Renaissance Style. The sidewalk leading to the main entrance is lighted by a row of lamps providing an beautiful night view of the building.
A 1911 Courthouse is still standing in the former town of Stiles, although it was gutted by fire in a case of arson, Christmas Eve, 1999. The shell remains. - The Hickman Museum:
609 Main St.
The museum can be toured by appointment -
call 915-884-2980 or 884-2082. - Santa Rita No. 1
About 13.5 miles west of town on Hwy 67 is the actual well site. Next to the well site is the "ghost town" of Texon (FM 1675 .3 mile south of 67). Texon was a former "company town" built for employees of the Big Lake Oil Company.
"The 1904 wooden jail from Stiles has been relocated to the city park in Big Lake on E. 12th Street near Montana Avenue."
- Terry Jeanson, October 2011 photo
Next to the old Stiles jail is this replica of Santa Rita No. 1.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, October 2011
"This tapestry of sites around Reagan County is hanging in the Chamber of Commerce building on Main Street."
- Terry Jeanson, October 2011 photo
Main Street buildings in Big Lake
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, October 2011
Big Lake Tourist Information
Chamber of Commerce on Highway 67 going through town.
915-884-2980
Website: www.biglaketx.com
Special thanks to Tammy Blakely, Manager of the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce, for providing update information for this page.
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