Oh, yes, the mysterious Lake Plainview. Many have heard of it; some have not. Was it or was it not?
In the early 1900s, the Texas Land & Development Company was busy in this part of the Plains. Their program was set up to sell farms, so they set up demonstration farms to show. What got the attention of potential buyers, though, was Lake Plainview as they pulled into the train station.
Harry I. Miller, company president from 10912-1916, who was strong in showmanship, conceived the lake. His plan called for the installation of a typical irrigation well in front of the Sante Fe railway station to demonstrate to the prospective buyers of company land the tremendous amount of underground water available for irrigation in the Plainview area.
First, they had to purchase a small wet weather lake, about 30 acres in size, to dispose of the water brought to the surface by its demonstration pump.
The lake, located just north of the railway held over fourteen million gallons of water, and was full by July 1, 1913, after the engine had pumped over 158 hours. It became the largest body of water in Texas supplied by a well. It covered thirty acres and had a depth of 5-6 feet.
The company went all out to create this showplace.
I believe we should thank our early developers for this; those who came before us with their vision.
If you read one book about the history of our area, let it be, The Texas Land and Development Company, A Panhandle Promotion 1912-1956, by B. R. Brunson. It is rich!
The post today is taken from this book. Thank you to Mr. Brunson for his interest & recording of our rich heritage.
