Ozona in Crockett County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ozona's Water System

Photographed by Brian Anderson, November 25, 2017

1. Ozona's Water System Marker

Inscription. This site was selected for the Crockett County seat in 1891 because of a producing water well (200' northwest). Joe Moss, who drilled for water throughout the area, dug the well for E. M. Powell (1847-1925), railroad surveyor, financier, and land developer. Powell laid out the town, donated the water well, windmill, storage cistern, and land for public buildings. Immediately the Commissioners Court designated the well site as County property. Residents hauled water home by hand, on horseback, and by wagon. Later a wagon delivered barrels of water door-to-door.

As a result of Ozona's rapid growth by 1900, Judge Charles E. Davidson organized locally-owned "Ozona Improvement Company." The business drilled more wells and laid a pipeline in town. This hilltop, a familiar site of windmills and sprawling storage tanks, was called "Waterworks Hill." In a few years power equipment was added to provide electricity and ice. A municipal water district was formed in the late 1930s under the guidance of Joe North.

Ozona has not suffered from a decrease in its water supply during times of drought. Its water system utilizes the vast

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underground limestone formations in which moisture is stored.

Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3898.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Windmills series list.

Location. 30° 42.739′ N, 101° 11.831′ W. Marker is in Ozona, Texas, in Crockett County. It is on Water Works Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ozona TX 76943, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Crockett County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ozona's First Water Well (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Ozona Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Crockett County

Photographed by Brian Anderson, May 27, 2018

2. Ozona's Water System Marker

Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Ozona Junior High School (approx. ¼ mile away); Crockett County (approx. ¼ mile away); David Crockett (approx. ¼ mile away); William Mozart McVey (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ozona.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 19, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 2. submitted on May 27, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.