Mineola in Wood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Utilities in Mineola
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019
1. Utilities in Mineola Marker
Inscription.
Utilities in Mineola. . Desiring better living conditions, new residents began to look for water, electric and gas providers. The first water service, owned by A.W. Front, delivered water daily to customers in a one-horse wagon in addition to providing a bathhouse for the community. In 1886, an artesian well was constructed in the center of town to provide water for the downtown area. An ice factory also opened that year. In October 1903, R.M. Stafford and Dr. A.L. Patten began to furnish water for Mineola until 1915 when the Mineola Ice and Water Company was established.
Telephone service in Mineola began in 1896 and was owned by Mr. Garrett. The service operated during the day by the Garrett family and at night by E.A. Reeves. The service, named "The Globe," was a one-phone operation with runners who delivered the messages. In 1897, the Mineola Telephone Company was established by H.P. Davis who operated the service until 1902 when it was purchased by Southwestern Bell.
The city has enjoyed the advantages of natural gas since 1927. United Gas Company began in Mineola in 1930 by Latex Gas Company who later consolidated with United Gas Corporation. To build the infrastructure, a camp was set up west of Mineola for workers who laid a large gas line east to west by the Magnolia Pipeline Company. Several weeks later, lines were laid to customers' homes.
The first electric plant, established in 1897 by the Tilley Brothers Electric Company, shared facilities with the R.J. Smith Chair Factory and was contracted to install arc lights on the streets of Mineola. As the foundation of a city, infrastructure and utility services assisted in the development of Mineola. ,
Marker is Property of the State of Texas
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Desiring better living conditions, new residents began to look for water, electric and gas providers. The first water service, owned by A.W. Front, delivered water daily to customers in a one-horse wagon in addition to providing a bathhouse for the community. In 1886, an artesian well was constructed in the center of town to provide water for the downtown area. An ice factory also opened that year. In October 1903, R.M. Stafford and Dr. A.L. Patten began to furnish water for Mineola until 1915 when the Mineola Ice & Water Company was established.
Telephone service in Mineola began in 1896 and was owned by Mr. Garrett. The service operated during the day by the Garrett family and at night by E.A. Reeves. The service, named "The Globe," was a one-phone operation with runners who delivered the messages. In 1897, the Mineola Telephone Company was established by H.P. Davis who operated the service until 1902 when it was purchased by Southwestern Bell.
The city has enjoyed the advantages of natural gas since 1927. United Gas Company began in Mineola in 1930 by Latex Gas Company who later consolidated with United Gas Corporation. To build the infrastructure, a camp was set up west of Mineola for workers who laid a large gas line east to west by the Magnolia Pipeline Company. Several weeks later, lines were laid to customers' homes.
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The first electric plant, established in 1897 by the Tilley Brothers Electric Company, shared facilities with the R.J. Smith Chair Factory and was contracted to install arc lights on the streets of Mineola. As the foundation of a city, infrastructure and utility services assisted in the development of Mineola.
Marker is Property of the State of Texas
Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18494.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1903.
Location. 32° 41.155′ N, 95° 29.014′ W. Marker is in Mineola, Texas, in Wood County. Marker is at the intersection of North Pacific Street (Texas Route 37) and Shady Lane, on the right when traveling north on North Pacific Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1824 North Pacific Street, Mineola TX 75773, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. View from marker towards Public Works buildings.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
