Shamrock in Wheeler County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Construction Planning

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2025

1. Construction Planning Marker

Inscription. In 1915, city leaders contracted with Chicago Bridge and Iron Works to fabricate and erect the Shamrock water tower at a cost of $6560 (see excerpts of minutes below). Specifications sent to the state (left) and CB&I architectural drawings (right) show detailed plans.

Chicago Bridge and Iron officials estimate the cost of building a similar structure in 2008 would be $500,000.

Caption (top left) Seven pages of specifications were sent to the state for approval. The first of these pages is shown above.

This panel is made possible through the generosity of the Shamrock Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 35° 12.86′ N, 100° 14.962′ W. Marker is in Shamrock, Texas, in Wheeler County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 83) and Railroad Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Tower Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 N Main St, Shamrock TX 79079, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

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: Chicago Bridge and Iron: A Tower Takes Shape (here, next to this marker); Early Years: Shamrock in 1912 (here, next to this marker); The Raising of Shamrock's Tower

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(here, next to this marker); Enoch Carlson: A Company Legend / “The Bridge” (here, next to this marker); Water Tower Innovations (here, next to this marker); A Tower's Influence (here, next to this marker); A Community Icon (here, next to this marker); Shamrock Water Tower (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shamrock.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2025

2. Construction Planning Marker

This marker is second from left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.