Winters in Runnels County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Winters

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 10, 2015

1. Winters Marker

Inscription. From its beginning as a west central Texas frontier community Winters grew from a retail support center for the surrounding agricultural community to a small-town railroad link to an oil, gas and manufacturing center. Settlement of the area of Winters began in the 1880s when two families, the Currys and the Bells, staked claim to the land one mile southeast of the present-day town. In 1889, a small schoolhouse was built on land that was given by land agent J.N. Winters. The community met in the completed schoolhouse to vote on the town name and Winters won. Winters already had significant cattle and feed production, and cotton added to their growing economy. By the first decade of the 20th century, Winters was typical of small settlement communities on the west central Texas prairie. In 1907, residents lobbied to construct a railroad between Abilene and Ballinger. By 1909, the railway reached Winters. This railway, along with the rise of blacktop roads and the automobile, ushered in an era of prosperity and expansion for Winters.
In 1949, Winters benefited in particular from the findings of the Cree-Sykes Oil Field and Fort Chadbourne Oil Field. Oil and gas extraction continues to contribute to the local economy. Another Winters industry was the C.I. Green Milling and Grain Co. Established in 1918, the business handled all types of feeds for customers. Unlike other railroad towns, the city of Winters was never laid out on a planned grid, but instead grew in response to the importance of agriculture, petroleum exploration, manufacturing and transportation. After 125 years, the community is still progressing and is economically viable.

Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17911.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce •

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Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 31° 57.497′ N, 99° 57.76′ W. Marker is in Winters, Texas, in Runnels County. It is on N. Main Street (U.S. 83) north of E. Dale Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winters TX 79567, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

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 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: Blue Gap Post Office (a few steps from this marker); Winters Public Library (a few steps from this marker); Winters Lodge No. 743, A.F. & A.M. (within shouting distance of this marker); Winters State Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Winters FFA Chapter (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Cotton Oil Mill

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 10, 2015

2. Winters Marker

(approx. half a mile away); Winters Brass Band (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winters.

Also see . . . Winters, TX. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on April 17, 2015.)

Marker Near the Reconstructed Blue Gap Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 10, 2015

3. Marker Near the Reconstructed Blue Gap Post Office

View to North Along Main Street (US 83) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 10, 2015

4. View to North Along Main Street (US 83)

View to South Along Main Street (US 83) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 10, 2015

5. View to South Along Main Street (US 83)

Marker and Reconstructed Blue Gap Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 10, 2015

6. Marker and Reconstructed Blue Gap Post Office

View to east across Main Street (US 83)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,055 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 6. submitted on April 15, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.