Near Mingus in Erath County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Thurber Big Lake and Dairy

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 8, 2016

1. Site of Thurber Big Lake and Dairy Marker

Inscription. In 1891, a 20-acre “little lake” was built south of the Thurber townsite to supply water to the community. It soon proved inadequate, however, and five years later a 150-acre “big lake” was constructed here about a mile southeast of town. Texas and Pacific Coal Company president R.D. Hunter organized a hunting and fishing club at the big lake for company executives and staff. Water from the lake irrigated company-owned farmland in the valley below, and provided water for the nearby Thurber Dairy. The dairy’s twin silos were still visible decades later.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4902.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 32° 30.476′ N, 98° 23.845′ W. Marker is near Mingus, Texas, in Erath County. It is on Interstate 20 Frontage Road one mile east of County Road 107, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mingus TX 76463, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Whitehead Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Site of Thurber Brick Plant (approx. one mile

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away); Site of Thurber's First Coal Mine (approx. one mile away); New York Hill (approx. 1.1 miles away); Evolution of an Oil Company (approx. 1.1 miles away); Thurber (approx. 1.1 miles away); St. Barbara's Catholic Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of Hotel Knox and Thurber Mining Office (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mingus.

Thurber Dairy Twin Silos image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 8, 2016

2. Thurber Dairy Twin Silos

View to southeast from I-20 Frontage Road

View to West Along I-20 Frontage Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 8, 2016

3. View to West Along I-20 Frontage Road

Marker is on left (south) side of highway
The Thurber smokestack is visible in the far right background

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.