El Paso in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Rainmakers of 1891

Photographed By D. Kevin Surbaugh, May 6, 2022

1. The Rainmakers of 1891 Marker

Inscription.

Working on the theory that explosives could cause rainfall because many war battles had been followed by rain, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted experiments in rainmaking. During a West Texas drought in 1891 the agency brought the experiment to Midland, with some success. Desperate for rain, El Paso city leaders convinced the Department to come here and try the same procedure. On September 18, some 370 charges of dynamite and other explosives were fired from the heights of Mt. Franklin, but no rain resulted. Only a heavy dew was reported.
Incise on base: Sponsored by MBank El Paso

Erected 1986 by Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986. (Marker Number 5407.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1779.

Location. 31° 46.955′ N, 106° 28.785′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. Marker can be reached from Scenic Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: El Paso TX 79902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Franklin Mountains (here, next to this marker); The Rio Grande Irrigation Project (here, next to this marker); El Paso Lower Valley Missions/ Cordova Island/ The City and County of El Paso

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(here, next to this marker); The Rio Grande Rectification Project (a few steps from this marker); The Chamizal Settlement (a few steps from this marker); Mount Cristo Rey/ The Gadsden Purchase/ El Paso Smelting Works (a few steps from this marker); El Paso International Airport / The Butterfield Trail / Refinery Area (a few steps from this marker); Scenic Drive (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Regarding The Rainmakers of 1891. Drought has always been a problem in Texas. Beginning in the early 1890s, Texans began to experiment with "rainmaking" techniques. In 1891, General Robert St. George Dyrenforth used explosive balloons and artillery to try to make rainclouds develop in Midland. Congress and the Department of Agriculture paid for the experiments, which were inconclusive.

Also see . . . The Franklin Mountains. Franklin Mountains dominate the skyline of the city of El Paso. (Submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 1, 1996

2. The Rainmakers of 1891 Marker

1. Additional Rainmaker Sites
In 1892, the rainmakers tried their hand in El Paso, the King Ranch in South Texas, and Camp Farwell near San Antonio, with little result. The experiment had ended in failure.

— Submitted January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

3. The Rainmakers of 1891 Marker

Scenic drive and parking area are at top of stairs.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,451 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 1, 2022, by D. Kevin Surbaugh of El Paso, Texas. 2. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on November 12, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.