The land on which the original townsite of Big Lake was located was owned in 1903 by T. H. Taylor who sold 320 acres to the Orient Land Company, which agreed to build a railroad station and lay out a town to be called Big Lake.
The city took . . . — — Map (db m136338) HM
As congressman, 1876-1887, sponsored bill creating Interstate Commerce Commission; resigned 1891 from United States Senate to head newly-formed Railroad Commission, modeled after I.C.C., and created to regulate shipping rates and practices.
In . . . — — Map (db m118217) HM
County Named for Texas Confederate John H. Reagan 1818-1905Delegate Texas Secession Convention. While member 1st Confederate Congress, made postmaster general C.S.A. 1861. Difficult job begun by raid on U.S. Postal Dept. for southern personnel . . . — — Map (db m118028) HM
Explored the Concho River, 32 miles north of here, gathering information on Jumano Indians and searching for pearls, 1650.
Setting out from Santa Fe, Capts. Hernan Martin and Diego del Castillo traveled about 600 miles to the Jumano territory, . . . — — Map (db m118213) HM
Formed from Tom Green County; created March 7, 1903, organized April 20, 1903. Named in honor of John H. Reagan 1818-1905. Indian fighter and surveyor member of Texas Legislature and United States Congress postmaster general of the southern . . . — — Map (db m63594) HM
Site of the
first court house built in
Reagan County
The following officials were installed
May 8, 1903
Joseph J. Boyd, Judge
J. B. Lucas, Clerk
Henry Japson, Sheriff and Tax Col.
Frank Ramsey, Treasurer
W. C. Shamlin, Surveyor . . . — — Map (db m136341) HM
Established about 1903. Site is on land then owned by early settlers G. W. and Lizzie Stiles.
Plot summarizes much frontier history, as it holds graves of cowboys who died in accidents on cattle range; one Spanish-American War veteran; . . . — — Map (db m136340) HM
Discovery well for Big Lake Oil Field. First gusher in Permian Basin, first University of Texas producer on land once thought almost worthless. Fruit of the faith of Big Lake lawyer Rupert Ricker. Though in 1919 no oil had been found within 100 . . . — — Map (db m118024) HM
Many travelers along many historic trails in this area found the region arid and inhospitable. Given (1876) to the University of Texas, the lands around this marker were leased to cattlemen. The Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railroad built its line . . . — — Map (db m118026) HM
