Early Settlers of Andrews County

One of last frontiers of Texas. Anglo settlement here lagged 60 years behind rest of state due to Indians and scarcity of water. In 1886 O. B. Holt became first man to file for county land. First settlers included the Cowden brothers and Peter Von Holebeke. In 1900 county had 87 people; it was finally organized in 1910. With windmill pumps and drift fences, ranching became feasible, although soil was so dry that a grazing cow crashed through a dugout roof into a bed one day. In 1930 the discovery of oil brought wealth and rewarded the tenacity of first pioneers. (1970)

Early Settlers of Andrews County is a historical marker in Andrews, Andrews County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 13 historical markers documented in Andrews County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 15 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.3171, -102.5547 near Andrews. The nearest cataloged historic site is Original Townsite of Andrews (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Dorsie M. Pinnell, Andrews County Courthouse (1939), and Billionth Barrel.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5003001350. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.