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. (1995)
About this site
Thurber Big Lake and Dairy, Site of is a historical marker in Thurber, Erath County, dedicated in 1994. It is one of 71 historical markers documented in Erath County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 144 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 32.5098, -98.3973 near Thurber. The nearest cataloged historic site is Whitehead Cemetery (cemetery), about 1.0 miles away. Others within a short drive include New York Hill, Saint Barbara's Catholic Church, and Thurber Brick Plant, Site of.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5143004902. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
