Dam and Well

When the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad reached this area in 1885, company officials platted the town of Goldthwaite and built a reservoir to supply water for steam locomotives. A 25-foot-high dam near this site stored water from several springs, creating a pond that became a favorite swimming spot. The railroad dug a 50-foot-deep, spring-fed well at this site in 1906 to provide more water. In 1915, when these sources became inadequate, the dam was broken and reservoir drained. Today the springs form a stream which runs through Mills County Park, and the well is used by the city.

Dam and Well is a historical marker in Goldthwaite, Mills County, dedicated in 1976. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Mills County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 38 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.4455, -98.5682 near Goldthwaite. The nearest cataloged historic site is Mills County Courthouse (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Mills County Jailhouse, Goldthwaite Eagle, and Mills County Courthouse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5333001160. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.