Early Settlers of Andrews County

Organization brought a short-lived rush. By 1910 the county had 975 people, mostly farmers and ranchers, and improved farmland grew from 70 acres in 1900 to more than 6,000 by 1920, much of it in corn. Then the drought of 1917-18, the First World War, the influenza epidemic, blizzards and falling cattle prices cut the population to 350 in 1920. Much of the land proved unsuited to farming, and cattlemen bought out disappointed farmers to extend their ranges. Agriculture rebounded in the 1920s, when cotton became the county's largest crop.

What the plaque says

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)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Original Townsite of Andrews — steps away
• J. S. Means Ranch House — steps away
• Billionth Barrel — 0.5 mi
• Shafter's Trail — 0.6 mi