First Baptist Church of Eldorado

The Handbook of Texas says land rushes between 1901 and 1905, when public school land went on sale, made Eldorado a growing trade center for ranchers. Residents hoped for a railroad from San Angelo, but the company went into receivership in 1912. By 1914 Eldorado had three churches, a bank, a weekly newspaper and 500 people. Voters incorporated in 1925 but revoked it two years later, disliking higher taxes and a rule that livestock in town be penned; they incorporated again in 1929. A rail line through Eldorado finally opened in 1930.

What the plaque says

This congregation was organized by 15 charter members on Sept. 1, 1901, and originally called the Eldorado Missionary Baptist Church. The day following its organization seven people, baptized in the South Concho River by the Rev. Ben Wilson, were added to the congregation. The first church structure was built at this site in 1906 on property donated by W. B. Silliman. A new sanctuary, built in 1928 to replace the 1906 structure, was remodeled in the 1960s. This church helped organize local minority Baptist churches and supports community-wide outreach and foreign missionary activities. (1993)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Caverns of Sonora — 24 mi
  A show cave on a Sutton County ranch, opened in 1960 by cavers who wanted to stop the damage, and dense with helictites that grow sideways in every direction.

More markers nearby

• County Named for Texas Confederate Captain Gustav Schleicher — steps away
• First Methodist Church of Eldorado — steps away
• Site of Verand — 5.0 mi
• Site of Sonora Town Well — 20 mi