FIRST -- President of Kimble County State Bank, Junction TX
N 30° 29.227 W 099° 45.910
14R E 426563 N 3373012
The man who dug the first canal in Junction (which turned into this city's first waterworks) also became the first President of the Kimble County State Bank
Waymark Code: WMTV48
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/08/2017
Views: 1
This historic marker is located inside the fence around the old water tower and current water system. The marker is located at the corner of Oak Street and S. 5th St. near downtown Junction.
The state historic marker reads as follows:
"JUNCTION'S FIRST WATERWORKS
(Point of origin 3/10 mi. SE)
Predecessor of present city waterworks. Supplied water to homes and furnished power to run grist mill, cotton gin, and sawmill. Business leader Ernest Holekamp had canal dug in 1895, beginning at South Llano River, 1/2 mile south of courthouse.
Average bottom width was 6 feet, with depth of water from 3 to 4 feet. The system, named Junction City Milling Company, changed hands 6 times. It was purchased by city in 1928.
Holekamp, who came to city in 1881, was first president of Kimble County State Bank and first mayor of Junction in 1927. (1970)"
According to Wikipedia: (
visit link)
"KIMBLE COUNTY, TEXAS
. . .
The population of Kimble County rose from 72 in 1870 to 1,343 in 1880. In 1878, a courthouse was erected in Junction City. The structure was destroyed, along with all of the county records, in an 1884 fire. The replacement, a two-story stone building, was partially destroyed by fire in 1888, but was repaired and remained in operation until the present courthouse was constructed in 1929. The census of 1890 recorded 2,243 people and 279 farms and ranches in the county. The raising of cattle and sheep would soon come to dominate the economy. In 1894, the county seat of Junction City became known simply as Junction.
Kimble County continued to grow during the early 20th century. The population in 1900 was 2,503. The 20th century brought many amenities to the county that were previously unavailable. Four Mile Dam was completed in 1904. The first telephone system came to Junction in 1905, and the first banks opened a year later. Electric lights came to Junction in 1917 and gas stations were introduced soon after.. . "
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