The Bandera County Historical Commission unveiled their new historical marker for the Bandera Water Works and the iconic “Tin Man” water tower following two years of extensive research and a detailed application process.
The waterworks building and the water tower were researched by a team of Bandera County Historical Commission members, Ray Carter, Jr.; Dr. Bill Pannebaker, DDS; Eddie Rowe; and Rebecca Norton.
Commission Chairperson Kimberly Miles welcomed the group attending the celebration. She then turned the podium over to Billy Walker, Marker Chairperson, to lead the pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag. Susan Junker and Dennis Birchall from American Legion Post 157 posted the colors.
Chairperson Miles gave a brief background of this Works Project Administration project. She noted that this historical marker was the brainchild of recent past Commission President Rebecca Norton.
Miles commended the research committee for their thoroughness and Bandera Mayor Rebecca Gibson, along with Interim City Manager Richard Morton for assistance placing the marker. She mentioned Toni Kunz’s help as the City Council Liaison and the EDC’s help with underwriting the cost of the marker.
County Judge Richard Evans started off with the comment, “Contrary to popular belief, I was not around when the water tower was built.”
He reminisced about the artesian well on the corner of Hwy 16 and Hwy 173 and spoke about the Seniors of 1965 making their mark on the tower. He also expressed his appreciation for the work of the commission and how this water works was just a step along the way to providing clean drinking water to the citizens of Bandera.
Tourism was the focus of EDC President Andrea Jankoski’s comments. She mentioned that the recognition of the water tower would be just one of the reasons that people would visit Bandera in search of local history with a quaint cowboy flavor.
She said that the historical marker of one of Bandera’s oldest structures, would “educate visitors and residents about Bandera’s rich heritage.”
Jankoski related, “It was a privilege on behalf of the Economic Development Corporation that we were able to play a role in this effort. The Tin Man and the County Courthouse have always been a favorite photo backdrop of mine.”
She said the iconic nature of those two structures has represented Bandera to many visitors.
“Bandera has a rich heritage and a story to tell,” she said.
Bandera Mayor Rebecca Gibson thanked the audience present for their attendance at the Tin Man Water Tower Celebration.
Gibson remarked that as she grew up in Texas that her family did a lot of road trip vacations, and stopping at historical markers was always a fun thing to do as a family.
“In Bandera we are very proud obviously of our Tin Man, but also of all of our historical markers,” she stated. “Almost every day you can see someone stopping to read and learn and enjoy them.”
“We are proud of the effort it represents to bring clean drinking water to this community. At the City of Bandera, we are striving to keep that going,” Gibson asserted. “We work very hard to provide infrastructure, provide clean water, and a safe place to visit.”
Gibson thanked Bandera County for their support, the Historical Commission, and the EDC for their collaboration to make this project come together.
Liaison to Bandera County Commissioners Jack Moseley mentioned the other historical markers.
“As liaison for the past seven years, I want to say that the Historical Commission works very hard on getting these markers and it’s a lot of research,” he said. “Besides this one here, they have two more new ones, one at the Pipe Creek Cemetery and one at the River Oaks Courts in Medina.”
He stated that this effort took a lot of research and a lot of time.
Kimberly Miles closed out the program with an invitation for the guests to have refreshments and view the marker.
The event was sponsored by Dr. Bill Pannebaker, Eddie Rowe, Bandera Signs and Advertising, and The Trail Boss Event Center.
