Doss, Texas
Doss is an unincorporated farming and ranching community at the crossroads juncture of FM 783 and FM 648 in northwestern Gillespie County, Texas, United States. It is 19 miles NW of Fredericksburg and 14 miles NW of Harper. Postal zip code is 78618. Elevation is 1729 feet.
- The U.S. Census for year 2000 shows a total population of 225 [3]
- 1914 Lange's Mill community population was 150[4]
History
On December 15, 1847, a petition was submitted to create Gillespie County. In 1848, the legislature formed Gillespie County from Bexar and Travis counties.
While the signers were overwhelmingly German immigrants, names also on the petition were Castillo, Pena, Munos, and a handful of non-German Anglo names.
Ground Zero
The Handbook of Texas provides the area's basic history:[5]
Doss, Tx was founded in 1849 by brothers John E. and Thomas C. Doss, who built a gristmill and distillery on Threadgill Creek in 1856 and later added a dam and sawmill. They sold the dam in 1864 to August Steiness, who tore down the distillery and expanded the gristmill's capabilities. A room he added onto the house served for many years as a mail delivery station for the community. After Steinesz's death in 1866, his widow sold the mill to William F. Lange, a German immigrant, who built a larger dam. This dam, which was destroyed by a flood, was rebuilt between 1872 and 1875 by stonemason Philip Buchmeyer , and the mill came to be known as Lange's Mill.[6][7] The Doss school was founded in 1884. A post office called Lange was opened in F. W. Lange's store in 1898, but in 1907 the name was changed to Doss, and the office was moved to what is now the Doss townsite, two miles south of the mill.
The Doss Family
Thomas C Doss
Sept 8, 1852 Thomas C. Doss was Postmaster of "Fredericksburgh"[8]
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The 1860 Gillespie Co Census-Cherry Spring [9]:
- 38-year-old Thomas Doss born in Virginia, occupation miller
- 28 year-old Mary born in Arkansas
- 60 year-old William born in Virginia, occupation millwright
- 22 year-old Eckel born in Illinois, occupation miller
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LDS Family Research database:[10]
- Thomas C. Doss born 26 March 1822, Fluvanna, Virginia, died 8 June 1873
- Parker S. Doss, father of Thomas C. Doss
- Angelica Epps Cheatham, mother of Thomas C. Doss
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Thomas C. Doss final resting place: Der Stadt Friedhof[11] (English translation: The City Cemetery) in Fredericksburg.
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John E Doss
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The 1860 Gillespie Co Census-South Grape Creek (Luckenbach):[12]
- 46-year-old John Doss born in Virginia, occupation farmer
- 17-year-old William born in Texas
- 12 year-old Sam born in Texas
- 11 year-old Nanny born in Texas
- 8-year-old Richard born in Texas
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LDS Family Research database:[13]
- John E. Doss born 16 February 1812, Fluvanna, Virginia, died "about 1863"
- Parker S. Doss, father of Thomas C. Doss
- Angelica Epps Cheatham, mother of Thomas C. Doss
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The Lange Family
Lange's Mill Cemetery
- F.W. Lange (b 1817 d 1877) is most likely William F. Lange and has two tombstones - an older one in German, and a more modern one that is a joint grave with his wife. There is no William F. Lange in the cemetery
- J. F. Lange (b. 1818 d 1910), nee Johanna Freidericke Steines, wife of F.W. She is possibly related to, August Steinesz
- Julius F. Lange (b 1850 d 1926), possibly F.W. Lange's son
- Lena nee-Kensing Lange (b 1859 b 1947) wife of Julius
- Adolph Lange (b 1884 d 1884)
- August Steinesz (b 1815 d 1865), also listed as Steiness and Steiner, died only two months after he wed Mary Jackson. No one named Mary is buried in this cemetery
- August Lange (b 1849 d 1921) buried next to wife
- Lina nee-Menges Lange (b 1853 d 1928) wife of August Lange
- Balentin Lange (b 1853 d?) no other info - tombstone is in German and badly eroded
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Lange's Mill Historical Marker
The State of Texas placed a 1936 historical marker[14] at Lange's Mill. Contrasting information from the Handbook of Texas, the marker offers this timeline on operation of the mill:
- 1849 established by Doss brothers
- 1859-1878 run by William F. Lange
- 1878-1888 run by Julis Lange
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There was a Lange post office in 1898 with Julius Lange as postmaster. The community received its mail delivery from Cherry Spring until 1917, at which time Doss began to service this community.
Stonemason Philip Buchmeyer
Buchmeyer [15] was the second husband of the widowed Auguste Lehmann and stepfather to her sons Herman and Willie. Both children were kidnapped by Apaches. Willie was released after days, but Herman Lehmann didn't return for 9 years and became the area's most famous Apache captive and later adopted son of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker
Doss Post Masters
Partial list of Doss postmasters:[8]
- 21 Jan 1907 Tolbert Garrett
- 26 Apr 1916 Miles A. Nixon
- 10 Nov 1919 Ernest Schmidt
- 5 Jan 1925 Willie Baethge
- 27 May 1930 Reuben Nixon
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Climate
Doss experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 81 °F (27.2 C) in the summer to 45 °F (7.2 C) during winter.
| Climate data for Doss, Texas |
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
| Record high °F (°C) |
88
(31) |
100
(38) |
98
(37) |
100
(38) |
105
(41) |
108
(42) |
107
(42) |
109
(43) |
108
(42) |
100
(38) |
92
(33) |
98
(37) |
109
(43) |
| Average high °F (°C) |
60
(16) |
65
(18) |
73
(23) |
80
(27) |
85
(29) |
91
(33) |
95
(35) |
94
(34) |
89
(32) |
80
(27) |
70
(21) |
61
(16) |
79
(25.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) |
45
(7) |
50
(10) |
57
(14) |
65
(18) |
72
(22) |
79
(26) |
82
(28) |
81
(27) |
76
(24) |
66
(19) |
56
(13) |
47
(8) |
64.7
(18.1) |
| Average low °F (°C) |
31
(−1) |
35
(2) |
42
(6) |
50
(10) |
59
(15) |
67
(19) |
69
(21) |
68
(20) |
63
(17) |
52
(11) |
42
(6) |
33
(1) |
50.9
(10.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) |
6
(−14) |
3
(−16) |
11
(−12) |
25
(−4) |
36
(2) |
46
(8) |
54
(12) |
51
(11) |
36
(2) |
26
(−3) |
14
(−10) |
3
(−16) |
3
(−16) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) |
.91
(23.1) |
1.97
(50) |
1.74
(44.2) |
2.05
(52.1) |
3.31
(84.1) |
4
(102) |
2
(51) |
2.52
(64) |
3
(76) |
3.01
(76.5) |
2.07
(52.6) |
1.37
(34.8) |
27.95
(709.9) |
| Source: The Weather Channel [16] |
Demographics
As of the census of 2000[3] of 2000, there were 225 people
- 98.7% White
- 0.9% Asian
- 0.4% from two or more races
- 46.7% male
- 53.3% female
- 83.1% 18 years or older
- 27.6% 65 years or older
- 62.3% in the labor force
- $35,625 median household income
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- $42,917 median family income
- $17,078 per capita income
- 87.2% high school graduate
- 27.8% bachelor's degree or higher
- 13% inactive military veterans
- 17% disabled
- 27.2% language other than English at home
- 3.7% families below poverty level
- 4.7% individuals below poverty level
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Flora and fauna
Prickly pear cactus, pecan trees, a variety of oak and mesquite trees, and abundant wildflower varieties blanket the Doss area of Gillespie County.
Doss has farm livestock and the armadillo and Texas horned lizard. The nature lover will also find [17] whitetail deer and birds including spotted towhee, painted bunting, white-crowned sparrow, summer tanager, hummingbird, chickadee, kinglet, goldfinch, warbler, finch and lark sparrow.
Churches
- St. Peter Lutheran Church[18] founded 1896 under leadership of Rev. Hugo G.A. Krienke. 1989 dedicated historical marker by Texas Historical Commission.
- Squaw Creek Primitive Baptist Church[19] constituted 1901 in the Squaw Creek School and Community Building, Elder S. N. Redford, first pastor. 2002 dedicated historical marker by Texas Historical Commission.
Doss Consolidated Common School District
Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1985.[20] from State of Texas states the school was begun in 1884 on Doss-Spring Creek Road. 1894 land for current site was donated by Tom Nixon, and a small frame structure was built. In 1905, a limestone schoolhouse was built, and in 1927 the present building was added.
Doss Elementary School[21] is across the street from St. Peter Luthern Church. The K-8 grades have 25 students, 48% male and 52% female, and two teachers.
- District total revenue is $297,000
- District expenditure $293,000
- Doss Public School annual play:
[22]
Every year the Doss Public school holds a play performed by the school children. The little room, grades Kindergarten through 4th grade, and the big room, 5th grade through 8th grade, hold plays. The presentation is accompanied by a bake sale and raffle held by the local residents and by the Doss 4H members.
Doss Volunteer Fire Department
[23]
- Fire Chief Kurt Geistweidt
- Fire Marshall Steve Olfers
- Training Officer Jerry Walsh
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Doss VFD Fish Fry annual fundraiser is held Labor Day Weekend.
Almost 3,000 pounds[24] of catfish are fried and served up with homemade potato salad and coleslaw, plus all the trimmings. This benefits the Doss VFD. Entertainment is provided.
Dining, entertainment, accommodations
- Doss General Store and Post Office were formerly run under one roof by Fred Itz (1914–2003) and Ruby Oehler Itz (1917–1990).
- Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine
[25] has this to say:
Sadly, the Doss store has closed, but the new Doss Country Store, opened in 2001, has become a gathering place for hunters in the area. It has a rock front, and there is a metal roof over the wide, spacious front porch, which is populated with dogs as often as people. Patrons sit on split cedar benches on the porch and watch cattle graze in a field across the town’s main street. Inside, the counter and tables are covered with glass plate, under which old newspaper clippings chronicle local events spanning almost a hundred years.
- Hill Top Cafe[26] fashioned out of an old gas station, and boasting of Texas comfort foods, as well as Cajun and Greek cuisine, this little spot on Highway 87 between Fredericksburg and Doss also offers bed and breakfast accommodations and the "Old Garage" meeting room. Proprietor Johnny Nicholas is a blues musician who opened the establishment shortly after marrying Brenda. Live music features "Songwriters in the Round".
- Quiet Hill Ranch[27] bed and breakfast is a combination spa and dude ranch, with a bird watching observatory catering to wildlife enthusiasts.
Battle of Iwo Jima re-enactment
Welge Ranch in Doss was the site of a re-enactment of Battle of Iwo Jima, sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War for the 60th anniversary of the iconic battle. The event was held on February 19, 2005, ending with a the famous raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi — which was re-enacted on top of Welge Point in Doss.[28]
See also
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "Zip Code 78618 Tabulation". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=78618&_cityTown=78618&_state=&_zip=78618&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Lange's Mill". Qualls, Wanda, Gillespie Co TxGenWeb. http://www.txgenweb2.org/txgillespie/LangesMill/LangesMill.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ Kohout, Martin Donell: Doss, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Texas State Historical Association
- ^ "Lange's Mill". Durden-Nelson, Mae. http://www.maedurdennelson.com/html/about_mae.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Mae Durden-Nelson
- ^ Ramos, Mary G. "The German Settlers in Central Texas". Texas Almanac. http://www.texasalmanac.com/history/highlights/german/. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ a b "Doss Postmasters". Jim Wheat. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txpost/gillespie.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Jim Wheat
- ^ "Gillespie County Census-Cherry Springs 1860". http://www.txgenweb2.org/txgillespie/1860-8.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Doss, Thomas C". LDS Family Research. http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=/eng/search/ancestorsearchresults.asp. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Doss, Thomas C, Gravestone". Fredericksburg Geneaological Society. http://www.fbgtxgensoc.org/photos/sta5/pages/Doss,Thomas_C.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Fredericksburg Geneaological Society
- ^ "Gillespie County Census-South Grape Creek 1860". http://www.txgenweb2.org/txgillespie/1860-9.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Doss, John E". LDS Family Research. http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=/eng/search/ancestorsearchresults.asp. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Lange's Mill". Texas Historical Markers. http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5171010068. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Philip Buchmeyer". http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~burzynsk/LoyalValley.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Monthly Averages for Doss, Texas". The Weather Channel. http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/wxclimatology/monthly/78618.
- ^ "Flora and Fauna". http://www.quiethillranch.com/birding.htm. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "St. Peter Luthern Church". http://www.st-peter-lutheran-church.com/stpeter.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Squaw Creek Baptist Church". http://www.banneroflove.net/churches/Squaw_Creek_PBC.htm. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Doss School". Texas Historical Markers. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5171010030. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Doss Elementary School". Public School Review. http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/77598. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Public School Review LLC
- ^ "Doss, Texas". Century 21 Realtors. http://www.century21sunsetrealtors.com/Doss.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Century 21 Real Estate LLC
- ^ "Doss VFD". http://www.tcfp.state.tx.us/directory/fd_list_correct.asp?department=DOSS%20VFD. Retrieved 30 April 2010. State of Texas
- ^ "Doss Fish Fry". EventLister. http://www.eventlister.com/E1242543. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Doss Store". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2006/oct/ed_4/. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- ^ "Hill Top Cafe". Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/Hill-Top-Cafe. Retrieved 30 April 2010. Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce
- ^ "Quiet Hill Ranch". http://www.quiethillranch.com/index.htm. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ Mason, H.M., Jr. (February 21, 2006). "Museum Of The Pacific War ("Iwo: D+60")". Leatherneck. http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,88504,00.html. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
External links