Hunt Co., TX - Mrs. Lois Lewis Writes, Aug 1961 Courier ******************************************************* This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Sarah Swindell USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ******************************************************* 1936 Old Courier issues faithfully reported the progress of the bond elections, contracts, and work toward completion necessary for the Celeste City water system. On July 2, 1936, an item reported that "work on the Celeste water works had to stop for a day or two on account of a drill getting hung in the well and also the WPA time allowed by law had to be complied with." "Down 1,500 feet through hard rock, slow drilling, and no water yet," the item continued. By July 16, 1936, the drillers had completed the well to 1,810 feet and had struck water, soft and good to drink, but an analysis from the state was awaited for confirmation. In the issue of November 19, 1936, evidently the well had been completed for a report was written, "Jess Mark and workmen are busy moving well drilling machinery so that work can be resumed on the water works and sewage system." This report said that a Dallas firm "was to begin work on tank and tower main lines." The time was limited to eighty working days, ending on March 31, 1937. Work progressed rapidly according to a lead line in the December 17, 1936 Courier. The project was a $70,000 deal. A sewer pipe crew, a disposal plant crew, and the tower and tank crew moved along on schedule. The tower was described as a 100-foot tower supporting a 50,000-gallon water tank. The tank itself is 16 feet high. A filtering reservoir at the tower base was constructed. The disposal plant constructed on a 52 ˝ acre track of land southwest of town was purchased by the city. The last report described the well as a 1,900 feet well, with good water, pump and fixtures installed, and a hope by city planners that water would be in the mains for users long before the March 1937 deadline. That was a quarter century ago and Celeste residents enjoy the convenience with little thought about the hard work and planning of earlier residents in promoting a small town’s project such as this. A check with present city officials confirms the fact that those bonds voted twenty-five years ago were retired, paid in full, last year, 1960. About the same time the street bonds voted earlier were retired and the city was free of debt. This enabled the voters last year to vote for street improvements without additional taxation. The present rate took care of that needed project. The present city officials are to be commended for their work in providing for nice and smooth streets we enjoy. (August 18, 1961, The Celeste Courier)