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History in
a Pecan Shell
Founded by the
industrious Doss Brothers (Tom and John) in 1849, the community's
first enterprises were a gristmill and distillery. The brothers also
built a dam on Threadgill Creek and built a sawmill. In 1864 August
Steiness bought the brothers out and started a post office in his
house. Steiness died in 1866 and William F. Lange, came into possession
of the property. The dam was expanded but later washed out in a flood.
In 1875 a stone dam was constructed.
In 1898 a post office was opened in the store of F. W. Lange and the
town was briefly known as Lange's Mill. The name Doss was assumed
in 1907 when the post office moved two miles north.
Doss' population seems never to have reached 100. In 1925 it was 50
and seven years later it had only increased by 10. In 1964 it was
down to a mere 22, but rebounded to 75 by 1972 - the number that continues
to be used on the state map. |
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St. Peter Lutheran
Church
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Justin
Parson, January 2006 |
St. Peter Lutheran
Church historical marker
Photo courtesy Justin
Parson, January 2006 |
St. Peter Lutheran
Church
Organized by German
Lutherans in September 1896 under a brush arbor at nearby Lange's
Mill, this church has been part of Gillespie
County history for over 100 years. A frame church building erected
in 1898 was replaced by this Gothic revival structure in 1912-1913.
built by church members using native limestone, the building features
a central projecting bell tower and pressed metal steeple with cross
stone quoins, and arched Gothic windows.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1988 |
Doss, Texas
Chronicles:
Lange's
Mill by Michael Barr
The story of Lange's Mill, 2 miles north of Doss in Gillespie County,
began when brothers John and Thomas Doss...
Hoodwinked
by Hollywood by Michael Barr
The 1970 filming of Strawberries Need Rain in Gillespie County
including Doss.
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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