Homesite of W. F. Heller, Pioneer Farmer

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, as best as I can pass it along to you. Now, out here in Randall County, the land doesn't give itself up easy. It never has.

But there was a man who came anyway, dug in, and made something out of nothing, and the marker standing here wants you to know his name. W. F.

Heller. Native Texan. Civil War veteran, 1861 to 1865.

He'd seen enough of the world by the time that war was done, you'd think a man might rest. But in 1887, Heller came out to this stretch of West Texas and settled right here. And here is where it gets interesting, because he didn't just survive the land.

He was the first to farm the area successfully. First. In country that had turned away plenty of others, this man figured it out.

When Randall County organized in 1889, the people around here looked at W. F. Heller and said, that's our man.

They elected him the first county clerk. First to farm it, first to clerk it. Then in 1890, he helped organize the first Sunday School in the area, because a community needs more than crops and paperwork to hold together.

He married Susan Roberts in September of 1897. And somewhere along the way, this pioneer farmer also helped start West Texas State Normal College. One man, one homesite, and a county that still carries what he built.

What the marker says

Native Texan, Civil War veteran (1861-65); settled here in 1887. Was first to farm area successfully. Was elected first clerk when county organized 1889. Also, helped organize first Sunday School, 1890. Married Susan Roberts, September 1897. Helped start West Texas State Normal College. (1968)