Bandera Water Works Complex

Walter and Francis (Adamietz) Ruge created the Bandera Water Works to serve businesses and residences. Walter Trenklebach bought the franchise in 1936, extending the water main to the school and promoting modernization. In 1938, Bandera citizens voted 86 to 1 form a municipal water district, which bought Trenklebach's company and equipment. With federal Work Projects Administration (WPA) funding, capacity was greatly increased. The ew complex included a limestone pump station and operations building, 30-foot-diameter concrete reservoir with 50,000-gallon capacity, and 100-foot steel "tin man" water tower holding 60,000 gallons. Completed by March 1941, the improvements positioned the city for population growth and intensity. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark - 2021.