60th Anniversary Celebration

Grand Opening 60th Anniversary of Eldorado Woolen Mill February 24, 2001 Event Location: 407 South main @ Eldorado Woolen Mill Events: Texas Fiber Style Show, silent auction, Key note speaker, "Raise the Roof" public auction, "Totally Texas Grown Meal" lunch, door prizes, fiber education booths, and sponsor booths. Merchandise prizes: $500 in door prizes was given away.

The first Grand Opening celebration was held on February 27, 1941, there were over 5000 people in attendance for the opening parade, guest speakers, and BBQ lunch served.

Then Governor of Texas, W. Lee O'Daniel, was the honored guest speaker, State Senator Penrose Metcalf assisted in the auctioning of the first six blankets made at the Woolen Mill Texan dignitaries in attendance included the Dean of Texas Tech's Textile Engineering Program, the first president of Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association; and Sol Mayer, the president of San Angelo National Bank.

Many other important Texans were in attendance on that celebrated day, including: Henry Mills of Del Rio, Schleicher County's first sheriff, F.C. Bates of San Angelo, Schleicher County's first clerk; and Mr. & Mrs. W. M. Whitfield of San Angelo, the creators of Eldorado's first water works system.

On July 27, 1995, The Texas Historical Commission designated the Eldorado Woolen Mill as a Registered Landmark for its merit as a part of the unique heritage of the State of Texas.

The Eldorado Woolen Mill enjoys the status of being the first woolen mill built in the State of Texas and is the only mill in the southwestern United States.

On November 15, 1996, the citizens of Eldorado, and others who cared about the Mill's unique historical value, purchased the Woolen Mill with money raised from an extensive year and-a-half of fundraising. The Old Eldorado Woolen Mill Foundation was created to protect, preserve, restore and promote our Texan treasure. The non-profit organization of the Old Eldorado Woolen Mill Foundation board members were chosen on their commitment to these ideals.

The Eldorado Woolen Mill receives many tourists per year. Tourists come from not only the State of Texas, but from other states and countries, as well. One thing that these tourists all have in common is that they agree that the Eldorado Woolen Mill offers a unique glance into another era of Texas agricultural history.

Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors: $2,500 - Mias Amigas, a gathering of friends and ex-graduates of Eldorado High School.

Platinum: $1,000 - Dolph & Janie Brisco

Corporate: $750

Gold: $500 - SKML Ranch, Nibletts Oilfield Service, First National Bank Eldorado & Donna McCormick

Bronze: $300 - Schleicher County Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo Bank, Southwest Texas Electric Cooperative & Lions Club Eldorado

Eldorado February 27, 1941 ...

5,000 AT ELDORADO OPENING OF WEST TEXAS WOOLEN MILLS

ELDORADO, Feb 27.-From all of West Texas they came, an estimated 5,000 men, women, and children to participate of Eldorado hospitality Thursday and to hear Gov. W. Lee O'Daniel formally dedicate the West Texas Woolen Mills, pioneer wool consuming plant in the heart of the wool producing country... FIRST BLANKET SELLS HIGH - C.B (Dutch) Wardlaw of Del Rio, president of the National Wool Growers' Association, receives from Gov. W. Lee O'Daniel the first Blanket produced at the West Texas Woolen Mills in Eldorado. O'Daniel auctioned the blanket, autographed by himself, and Wardlaw made the high bid of $300. In the background is Sen. H. L. Winfield of Fort Stockton, who acted as master of ceremonies.

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