Historical Marker
The Rainmakers of 1891
Historical marker location:
Scenic Dr., El Paso, Texas
( from westbound IH-10 exit #19A onto Mesa Drive, proceed north (right) about 1 mile, turn east (right) onto Rim Road, follow Rim Road until it merges into Scenic Road, continue east on Scenic Road to Mount Franklin Scenic area, El Paso)
Marker installed: 1986
Working on the theory that explosives could cause rainfall because many war battles had been followed by rain, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted experiments in rainmaking. During a West Texas drought in 1891 the agency brought the experiment to Midland, with some success. Desperate for rain, El Paso city leaders convinced the Department to come here and try the same procedure. On September 18, some 370 charges of dynamite and other explosives were fired from the heights of Mt. Franklin, but no rain resulted. Only a heavy dew was reported.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986.