Only a short drive from Fredericksburg and the comforts of Comfort, Texas, Doss is a tiny gem snuggled in Gillespsie country. While there is plenty of room to kick back and relax in this Hill Country hideaway, here are a few more interesting facts about Doss, Texas.
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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Doss, Texas
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1. The Public School Doubles as a Historic Landmark
Photo: Flickr/jdog90
Many students and teachers across the state may be tired of the same old school buildings year in and year out. After a couple of years of bond proposals and votes, many update and build more modern facilities. Doss Consolidated Common School District does not, and for good reason.
Doss Consolidated Common school district is not only one of the smallest rural schools in the country that has not been incorporated, it is also a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. For the 2016-2017 school year, Doss only had four students, the smallest student body in the state. The community has remained resolute in keeping the school open.
2. Re-enacting the Battle of Iwo-Jima
Receiving a sponsorship from the National Museum of the Pacific War, Welge Ranch hosted a re-enactment of The Battle of Iwo-Jima. Welge Point on the ranch was deemed a perfect location to end the re-enactment with a ceremonial raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi. We all remember that iconic image.
The re-enactment was staged in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the battle. The National Museum of the Pacific is located in nearby Fredericksburg. Spectators of the event reported surprise at how vicious the events before the battle really were.
3. Abundant Ranches for Milk and Meat
Photo: Flickr/Timothy J
Doss is rich in land. There are a wealth of beautiful ranches in the area, while many are for livestock, many are also used for guided hunts and for hunting leases. If hunting isn’t quite your thing, there are also a variety of dude ranches for you to enjoy at your leisure. If you want to hunt turkey, exotics, or monster whitetail deer, Doss is the place to be.
Welge Ranch, as mentioned above, was used as a location for a re-enactment of The Battle of Iwo-Jima. If hunting isn’t quite your thing, there are also a variety of dude ranches for you to enjoy at your leisure.
4. Two Historic Churches
Despite the small population of only 225 people, Doss boasts more big history. Two of is churches have received dedicated historical markers by the Texas Historical Commission.
St. Peter Lutheran Church was built in 1905 and is still standing. It is located across the street from the historic Doss Consolidated Common School District. The Squaw Creek Primitive Baptist Church in town has also received a historical dedication.
5. Quanah Parker Adopted Two Sons of Doss
Photo: Flickr/Lindell Dillon
In the early days, Doss was still subject to many raids by the Apaches, who considered the settlement part of their land. In one raid, Willie and Herman Lehmann were kidnapped. Willie escaped and returned a few days later, while Herman remained in captivity and was initiated as part of the tribe.
Eventually, the leader of Herman’s clan was killed and he was adopted by Quanah parker. After a few more years of roaming with Parker, Herman was captured and returned to his family in Doss.
