| Marker Number |
3112 |
| Atlas Number |
5385003112 |
| Marker Title |
Lombardy Irrigation Ditch |
| Index Entry |
Lombardy Irrigation Ditch |
| Address |
FM 1120 |
| City |
Rio Frio |
| County |
Real |
| UTM Zone |
14 |
| UTM Easting |
428594 |
| UTM Northing |
3278480 |
| Subject Codes |
agriculture, general; water topics |
| Marker Year |
1968 |
| Recorded Texas Historic Landmark |
No |
| Marker Location |
FM 1120, S side 100 feet W of RR 2748 |
| Private Property |
|
| Marker Condition |
|
| Marker Size |
18" x 28" |
| Marker Text |
Dug in 1868, in pick-and-shovel operation, by Lombardy Irrigation Company, whose officers were N. M. C. Patterson, W. F. Smith, and T. Watkins. Besides channeling water to irrigate over 800 acres, the 2-mile ditch furnished power for a cotton gin and shingle, grist, and flour mills. The settlement which grew up in the area was known as "The Ditch" until a post office was established in 1875. It was then named "Rio Frio" ("Cold River"). For a century the ditch has irrigated lands of families of two original company officers. (1968) |
