The Rainmakers of 1891

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

The Rainmakers of 1891 is a historical marker in El Paso, El Paso County, dedicated in 1986. It is one of 94 historical markers documented in El Paso County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 140 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.7826, -106.4797 near El Paso. The nearest cataloged historic site is Scenic Drive (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include First Presbyterian Church of El Paso, El Paso High School, and Turner Home.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5141005407. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.