Doss, Gillespie County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doss, Texas
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 Doss, Gillespie County, Texas
Location in Texas
Doss, Gillespie County, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Gillespie |
| Elevation | 1,729 ft (527 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 225 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78618
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| Area code(s) | 830 |
| FIPS code | 48-20968 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1379674 |
Doss is a small farming and ranching community in Gillespie County, Texas, United States. It's not officially a city or town, but a community where people live and work. You can find it about 19 miles northwest of Fredericksburg. The community's zip code is 78618, and it sits at an elevation of about 1,729 feet above sea level. In the year 2000, about 225 people lived in Doss.
Contents
History of Doss, Texas
The story of Doss began in 1849 when the Doss brothers started a mill on Threadgill Creek. This mill was a busy place where grain was ground. Later, in 1859, William F. Lange took over the mill. His family continued to run it for many years.
The community grew around this mill. At first, the area was known as Lange's Mill. It even had its own post office starting in 1898. But by 1907, the community was officially renamed Doss, and it got its own post office under that new name.
Early Families of Doss
The Doss brothers, Thomas C. Doss and John E. Doss, were important in starting the community. They were millers and farmers who helped the area grow.
Another interesting person connected to Doss was Philip Buchmeyer. He was a stonemason. His stepsons, Herman and Willie Lehmann, were famously kidnapped by Apache Native Americans. Willie was released quickly, but Herman stayed with the Apache for nine years. He even became an adopted son of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, a famous Native American leader. Herman's story is a well-known part of the area's history.
Climate in Doss
Doss has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot summers and generally mild winters. In the summer, temperatures can reach around 81°F (27.2°C). During winter, the average temperature is about 45°F (7.2°C).
| Climate data for Doss, Texas | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 88 (31) |
100 (38) |
98 (37) |
100 (38) |
105 (41) |
108 (42) |
107 (42) |
109 (43) |
108 (42) |
100 (38) |
92 (33) |
98 (37) |
109 (43) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 60 (16) |
65 (18) |
73 (23) |
80 (27) |
85 (29) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
94 (34) |
89 (32) |
80 (27) |
70 (21) |
61 (16) |
79 (26) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 45 (7) |
50 (10) |
57 (14) |
65 (18) |
72 (22) |
79 (26) |
82 (28) |
81 (27) |
76 (24) |
66 (19) |
56 (13) |
47 (8) |
65 (18) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 31 (−1) |
35 (2) |
42 (6) |
50 (10) |
59 (15) |
67 (19) |
69 (21) |
68 (20) |
63 (17) |
52 (11) |
42 (6) |
33 (1) |
51 (11) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 6 (−14) |
3 (−16) |
11 (−12) |
25 (−4) |
36 (2) |
46 (8) |
54 (12) |
51 (11) |
36 (2) |
26 (−3) |
14 (−10) |
3 (−16) |
3 (−16) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | .91 (23) |
1.97 (50) |
1.74 (44) |
2.05 (52) |
3.31 (84) |
4 (100) |
2 (51) |
2.52 (64) |
3 (76) |
3.01 (76) |
2.07 (53) |
1.37 (35) |
27.95 (708) |
| Source: The Weather Channel | |||||||||||||
Who Lives in Doss?
In 2000, Doss had a population of 225 people. Most residents were White. About 83% of the people were 18 years or older, and 27.6% were 65 or older. The median household income was about $35,625. Many adults in Doss had a high school diploma, and some had a bachelor's degree or higher.
Plants and Animals of Doss
The Doss area is home to many interesting plants and animals. You can find prickly pear cactus, pecan trees, and different kinds of oak and mesquite trees. In spring, the area is covered with beautiful wildflowers.
For animals, you might see farm animals like cows and goats. Wild animals include the unique armadillo and the Texas horned lizard. Nature lovers can also spot whitetail deer and many types of birds. Some of the birds you might see are spotted towhees, colorful painted buntings, hummingbirds, and different kinds of finches and sparrows.
Community Life in Doss
Doss has a strong community spirit, with local churches, a school, and a volunteer fire department.
Churches in Doss
- St. Peter Lutheran Church was founded in 1896. It's an important part of the community's history and even has a historical marker.
- Squaw Creek Primitive Baptist Church started in 1901. This church also has a historical marker, showing its importance to the area.
Doss School District
The Doss Consolidated Common School District is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The first school in Doss began in 1884. The land for the current school was given in 1894, and a small building was put up. A limestone schoolhouse was built in 1905, and the current main building was added in 1927.
Today, Doss Elementary School teaches students from kindergarten to 8th grade. The students put on plays every year, which is a fun tradition. These plays are often accompanied by a bake sale and raffle, raising money for local groups like the Doss 4H.
Doss Volunteer Fire Department
The Doss VFD is a very important part of the community. They hold an annual Fish Fry fundraiser every Labor Day Weekend. They fry almost 3,000 pounds of catfish! This big event helps raise money for the fire department, which moved into a new station building in 2015.
Doss General Store
The Doss General Store and Post Office used to be run by the Itz family. While the original store closed, a new Doss Country Store opened in 2001. It became a popular spot for hunters and locals to gather. People would sit on benches on the porch and watch cattle graze. Inside, old newspaper clippings under glass on the counters told stories of local events. This store later expanded to include a feed and hardware store and even a restaurant, which was featured in Texas Monthly magazine for its good food. However, this store also closed in 2014.
Iwo Jima Re-enactment
In 2005, the Welge Ranch in Doss hosted a special event: a re-enactment of the Battle of Iwo Jima. This was done to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the famous World War II battle. The event ended with a re-creation of the iconic moment when the American flag was raised on Mount Suribachi, which was re-enacted on Welge Point in Doss.
