Flagler Well #1, Flagler Town Well
Location: Flagler
County: Kit Carson County
Date Constructed: 1934
Built by: WPA
Architectural Description:
The concrete well is approximately 100’ deep and 6’ wide. The well is identified by a short 12’x14’ concrete well-house. The well-house has a non-historic metal gable roof with a hinged door on the west side. The south gable has a small boarded-over window/vent opening.
Historical Background:
This well was completed by the CWA, the predecessor to the WPA program. It was one of the earliest New Deal work-relief projects due to the severe drought in the area. Digging of the well provided fifteen hours a week of work for eighteen local men. Originally, the plans called for an 80’ deep well, but the depth was changed to approximately 100’ in order to increase the water flow. The flow was first reported at 400 gallons per minute, but was reduced to 120 gpm by 1947, and later fell to 90 gpm. The well is still in use today by area farmers and ranchers as supplemental water.