Waco, Texas story
Geyser City
Waco's early history as 'Geyser City' due to its abundance of artesian wells.
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Did you know Waco used to be called Geyser City? It sounds like something you'd find in Iceland or Yellowstone, but it's actually because of the water right beneath your feet. Back in 1886, a man named J.D.
Bell drilled the city's first artesian well, kicking off a water boom. Some of these wells were incredible. One recorded in 1890 was 1,800 feet deep and pumped out a staggering one and a half million gallons of water every single day.
For decades, these flowing wells provided drinking water for thousands of residents. J.D. Bell eventually started the Bell Water Company, which the city of Waco bought in 1904.
But the party ended in the 1920s when the wells beneath downtown began to run dry. This put a squeeze on local businesses, like the Crystal Palace pool, which relied on that natural flow. The geysers may be gone, but the nickname remains a quirky bit of local lore.
Updated June 2026