Borden County School District in Gail, Texas, on the edge of the Caprock Escarpment, is cut in two by the Colorado River. Borden County is the fourth-least populous county in Texas. Its 648 people are spread over 906.1 square miles creating a population density of 1.398 people per square mile. It’s sparse. If you don’t believe me, get in the car and go. You’ll find ground so beautiful it will take your breath away. And the people? About the same. The county is named after Gail Borden, Jr. Mr. Borden accumulated 1.5 years of formal schooling in New London, Indiana, traveled a torturous trail twisting over half the nation from New York to Texas and survived repeated business failures – and a bushel basket full of hard knocks. Through it all, he demonstrated tenacity and reverence for life that thrives in Borden County, crystallized in its capital and solitary city, Gail. It is his legacy. Borden lost some of his family to yellow fever in the 1840s, creating a lifelong interest in hygiene. Experience prodded him to find ways to more safely store milk. He patented condensed milk. The Borden Company (Elsie the cow) was named to honor him in 1899. His accomplishments include creating a number of other important food inventions, the establishment of churches, helping found Baylor University, Galveston, and, indeed, Texas. The county is named after Gail Borden, Jr. Mr. Borden accumulated 1.5 years of formal schooling in New London, Indiana, traveled a torturous trail twisting over half the nation from New York to Texas and survived repeated business failures – and a bushel basket full of hard knocks. Through it all, he demonstrated tenacity and reverence for life that thrives in Borden County, crystallized in its capital and solitary city, Gail. It is his legacy. Zach McMeans, a recent graduate of West Texas A&M University, is now a colleague in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences while working on a master’s degree. Borden County DNA is in his bloodline, along with a solid education from Borden County ISD. Its excellent people and facilities provide an auditorium that could seat nearly the whole county. His grandfather Mickey McMeans was the principal of Borden County High School for 44 years. His father, Bart McMeans held the same position for 16 years. Zach is a fourth-generation college graduate—rare at a public university. Zach is possibly the only fourth-generation college student currently enrolled at WT.
WT unapologetically values the legacy of place. Geographic legacy affects communities, families, and individuals, creating lively woven lattices of legacy.
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