Remains of facilities at the site of Lometa Reservoir, also known as Santa Fe Lake, reflect the role of the Santa Fe Railway Co. in area development. Lometa was established as a railroad town in the mid-1880s. When a second rail line came through in 1909, the railroads needed a water supply for steam locomotives. Completed in 1911-12, a dam backed the waters of Emory and Salt Creeks, and the resulting lake supplied water for trains and became a recreation area. The need for water declined as diesel engines replaced steam locomotives in the 20th century. The reservoir was taken out of service in the 1970s, but a new dam and lake were later built.