| Town of Amherst | Location: FM 37 in Amherst (next to city hall) Began in 1913 as a cattle-shipping point on Pecos and Northern Texas Railroad. Served the 300,000-acre Spring Lake Ranch, which was established in 1902 by W.E. "Colonel Bill" Halsell (1850-1934) and his son Ewing Halsell (1877-1965). According to local tradition the shipping point was named for Amherst College, Mass., alma mater of one of the railway officials. When, in 1923, the economy of the High Plains began to switch from ranching to farming, the Halsells divided much of their land to sell to the influx of new settlers. Farms could be bought for $25 an acre. They set aside land at the railroad depot for a town and donated lots for a school and churches. First permanent building was the Amherst Hotel, built by Halsell Land Company for prospective buyers and visitors. It also had space for a bank, general store, and office. For years it was the most popular hotel between Clovis, NM and Lubbock, TX. The first general store was opened in 1923, a post office in 1924, and the First National Bank in 1925. The town's first newspaper was the "Argus". By 1930 Amherst had a population of 964. Today (1972) citizens number 835 and the economy is based on cotton and grain, hog raising and cattle feeding. (1972) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Comanchero Trail | Location: from Littlefield take SH 54 west, about 8 miles to marker One of several routes used by traders dealing with Indians, primarily Comanches (hence name). Weapons, whiskey and trade goods were swapped for stolen Texas cattle, horses and captives. Pursuit apparently begun in the 1760s, when Mexican hunters ventured out on "Staked Plains" (Indian domain) to hunt buffalo for New Mexico meat markets. Early explorers Zebulon Pike (1807), Josiah Gregg (1830) and Captain R. B.Marcy (1848) told of finding Comanchero campsites and wagon trails on the plains. The Comancheros ceased to operate in the mid-1870s. (1970) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| First Lamb County Courthouse | Location: southeast corner 8th & Main Streets, Olton Created in 1876, Lamb County was unorganized until it could muster 21 qualified voters, 1908. Citizens donated labor for first 9-room frame courthouse, which served until it burned in 1922. First county officials were: Judge H. R. Miller; Commissioners, J. A. Hooper (Precinct No. 1), Claude E. Halsell (No. 2), G. M. Arnett (No. 3), Walter Sullivan (No. 4); sheriff, Herb Dickenson; clerk, George Gallaway; treasurer, Fred Schreier; assessor, Luther Williams. A new courthouse of brick and concrete was built here, 1922-23. After a 1946 election, the county seat was removed to Littlefield. (1972) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Earth | Location: US 70, 2 blocks east of traffic light (south side of road) in Earth Before white men entered this region in late 19th century, nomadic Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa Indians followed the buffalo from water hole to water hole. A favorite Indian camp was at a spring (5 miles west), near which the Springlake headquarters of the XIT Ranch were located in the 1890s. William Electious Halsell (1850-1934) purchased Springlake Division in 1901. Halsell and his son, Ewing Halsell (1877-1965), established the 300,00-acre Mashed O Ranch in 1902. When the economic base of the High Plains began to shift from ranching to farming, and other large ranches were being sold for the plow, the Halsells, in 1923, offered a portion of their land for sale to new settlers. Sale of fertile rangelands attracted many farmers from the midwest, where land prices were soaring. The Halsell family selected this site for a new settlement in August 1924, built a hotel, cotton gin, and school, and named it, "Fairlawn". When the post office opened in 1925, the names "Fairlawn" and "Tulsa" were rejected, and "Earth" chosen. Marshall Kelley was appointed first postmaster. Earth soon had several churches and business enterprises. Earth was incorporated in 1946, and continues to... (1973) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| First Irrigation Well | Location: US 70, 4.7 miles west of Earth Dug by hand in 1902 for crops, cattle, and household use of Ewing Halsell (1877-1965), son of land promoter and settler W. E. Halsell, an irrigation ditch carried water half a mile to headquarters of Halsell's "Mashed O" Ranch. Six feet in diameter but only 30 feet deep, well is no longer in operation. (1972) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Major George Littlefield | Location: Northwest city limits, U.S. 84 Came to Texas 1850. In Civil War, with Terry's Texas Rangers fought at Shiloh, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and other bloody battles. Helped open South Plains, the Panhandle and New Mexico to ranching. His "LIT" and "LFD" herds were famed all over the west and in Canada. Became Austin banker, devoted friend and benefactor to the University of Texas. Financed studies, donated property and established the Littlefield grant for Southern History. Founded town of Littlefield. Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Franklin A. Loyd | Location: Littlefield Cemetery Born in Montague County. Taking office as sheriff in 1935, he served with honor until mortally wounded in line of duty. His widow, Mrs. Grace Owen Loyd, served remainder of term. He was father of 8 children. Recorded, 1968 Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Trails of Ranald S. MacKenzie | Location: from Fieldton, take FM 1072 south, about .5 miles Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie (1840-89) of the United States Army was ordered in the 1870s to conquer Indians of Texas frontiers. He led 240 enlisted men and eight officers in an expedition along the draw here. Heading toward New Mexico, he hoped to break up a ring of traders paying Indians to steal cattle and horses. He marched past this point about August 1, 1872, in a swift, secret move against the traders. The path beaten out by his men was serviceable later to scouts and settlers. Its traces are still known as Mackenzie's Trail. (1977) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| North Spade Ranch Headquarters | (1910-1924) Ranch bought, 1891 by I. L. Ellwood, barbed wire developer. Sold 1924 for farms. Social Center Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Old Watering Trough | on US 84 between Commerce & Main Streets-Sudan; marker faces dirt access road One of Sudan's oldest structures. Built 1916, when Santa Fe Railway terminus here shipped out cattle of early ranches. Here ranchers watered herds and horses, traded, told yarns, hired hands. Trough also served mule teams, after the farming era began in the 1920's. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966 Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Olton's Union Church Bell | Location: Marker moved Jun. 2007 to Sand Crawl Museum. Previously located at church building at 10th and Ave E. When the Soash Land Company founded Olton in 1908, lots were provided for a school, church and bank. Residents of the new town erected a Union church for all denominations about 1909. Soon afterward, they purchased this 950-pound steel bell. Its tones called worshipers from miles around. In 1928, a tornado destroyed the bell tower. The Methodist congregation bought the bell and moved it to a new building at 10th and Avenue E in 1934. In 1958 they sold the property and bell to the Church of the Nazarene. (1978) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Rocky Ford Crossing and Community | Location: from Littlefield, take US 385, about 12 miles north to Rocky Road site The 840-mile Brazos River was both friend and foe to settlers. Here, near the source of Double Mountain Fork, after XIT Ranch was sold to smaller operators about 1912, the river that had attracted settlers was found to obstruct wet-weather travel. In 1926, the settlers built a gyp-rock road across the valley and lined the river bed with rock, to make a passable road. They also built a tabernacle for church, elections, and other gatherings. New roads bypass Rocky Ford, yet the community still thrives. (1976) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Sand Hills of Lamb Co. | Location: from Springlake take US 385 south, about 6.2 miles to marker A natural landmark, this chain of sand dunes extends for 130 miles and is three to five miles wide. Archeological findings show that the area was inhabited 6,000 years ago. Comanches camped in the sand hills because of wild game, vegetation, protection from the wind, and the availability of water. Spanish explorers and later Anglo-Americans used the old Indian trails that passed along the dunes. Early ranching did little damage to the area. However, in recent years, the sand hills have been destroyed by extensive farming and industrial operations. (1979) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Sod House Spring | Location: 5 mi. S from Earth on FM 1055, 1 mi. E on CR 172 Indian camp and watering place. Took its name from first sod house built in 1876 by George and John Causey and Frank Lloyd, buffalo hunters. First permanent settlement in this region. In 1882 a cow camp was established at this point by Estes brothers who grazed cattle in the vicinity until the property was acquired by the Capitol Syndicate. Erected by the State of Texas - 1936 Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| SpringLake | Location: from Earth take US 70, about 5 miles west to marker Indian camp and watering place extensively used in hunting buffalo. Became cattle territory in 1882 when Tom Lynch drove his herds from New Mexico. After acquisition by the Capitol Syndicate this became headquarters of largest division of the XIT Ranch. (1936) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Springlake Cemetery | Location: rom Springlake take US 385 north 2 miles; to FM 2901, head west on 2901, 2 miles and turn north onto county road, about 1.3 miles to cemetery This burial ground served the original residents of Springdale Community. The area was opened for settlement in 1908 by the George C. Wright Land Company. It was named for the nearby Springlake Ranch. D. B. Shipley donated the first two acres for the cemetery. The first burial took place in 1909. Of the 356 known graves, five are unmarked. The community of Springlake was relocated in 1935, 4.75 miles southeast. The town once had a hotel, supply store, school and post office, but only the cemetery remains at the original site. (1980) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Springlake-Earth School | Location: from Springlake take US 385 north about 3 miles; turn west onto county road; continue about 1 mile to school (in 202-Square-Mile District) Opened 1908 as one-room school, Springlake became an independent district in 1924 when Halsell ranch land sold to settlers and local population increased. Enlarged school opened 1925 in new $30,000 brick structure on site bought from J. F. Kelley. E. C. Martin was superintendent; Otis Brown, M. E. Cleavinger, Earl Hewitt, Arthur Edwards, George Linville, H. M. Packard, W. C. White, trustees. Band and football squad were organized and school paper begun in 1928. Enrollment, curriculum and school plant continue to expand. "Earth" was added to the school name in March 1964. (1972) Source: Texas Historical Commission |
| Replica of XIT's Giant Windmill | Location: on US 84 at intersection with Delano Street, Littlefield Yellowhouse division of 3,050,000-acre XIT Ranch built (1887) a 132-foot windmill southwest of here. Set in a canyon, it had to be tall to catch breezes and pump water. It was known as the world's tallest windmill until it was toppled by winds in 1926. This replica was erected May 27, 1969. (1970) Source: Texas Historical Commission |