|
History
in a Pecan Shell
Hartley had been the county seat, but Channing
got the railroad. The frame courthouse in Hartley was put on wheels
and pulled 15 miles to Channing
by cowboys from the XIT
Ranch (and armed deputies). This was in 1903 and the deputies
were needed since there was strong opposition to the change of county
seats. Channing
was the headquarters of the XIT
Ranch.
The town's namesakes were the Brothers Hartley; Oliver Cromwell and
Rufus, early lawyers in the area. |
Photographer's
Note:
Another nice Panhandle town.
Don't know why I like road signs. I just do. Hartley and Channing
are two of my favorites. - Barclay
Gibson |
Former
Hartley County Jail
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, 1966
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, July 2009 |
First
Hartley County Jail
Built 1892, during land boom. Has not been used as jail since 1903.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, 1966 |
Historical landmark
fallen into disrepair
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, July 2009 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Historical Marker
Texas
Location - Channing
Hartley County
Courthouse
Hartley County
was created in January 1891, and an election held that year designated
the town of Hartley as county seat. A frame courthouse was built on
the town square. In October 1896, largely due to XIT
Ranch interests, a second election was held which resulted in
the removal of the county seat to Channing.
The frame courthouse was dismantled and moved to the new county seat,
where it was reconstructed.
In May 1905 the commissioners court approved the construction of a
new courthouse. Contracts were awarded to Solan & Wickens, contractors,
and O. G. Roquemore, architect. The 2-story, structure was completed
in October 1906 at a cost of $10,525. The beaux arts style building
features a triumphal arch on the front facade, native sandstone base,
and Roman Ionic paired columns. When completed, the top story provided
a courtroom and two offices, and there were five offices and a lobby
on the first floor. At the time of construction, the building was
served by its own water well and lighting system. A vault was added
to the county clerk's office in 1927. A second vault and jury dormitories
were built in 1935.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1987. |
1936
Centennial Highway Marker
Location: Hartley - U.S. 87
Hartley County
Formed from Young
and Bexar territories: Created, August 21, 1876. Organized, February
5, 1891. Named in honor of two brothers, Oliver Cromwell and Rufus
K. Hartley. Distinguished members of the Texas Bar. Hartley, the county
seat.
(1936) |
A Catholic mural
in Hartley
Photo
courtesy James Feagin, May 2001
See Texas Murals
|
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
