History in
a Pecan Shell
Aberdeen, named
for the Earl of the same name, was, in the late 1880s, the headquarters
of a division of the English-owned Rocking
Chair Ranche. In 1889 a post office opened and being severely
short of “civilians,” a ranch foreman became the first postmaster.
In 1890, the year Collingworth
County was organized, the Aberdeen Townsite Company was formed
and a blacksmith and hotel opened for business. The following year
the first store opened, operated by Judge Edward H. Small, In addition
to his storekeeping duties, Small was also a doctor and banker.
Seeing that Aberdeen was in place before the county was organized,
it seemed a natural choice for county seat, but the first vote was
between the town of Pearl and Wellington.
That vote was declared void by the Texas Supreme Court and Aberdeen
went about making itself a suitable contender before the next election.
The English Ranch owners did their part. Lots were sold, a grocery
opened and a school was financed (but not yet built).
Wellington won the election and the vanquished town reverted back
to Rocking Chair ownership by June of 1891.
The story wasn’t over yet. The ranch became insolvent around 1900
and the land put up for sale. Potential settlers found the town
too isolated and the population became stagnant.
Aberdeen did
survive for a time. During WWII
the post office closed. From 1930 to 1960 the community maintained
a population of 25 with a store, church and school, however by 1963
it had become a ghost.
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