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History in
a Pecan Shell
This town along
the Choctaw Route of the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway actually
began before the arrival of the railroad. The Lone Star school, established
in 1892 for the children of ranchers is said to be the first in the
Panhandle region.
The Fisher Brothers, Delzell and P. H., platted the town in 1905 and
the one-room schoolhouse was moved there.
The town was named in honor of a former county commissioner (H. B.
Conway).
A post office was granted in 1903 and moved into a store run by Edward
S. Carr in 1907.
After a consolidation with the Panhandle ISD, Conway's old brick school
building was used as a community center.
The population was a mere 25 in 1925, but by 1939 it had risen to
125.
The Handbook of Texas reports Conway had a population of 175
in 1969 but only 50 people in 1970. No explanation is given for the
drastic change. Perhaps someone from the area can inform our readers.
The post office was closed in 1976. |
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Photographer's
Note:
I first spotted pictures of the Conway
Bugg Ranch on Google Earth and put it on my Must See List. It
is a real rival to the Cadillac
Ranch
Back in about 1998 we were returning from visiting Kansas. There was
a snow storm. We made it fine until we got to I-40 out of Amarillo.
Strangest thing. As the storm blew through, it totally covered the
westbound lanes while eastbound was all clear. Guess the interstate
acted kind of like a snowfence, all the snow fell on WB. We were in
a traffic line that was miles long and our gas gage was on E. I never
was so glad to see an exit which was to Conway. At the time there
was one station that had gas. We got just enough to make it to Amarillo.
Every time I go by Conway I look at that station, now closed. It is
right next to the Bugg Ranch. - Barclay
Gibson, July 2009 |
Amarillo
Hotels ›
Book Hotel Here
Conway, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Conway, Texas
I do remember living in Conway when I was a small girl. I would
ride the school bus to Panhandle to go to school. I believe it was
1963 when I moved away from Conway to live in Plainview, Texas.
My dad worked at Conway Wheat Growers, and my mom worked as a waitress
in some of the small cafes there on Route 66. I do remember one
family with the last name of Callaghan who used to live there. They
owned quite a large bit of land (sections of land). I also remember
a couple named Delton and Earlene Smith who lived there in Conway.
I believe Delton worked for the county.
Lots of good childhood memories from Conway. The post office used
to be there and was run by a man named Ralph (I can't remember his
last name). He used to raise greyhound dogs and would take them
to race somewhere in New Mexico I believe.
Thanks for letting me share. If you have any info on anyone who
lived in Conway back then, it'd be absolutely wonderful to hear
about them and their experiences. - Linda (no last name given),
October 27, 2006
Subject:
Conway and EstacadoBR>
Town dried up after Interstate 40 routed a half mile north. My distant
cousins' family operated the motel, er, tourist court, there as
well as a cafe. Cousin Johnny made spare change at the filling station
running a wrecker service on Route 66. He chargesd rich folks plenty,
but a family in need he didn't charge at all.
I missed Estacado.
It's still there on the Crosby/Lubbock county line, and was once
a county seat for many counties back when. Gin still operating with
maybe 5 or 6 homes still occupied. Once a quaker settlement named
Marietta.
Thanks for an interesting [magazine]. Keep up the good work. - Benny
Poulson, Ralls, Texas, September 12, 2006
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Carson
County 1940s map showing Conway
near Armstrong
County lines
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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